I've always been someone who treasured knowledge. I like knowing things. I like reading about things and retaining that knowledge. This usually only for things that interested me, however. Sometimes I would force myself to read something I didnt like, but I never could retain knowledge for those topics so I found that to be a futile sport.
I was very happy with this arrangement and enjoyed consuming books and books of information. The past 2 months, 2 people have mentioned that knowing for the sake of just knowing isnt a good reason to learn. On both occasions I had nothing to say. Its true that learning for the sake of knowledge doesnt lead anywhere, like the Dead Sea where water only runs in but not out (and hence its incredible saltiness and lack of life forms).
One remark was, "Knowledge puffs up". A well known verse in the Bible and one which I have read the remedy for. Apparently what you need to do is to use that knowledge and live it out. Or teach it. Use it and dont just keep it for the sake of archival interests. The reason I was stuck for words on that occasion is because I was thinking, "does this mean you should stop learning until you have managed to live out what you learnt in that one time?"
I have since come to the conclusion that that would be a rather silly way of getting about for a number of reasons:
1) change happens very slowly and waiting until you have completely changed your ways or applied the bit of wisdom/information would retard your growth. Maybe you would have mastered one deformity of your character by the time you died, but you would have neglected the rest out of ignorance
2) when you allow yourself to slack off, you fall into a habit of laziness and your brain becomes rusty. What a waste of intelligence. And if your character will not allow you that vice, you end up pouring your energy into things that are meaningless and worthless, especially in terms of eternity
3) if going to conferences and talks for the sake of knowledge isnt good enough, then what DO you go to them for? Fellowship - well isnt fellowship in the church sufficient for the reflection of the heavenly ekklesia? Why do you feel like you need to seek more? Why is this reason a better reason than going for knowledge?
I probably could think of more reasons if I thought for long enough but that would be a waste of my time because its essentially finding fault in something which I feel is wrong already anyway. Hence, my opinion is that learning for the sake of learning is perfectly fine because I doubt that all that knowledge will be solely retained for the sake of pride anyway. I do admit that I am a rather proud person, but somehow I doubt that the most of it is due to the little knowledge I own.
I will not stop learning, even if the opinions against it came from good friends of mine. We are all human and subject to folly. For this issue, I stand firm in learning as much as I want and can, even if its for the sake of wanting to know more.
I was very happy with this arrangement and enjoyed consuming books and books of information. The past 2 months, 2 people have mentioned that knowing for the sake of just knowing isnt a good reason to learn. On both occasions I had nothing to say. Its true that learning for the sake of knowledge doesnt lead anywhere, like the Dead Sea where water only runs in but not out (and hence its incredible saltiness and lack of life forms).
One remark was, "Knowledge puffs up". A well known verse in the Bible and one which I have read the remedy for. Apparently what you need to do is to use that knowledge and live it out. Or teach it. Use it and dont just keep it for the sake of archival interests. The reason I was stuck for words on that occasion is because I was thinking, "does this mean you should stop learning until you have managed to live out what you learnt in that one time?"
I have since come to the conclusion that that would be a rather silly way of getting about for a number of reasons:
1) change happens very slowly and waiting until you have completely changed your ways or applied the bit of wisdom/information would retard your growth. Maybe you would have mastered one deformity of your character by the time you died, but you would have neglected the rest out of ignorance
2) when you allow yourself to slack off, you fall into a habit of laziness and your brain becomes rusty. What a waste of intelligence. And if your character will not allow you that vice, you end up pouring your energy into things that are meaningless and worthless, especially in terms of eternity
3) if going to conferences and talks for the sake of knowledge isnt good enough, then what DO you go to them for? Fellowship - well isnt fellowship in the church sufficient for the reflection of the heavenly ekklesia? Why do you feel like you need to seek more? Why is this reason a better reason than going for knowledge?
I probably could think of more reasons if I thought for long enough but that would be a waste of my time because its essentially finding fault in something which I feel is wrong already anyway. Hence, my opinion is that learning for the sake of learning is perfectly fine because I doubt that all that knowledge will be solely retained for the sake of pride anyway. I do admit that I am a rather proud person, but somehow I doubt that the most of it is due to the little knowledge I own.
I will not stop learning, even if the opinions against it came from good friends of mine. We are all human and subject to folly. For this issue, I stand firm in learning as much as I want and can, even if its for the sake of wanting to know more.
1 comment:
Hey Shereen, I know we'll talk about this further at a later point but I thought I'd quickly make some comments on your post.
Firstly, the point of that conversation was not that you should stop learning until you can apply those things that you have already learnt. That would be like saying, stop breathing until you have used up all the air you have already breathed (loose analogy I know).
Secondly, the three reasons you have outlined do present a case for not ceasing to learn, but they don't really give any support for why gaining knowledge is so important or necessary.
Thirdly, I really want to ask why you believe learning for the sake of knowledge as the end point is permissible. Would it not be similar to earning money for the sake of having riches? Thus I find that learning purely for the sake of knowledge is a selfish act.
Fourthly, I have no problem with knowledge itself. I love to learn new things too and in particular, more and more about the great God who created me. But what use is having a head crammed with marvelous information when your heart is dead? I think knowledge needs to lead to understanding which leads to a more personal relationship with our Lord. I don't remember where that bible passage is but when I find it, I'll let you know.
=)
From: You know who it is.
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