Can an intellectual obtain wisdom and heavenly knowledge?

[Robert_Sock]

I think not; at least not easily. Humility, a contrite heart and heavenly contemplation are much more important in obtaining true wisdom. Worldly intellectualism, I believe, is vanity. Those who on this philosophy forum who fill themselves with intellectual matters, beware.

BEWARE VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE
I am He Who in one moment so enlightens the humble mind that it comprehends more of eternal truth than could be learned by ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words or clash of opinions, without ambition for honor or confusion of argument.
I am He Who teaches man to despise earthly possessions and to loathe present things, to ask after the eternal, to hunger for heaven, to fly honors and to bear with scandals, to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing apart from Me, and to love Me ardently above all things. For a certain man by loving Me intimately learned divine truths and spoke wonders. He profited more by leaving all things than by studying subtle questions.
-The Imitation of Christ

HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
-The Imitation of Christ

The above quotes from The Imitation of Christ contains the bread crumbs leading to true wisdom and heavenly knowledge.

LOVE!

 

[meltzerboy]

I think not; at least not easily. Humility, a contrite heart and heavenly contemplation are much more important in obtaining true wisdom. Worldly intellectualism, I believe, is vanity. Those who on this philosophy forum who fill themselves with intellectual matters, beware.

BEWARE VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE
I am He Who in one moment so enlightens the humble mind that it comprehends more of eternal truth than could be learned by ten years in the schools. I teach without noise of words or clash of opinions, without ambition for honor or confusion of argument.
I am He Who teaches man to despise earthly possessions and to loathe present things, to ask after the eternal, to hunger for heaven, to fly honors and to bear with scandals, to place all hope in Me, to desire nothing apart from Me, and to love Me ardently above all things. For a certain man by loving Me intimately learned divine truths and spoke wonders. He profited more by leaving all things than by studying subtle questions.
-The Imitation of Christ

HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
-The Imitation of Christ

The above quotes from The Imitation of Christ contains the bread crumbs leading to true wisdom and heavenly knowledge.

LOVE!

You may be speaking of pseudo-intellectuals. True intellectuals, I believe, are open-minded to wisdom and intuitive knowledge which is not merely for its own sake. If you think not, what about the great philosophical Fathers of the Church such as St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as Jewish scholars such as Maimonides or exceptional theologians including Pope Benedict XVI? Didn’t people such as these combine knowledge with wisdom?

 

[Robert_Sock]

You may be speaking of pseudo-intellectuals. True intellectuals, I believe, are open-minded to wisdom and intuitive knowledge which is not merely for its own sake. If you think not, what about the great philosophical Fathers of the Church such as St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as Jewish scholars such as Maimonides or exceptional theologians including Pope Benedict XVI? Didn’t people such as these combine knowledge with wisdom?

Yes, an intellectual may gain wisdom and heavenly knowledge and understanding, but in such cases it was not through intellectualism per se, but through one’s contemplative prayers.

This way I believe Saint Thomas Aquinas devalued his writings near his death.

On 6 December, 1273, he laid aside his pen and would write no more. That day he experienced an unusually long ecstasy during Mass; what was revealed to him we can only surmise from his reply to Father Reginald, who urged him to continue his writings: “I can do no more. Such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value.”
-Saint Thomas Aquinas

Does anybody become truly wise by merely studying the writings of religious philosophers?

LOVE!

 

[meltzerboy]

Yes, an intellectual may gain wisdom and heavenly knowledge and understanding, but in such cases it was not through intellectualism per se, but through one’s contemplative prayers.

This way I believe Saint Thomas Aquinas devalued his writings near his death.

On 6 December, 1273, he laid aside his pen and would write no more. That day he experienced an unusually long ecstasy during Mass; what was revealed to him we can only surmise from his reply to Father Reginald, who urged him to continue his writings: “I can do no more. Such secrets have been revealed to me that all I have written now appears to be of little value.”
-Saint Thomas Aquinas

Does anybody become truly wise by merely studying the writings of religious philosophers?

LOVE!

As the Talmud advises: “Studying is not the ultimate, but the doing.” However, that does not mean the writings of religious and even secular philosophers should be ignored. We want a broad education to better realize what we are doing and how and why we are doing it. I don’t think we can depend only on contemplative prayer, just as we cannot depend only on philosophy: we need both, and more.

 

[Robert_Sock]

As the Talmud advises: “Studying is not the ultimate, but the doing.” However, that does not mean the writings of religious and even secular philosophers should be ignored. We want a broad education to better realize what we are doing and how and why we are doing it. I don’t think we can depend only on contemplative prayer, just as we cannot depend only on philosophy: we need both, and more.

It’s “intellectualism” that I’m really talking about. It’s a matter of degree: How much intellectual material does one need to digest before contemplative prayer takes over one’s soul? Surely one needs the scriptures and other holy writings, but to pleasure oneself with intellectual matters is vanity. Ideally, one ought to read and study only to the degree that it brings one’s soul to true devotion to God, but to read and study non-religious matters as a means of livelihood, which is necessary for one’s service of God in this world, may indeed be undertaken.

Ultimately, every action ought to be made to save our soul and the souls of others.

LOVE!

 

[Beryllos]

It’s “intellectualism” that I’m really talking about. It’s a matter of degree: How much intellectual material does one need to digest before contemplative prayer takes over one’s soul? Surely one needs the scriptures and other holy writings, but to pleasure oneself with intellectual matters is vanity. Ideally, one ought to read and study only to the degree that it brings one’s soul to true devotion to God, but to read and study non-religious matters as a means of livelihood, which is necessary for one’s service of God in this world, may indeed be undertaken.

Ultimately, every action ought to be made to save our soul and the souls of others.

LOVE!

You have a narrow and possibly distorted view of intellectuals, or else a different definition than mine. Each person has different gifts or talents. What does it take to be an “intellectual”? Likes to learn, thinks critically, has high standards. These aren’t bad things. Like any strength or any tool, they can be used for good or evil. Intellectuals feed the hungry, cure the sick, and translate ancient scriptures. I don’t see why intellectuals couldn’t also gain wisdom and heavenly knowledge.

 

[Robert_Sock]

You have a narrow and possibly distorted view of intellectuals, or else a different definition than mine. Each person has different gifts or talents. What does it take to be an “intellectual”? Likes to learn, thinks critically, has high standards. These aren’t bad things. Like any strength or any tool, they can be used for good or evil. Intellectuals feed the hungry, cure the sick, and translate ancient scriptures. I don’t see why intellectuals couldn’t also gain wisdom and heavenly knowledge.

Like with the Internet, gambling and pornography, people can easily get addicted to intellectualism. The point I’m trying to drive home is that true wisdom and heavenly knowledge and understanding does not come from intellectualism per se, but only as a grace from God that is granted through prayerful contemplation along with true righteousness that comes from a contrite spirit and humility. Intellectualism, in itself, is a false God.

LOVE!