It is therefore better, as I have said, that one should have no knowledge whatever of any one reason why a single thing in creation has been made, but should believe in God, and continue in His love, than that, puffed up through knowledge of this kind, he should fall away from that love which is the life of man; and that he should search after no other knowledge except [the knowledge of] Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was crucified for us, than that by subtle questions and hair-splitting expressions he should fall into impiety.
Irenaeus , 125-202 AD, Against All Heresies, Book II, Chapter XXVI, 1 ( Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume I, Philip Schaff, edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2001, p. 570)
What kind of search for knowledge is problematic for the Christian? How might we avoid it?
We’re Always Coming Back to the Gospel
13 hours ago
It seems that there was once a preoccupation with heretical knowledge. Even today some seem to be drawn to heresy hunting - I mean apologetics. It reminds me that we all have way more in common than the things that seem to separate brothers and sisters in Christ.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think that a knowledge that is not centered on the teachings and ministry of Jesus is problematic. This kind of knowledge seems to divide us and provide fodder for the enemy.
I appreciate the ways that we discuss our theological differences here. Reading your views helps me to learn and understand. And sometimes (heaven help us) I actually change my views. ツ
Hope your weekend is off to a great start Mike!
It sounds to me like you are reacting more to the title of the book then the quote. While I have written somewhat before on the subject, dealing with the whole subject of heresy, heresy hunting and apologetics or the value of Irenaeus' book (in my understanding one of the only two we have from him and the most valuable for understanding his theology) is much too big a subject for a combox response to a post that is mainly on something else. Perhaps sometime I can write a post on the subject and we can discuss it. But I am glad you appreciate my approach. : )
DeleteHope you are having a good weekend too.
Sorry about that Mike. I thought that the context of "knowledge" in the quote was heresy.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of knowledge do you think that Irenaeus was writing about? Probably not a scientific flavor? Maybe knowledge from experience? Maybe a first hand knowledge of sin?
In general, I think that knowledge is a good thing when it is combined with humility. Sometimes however (as it is in the case of evolution) church people often see knowledge as something that leads people away from God. I am not in that camp though.
Of course the stuff that is the best is not knowledge but knowing - as in knowing God.
If I understand Irenaeus correctly, he is talking about putting what we would today call scientific knowledge before knowing God. Which sounds like you and he basically agree. Sorry if I picked a quote that was hard to understand.
DeleteNot sure what science Irenaeus had back then Mike. Sometimes I am embarrassed by the way that the church has treated science and scientists. Even these days fundamentalists seem to lock in on explanations of Genesis that I cringe a bit at.
DeleteThe "science" in Irenaeus' day was called philosophy, but was in many ways as detailed as our current theories. They were in many respects wrong, but I wonder how well our current theories will stand up 2000 years hence. I do not see Irenaeus so much as opposing science as not letting it become a barrier to knowing God. If you want to deal with the whole subject of evolution I can, but it is a complicated issue and may take a while.
DeleteNot too interested in debating Genesis. I am happy with "In the beginning God created". ツ
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