Brakelite
Well-Known Member
All of which begs the question, why is it that in those nations that are advanced scientifically, having the advantage of invention and technology, such as Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe, are turning away from Christianity. While in those nations that are poor, generally uneducated, and the majority in some cases living under totalitarian conditions wherein only the top 1% have the advantages we have, even living in the context of tribal culture still, such as Papua New Guinea, Africa, South East Asia, South And Central America, even China, are taking to the gospel in their hundreds and thousands. Science if anything is having a negative effect regarding the gospel. Which is a real time and real world reflection of the biblical statement...People of ancient times needed a prophet working miracles to know God is real.
Those of today can know the answer by making a sincere effort to seek truth/knowledge. The answers have been written across books that were published and the internet. Digging through things that are untrue is necessary to find truth. But it can be known with a little time and effort.
Starting salary for many scientists is $30,000 a year. They're paid less than managers at mcdonalds. Yet some scientists afford luxury cars, big houses and expensive trips. How?
There is nothing remarkable about the culture or political implications of science in this day and age. Their format is a standard trend for most of history.
What is noteworthy is the trend of many christians adopting a strategy of distancing themselves as much as possible from science, politics and knowledge. A policy of isolationism in an attempt to use ignorance and entitlement as shields.
Jesus said: you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Many christians have adopted a stance opposite to Jesus' words. They believe truth/fact is a burden. They're better off distancing themselves from it, and knowing nothing.
If knowing the truth sets us free.
Choosing to not know truth could naturally enslave us?
Should we be surprised if that set of choices produce those results?
Looking around the world countries with low levels of education correlate highly with corruption, crime and oppression. Lesser knowledge is associated with negative trends in society.
Long story short Jesus gave us the answer to maintaining freedom and solving our problems 2,000 years ago. "Know the truth and be free."
Knowledge = freedom.
Yet for whatever reason the gist of it hasn't really caught on over the last 2,000 years.
Maybe people prefer to be oppressed and persecuted rather than have freedom considering the choices I see people make almost always lead in that direction.
KJV 1 Corinthians 1:18-29
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in h
is presence.