A Catholic writer wrote of his experiences with his teachings of Jesus’ life over the years to Christians and non Christians alike. He was always astounded, in a good way, when the non Christians, especially of the Jewish faith, walked away in amazement, not conversion amazement maybe, but amazement nevertheless, of the sacrifice that this man made for all of humanity. No one left unmoved after such talks of the life of Christ.
Well, smartness on one field, doesn’t make a disbeliever “smart” altogether. I for instance am “smart” in sculpturing but silly in techniques and mathematics. In our thoughts however, the point is not clever in one subject and daft in another, but here we talk about the fundaments of life. All that makes the difference of to be or not to be. A wisdom that lays beyond all human reason. (Phil 4,7 - the peace of God, which passes all understanding).
I once had the privilege of giving an account of the life and teaching of Jesus to very poor, humble villagers in Northern Nigeria who had never heard of Christianity. I felt very humbled when they thanked me, asked me to return and give them more information. They are by no means simple - and certainly not “smart” from a Western point of view - but they appreciate the things in life that really matter because they are not divorced from reality in an artificial man-made environment…Perhaps I misunderstood something here. The Dali Lama is intelligent in a well rounded way. And not a Christian. That is not a case of being narrow minded. That is a case of not being a Christian. Is the opposite of smart narrow mindedness? Is an adult with an IQ of 60 narrow minded?
I also think that the word itself “smart” is more of a description of how one person feels about another. And those feelings can be some what situational; a person that is able to do extremely well in one environment can completely fail in another (ex: a person that did extremely well in corporate environments may not do so well if she finds herself stranded in the wilderness, or a person that did well in the wilderness may not do so well in some other environment).I take issue with the thread title. These are not mutually exclusive categories. I know lots of smart Christians.
Me too. I know many less-than-smart Christians, some brilliant non Christians, as well as brilliant Christians and less-than-smart non Christians.I take issue with the thread title. These are not mutually exclusive categories. I know lots of smart Christians.
Not all unbelievers are hardened. I was raised by atheist parents. I never set out reject Christianity.
What about the WISDOM OF LOVE? That is the language and knowlege everybody can relate to. People don’t care about WHAT YOU KNOW … until they KNOW YOU CARE
If they have the time and inclination! They may have a different vocation which teaches by example rather than reasoning.I have nothing against learning history. However, the historical fact that someone said something does not mean that he was right. If your intention was just to teach me some arbitrary history, then your post was nothing more than non sequitur.wanstronian
You seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that quoting an arbitrary 18th century philosopher who happens to share your views on a specific subject, adds weight to your argument!?
Perhaps I was laboring under the misapprehension that you would like to learn a little history.
Obviously a lot is misunderstood in this thread, and smartness is being put on one level with secular “normal” intelligence. Well, in that case we can also talk if Satan is smart, for truly his IQ is beyond and exeeds all worldly intelligence.
Au contraire c’est la mort!Wanstronian
**I have nothing against learning history. However, the historical fact that someone said something does not mean that he was right. If your intention was just to teach me some arbitrary history, then your post was nothing more than non sequitur. **
It would be as much of a non sequitur to say that just because somebody said something, that means he was wrong. With a flick of the wrist you dismiss Voltaire along with God.
C’est la vie!
The OP contrasts wisdom with knowledge:
This is reflected in the title “Christian vs smart people” - which implies that in this context smartness is not a virtue but a vice, like “cunning” or “wily”.
Western Christianity today is infected with a Leftist worldview…ie…that the world is divided between the MANIPULATIVE and the EMPATHETIC. Consequently, many Christian Leftists are outright dismissive of any they deem unEmpathetic. Such people are quickly dismissed as:
You’re right, it would be. And I didn’t. So having previously committed the Argument from (Arbitrary) Authority fallacy, you are now following up with a glaring Straw Man fallacy.
I quite clearly haven’t, you’re just manipulating my response. That’s pretty dishonest, don’t you think?