IS IGNORANCE AN EXCUSE? PARTIALLY!

The answer to this question also bears upon a greater question: Is God just?

Although Paul had admitted that he had been the worst sinner, he also claimed that he had received God’s mercy because he had an excuse - ignorance:

• ...though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ‭‭(1 Timothy‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭ASV‬)

However, Paul also taught that we are all “without excuse” for rejecting God, because we have the evidences of God’s existence and even His character:

• For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭1:20-21‬)

On the surface, this seems like a contradiction. However, it seems that this paradox can be resolved once we recognize that Scripture makes important distinctions between levels of ignorance. Some ignorance is far more guilt-worthy than others.

Jesus told the Pharisees that their sin would never be forgiven. Why not? Because they had witnessed many of His miracles and had willfully hardened themselves against the evidence, ascribing, without evidence, Jesus’ miracles to Satan rather than to the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12). He also condemned the Israelite towns that had seen His miracles more than the Gentle towns which had not:

• Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭11:20-22‬ )

Jesus explicitly taught that rejecting the greater light or evidence brings greater guilt and condemnation:

“And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭12:47-48; John 15:22-24‬)

Although ignorance is an excuse, no one is perfectly ignorant. All have some light but reject it in favor of the darkness (John 3:19-20).

We find this same principle operating throughout the Scriptures. Peter informed the skeptical crowds about the crucifixion and their culpability:

• “And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭3:17)‬

They couldn’t have been perfectly ignorant, but they were more ignorant than the Pharisees who had been meticulously investigating Jesus. Therefore, while on the Cross, Jesus prayed that His crucifiers would be forgiven for they didn’t really know what they were doing (Luke 23:34).

We are also reminded that rejecting Jesus is far more serious than rejecting Moses’ revelation:

• See that ye refuse not him [Jesus] that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him [Moses] that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven. ‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭12:25‬)

• For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? ‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭2:2-4‬)

This principle also seems to pertain to those who had never met Jesus, suggesting that, to some degree, we are all accountable.

Whenever the greater light or evidence is rejected, there is greater judgment. Therefore, when I am asked, “Will your god condemn everyone to hell if they don’t believe is Jesus,” I simply respond, “I trust that God will be just.”

KNOWING TRUTH WITH CERTAINTY

Differences of opinion do not mean that uncertainty is the final verdict. Some even take these differences to mean that there is no truth:

·       Everyone has a different opinion. Therefore, there is no truth.

I simply ask, is this statement true? If she says, “Yes,” then I point out that, “Evidently, you do believe in truth.”

There will always be differences. The guilty always proclaim their innocence, but we have more sure guides to truth. This is why we have juries, testimonies, and evidences. Without certainty, we cannot have any justice, love, or anything necessary for society to thrive. With uncertainty, we are left with the disaffected and apathetic, “I don’t know; who can know?”

If there is no certainty or truth, then Jesus is no better than Hitler; propaganda and lies are no better than honesty. If this is so, then just go to bed and await your last breathe.

But can we know truth? Certainly! In fact, any denial of truth requires a truth statement. Therefore, truth cannot be denied. Consequently, when someone tells me, “There is no way to know for sure,” I ask them, “Do you know that for sure?”

But can we truly know the truth? I enjoy the books called “Magic Eye.” They have computer generated markings that contain a hidden image. You can only see it if you let your eyes go out of focus, and sometimes the image appears. If you have any doubts about seeing it, you can go to the back of the book where the answers are revealed.

Do I know that I perceive reality? Yes! How? I see the image and then it is confirmed for me.

The same principle also pertains to spiritual truth. Although it might be difficult to attain, it is attainable, as Jesus had taught:

·       To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Knowing the truth doesn’t just happen. It is a product of following Jesus. Why doesn’t it just happen? Don’t we all want it? Not at all! Instead, we have an aversion to the truth, even to the point of denying that it exists. Why? It reveals what we don’t want revealed, as Jesus had taught:

·       This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

Normally, we hate the light. It exposes our wrinkles and blemishes, even worse, it exposes what we truly have become. And we need not even believe in Jesus to know this. Winston S. Churchill, among many others, had observed:

·       Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.

The truth about ourselves knocks us down. We cannot tolerate it. No wonder the differing opinions. They grow in the darkness like poisonous mushrooms. However, when you know the truth, you know it. How? It will set you free. It is like putting on a correct set of lens, which bring everything into sharp focus. This is what the truth will do.

However, we must desire truth above all else:

·       If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:3-6)

ATTAINING WISDOM

Wisdom and knowledge are precious gifts:

·       Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech. (Proverbs 2:9-12; ESV)

From where does wisdom come? The preceding verses in Proverbs explain:

·       If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. (Proverbs 2:3-8)

Wisdom and knowledge are truly sweet. Today, I was observing birds flying back-and-forth, against the wind and with it. They soared and dived in what seemed to be an effortless display of ease.

The wind was so fierce that I could hardly ride my bike against it, yet these birds were clearly reveling in its fierceness. Despite their diminutive size, they seemed to navigate the wind without a hitch. What knowledge did they have that I lacked? Whatever this knowledge was, they were able to convert what I had experienced as a major obstacle into a source of pleasure.

The wisdom that comes from God also enables us to fruitfully navigate the winds of life. Why then isn’t everyone pursuing wisdom?

Wisdom comes with a price-tag. Wisdom requires that, in order to receive her, we must step out into the light of self-examination, something that few are willing and able to do. Proverbs informs us that wisdom comes with a rebuke. It tells us what is wrong with ourselves:

·       “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” (Proverbs 1:22-23)

I too hated knowledge. I couldn’t bear to see myself as I truly was. Instead, I too was a “scoffer.” I built myself up by subtly putting others down. I caused pain but had convinced myself that I was entitled to do this.

I certainly wasn’t open to wisdom’s “reproof.” Instead, I wanted to be complemented not disparaged. While I wanted wisdom (and even had convinced myself that I had wisdom), it was unattainable as long as I continued to love the darkness and hid from the light.

Why do we have to go through pain to acquire wisdom? If we cannot see ourselves, we cannot see anyone else. If we refuse to understand ourselves, how are we going to understand others? If we are blind to ourselves, then we remain blind to everything else! Why? Because we are the lens through which we see life! If the lens remains dirty, it will obscure everything we attempt to see.

How did my blindness turn into sight? My Savior had to humble me, showing me how pathetic I had been and how He was my only hope:

·       Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. (Proverbs 3:34-35)

He had to first break me in order to heal me. If we want wisdom, we have to first pray that God will show us how in need we are of His wisdom. I had to be utterly broken in order to see the light and to come to the light:

·       The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:31-33)

No pain, no gain. King David recognized this fact and confessed:

·       It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Psalm 119:71-72)

By His precious mercies, I can now say the same thing.

Christian Growth: Theology or Feelings

What defiles or corrupts us? And what interferes with spiritual growth?

• Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by [teachings of] grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. (Hebrews 13:9) 

The Apostle Paul states it another way:

• Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

The source of growth is not the feelings but the thoughts. It is our thinking that allows us to “test and approve what God's will is.” Our feelings and experiences are only as weighty as our interpretation of these events. If we misunderstand them, we will be no closer to understanding the will of God.

While there are teachings that will carry us away from truth and maturity, there are also teachings which are in accord with truth and spiritual maturity.

According to Jesus, it is not those things that touch us or even enter into our stomachs that corrupt and misguide us:

·       "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'" (Matthew 15:17-20)

We are what we think. Our thoughts can either lead us away from sin or into its clutches and destructive influence. We will always have temptations. Even Jesus was tempted (Heb. 2:17-18, 4:15). Instead, it is how we understand these temptations that makes the difference. Ultimately, it is what we think that corrupts us. If this is so, then what we are taught and believe also corrupts or builds us. Therefore, Jesus instructed His disciples to be on guard against bad theology:

·       "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

·       In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven [teachings] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” (Luke 12:1)

Why must we be so careful about what we think? Because what we think is who we are! It also determines our fate:

• See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

We can be imprisoned and controlled by our philosophies or worldview. In fact, what we believe is so central to our life in Christ, that what the church teaches is of critical importance:

• Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Revelation 2:14-15)

Conversely, Jesus commended the Philadelphian church because they “have kept my word” (Revelation 3:8).  Jesus’ messages to the churches make it clear that what we teach and believe determines how we will act. Keeping His Word is even a measure of our love for Him (John 14:21-24).

Although this is so clear and simple, most of us just don’t get it. Why not? We tend to think that what we experience and feel is more important than what we believe. Therefore, we tend to pursue good feelings and peak experiences at the expense of correct thoughts.

Moses had had the ultimate peak experience. He had spent 40 days on top of Mount Sinai with the Lord. The experience must have been so intense that his face became radiant. Consequently, he had to cover it lest he frighten the Israelites.

When Moses met with the Israelites, instead of talking about his peak experience, he taught them about what mattered - the words of God.

But how was it that Moses face shined? Simply by being in the presence of God? By experiencing Him? No!

• When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. (Exodus 34:29)

Moses’ transformation wasn’t about experiencing God but about hearing His words – words of truth.

Correct thoughts are the safest and surest road to good feelings. There are thousands of examples of this. If I think that my dentist is trying to undermine my mouth, I will be paranoid. But if I trust him and his work, I will remain at rest.

This principle also pertains to the Bible. Take this verse, for example:

• Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

It was this verse that enabled me to stand against my over-powering feelings of condemnation and trust that God had totally freed, loved, and accepted me. What a relief and what blessed feelings!

It is therefore easy to understand that the one who meditates on His Word continually will be blessed exceedingly:

• He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:3)

The Bible identifies that our battleground is in the mind not the feelings. Our warfare is to think God’s thoughts and not those of the surrounding culture:

• The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Our warfare is against arguments and theological temptations to think and embrace thoughts and beliefs that are not of Christ. If we win the battle of the mind, we will be able to resist the temptation of our feelings.

Consequently, as we have been taken captive spiritually by wrong thinking, we are set free from Satan by right thinking through the Holy Spirit:

• And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26) 

As the captive comes to the “knowledge of the truth,” he will “come to his senses” and escape. Of course, argumentation alone will not free anyone. Instead, it is God who must liberate by changing the heart.

In fact, our Lord will even chasten us if we don’t have the right theology. He even chastened the pagan King of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar had to learn this theological lesson the hard way. He had a dream that deeply disturbed him. He called Daniel unravel its meaning:

• “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times [or years] will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.”(Daniel 4:24-26)

All of this would happen to the King until he learned a theological truth - that his success was all about God. However, he continued to take credit for the great empire he had built:

• Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.” (Daniel 4:29-33) 

However after seven years, his mind returned to him, and he had learned an essential theological truth:

• “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: 'What have you done?'... Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Daniel 4:34-35, 37) 

If this pagan King had to learn sound biblical theology - the lesson of humility and God's glory - how much more must God's people get this lesson down! If he had to lose his mind for seven years, what will happen to us if we refuse sound doctrinal truth?

Clearly, we are not free to reject God’s doctrinal truths. For one thing, they are available to all, but we reject them:

• Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand… (Proverbs 1:20-24) 

However, it is only at great cost to ourselves that we can reject wisdom and harden our heart against its warnings:

• “Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” (Proverbs 1:29-31) 

The rejection of knowledge carries its own appropriate penalty. We will receive the very things we desire, the fruit of our own choices.

Scripture identifies growing in truth by the Spirit as a bedrock of Christian maturity, not feelings:

• Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:2-3)

Consequently, our primary battle is with our thoughts. Good feelings will follow sound thinking. If we walk in the light, we will be set free from a lot that binds us up:

• To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) 

Christian truth – theology and doctrine - is the ark which bears precious cargo. To jettison the ark is to reject the entirety of the Christian inheritance.

KNOWING TRUTH AND REJECTING TRUTH

There is a comfort in knowing the truth. Let’s start with a simple example. Knowing the truth about your car is comforting. If you didn’t know how to turn it on, drive it, or how to pump the gas, this would be stressful.

Knowing truth is a matter of mastery. If we don’t know how to master our car, kitchen, or frig, we will experience frustration and confusion. However, this same principle also pertains to other areas of our lives. We make thousands of moral decisions daily. They even govern how we speak to our friend, mate, or teacher.

In fact, almost everything we say has a moral dimension. When your husband advises you to start cooking dinner, you can respond in many different ways:

1. Yes, dear.
2. What is it you would like to eat?
3. Why is this always my responsibility?
4. You shouldn’t expect anything from me. You aren’t keeping up your responsibilities to me.
5. You are always thinking about yourself!
6. What will you do for me?

There are many possible responses, and they involve many different considerations, like the nature of the relationship and the way we conceive of it, the way the day has gone, and our values.

Some values yield good results; others do not. For example, if getting our needs met is our first consideration, conflict is inevitable. Whenever receiving takes precedence over giving, there will result a tug-of-war between our opposing demands.

This observation raises an important question:

• Are there moral and relational truths to govern our lives as there are truths about my car? If I have to pump the gas into my car at the right orifice, is there also a right way to treat my friend or partner? Also, as there is a joy and comfort in my mastery over the physical objects of my life, is there also a moral mastery that brings joy and comfort?

If there is such a mastery that comes from knowing and understanding, then acquiring and using such knowledge should also be a delight. All the major religions would probably be in agreement. In fact, this is the message of the Bible:

• Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Some study their auto manual so that they can understand the use and maintenance of their car. How much more important to understand the use and care of our lives! Therefore, Scripture consistently encourages us to seek wisdom:

• How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!... Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:16-23)

• A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. (Proverbs 10:23)

Wisdom is a delight. It opens our eyes to the fullness of life, where we can see how everything it interrelated. It is like the joy of completing a puzzle or even a house, but the joy of wisdom is even more profound. Wisdom is also a light, enabling us to navigate this hazardous life.

However, not many are willing to pay the price for it. Augustine of Hippo claimed that although the happiness of truth is available to all, we would rather be right than wise:

• True happiness is to rejoice in the truth, for to rejoice in the truth is to rejoice in you, O God, who are the truth… Man’s love of truth is such that when he loves something which is not the truth, he pretends to himself that what he loves is the truth, and because he hates to be proved wrong, he will not allow himself to be convinced that he is deceiving himself. So he hates the real truth for the sake of what he takes to his heart in its place. (Augustine’s Confessions, Book 10:23)

For many, darkness is more comfortable than knowing the truth, even peace of mind.

How to NOT Believe in God

 MY RESPONSE TO AN ATHEIST:

You are raising the bar on God unreasonably high by demanding exhaustive answers for all of your challenges. In effect, you are saying:

• If God doesn’t answer all of my questions, I will reject Him.

Here are several problems with your demand:

1. If the same standard were applied to science, you must also reject science. Science cannot even answer the basic questions like, “What are space, time, matter, sub-atomic particles, light, and life.” In short, exhaustive knowledge about anything is not possible. We are limited creatures. We can only see and hear a very small band of vibrations. There is much more that we cannot perceive. This means that even the greatest scientists or theologians can only offer partial answers.

2. When we ask of God, we must remember that we are inquiring of the Creator of the universe, which makes Him far greater than His creation. (The artist is always greater than his art!) We should be ready to accept the fact that there is much that we will not understand, even more than what we don’t understand about the cosmos. He even warns us that much is above our understanding.

3. We believe in God, not because of the things that we don’t understand, but because of what we do understand. This principle is also true of science.

4. God can reveal Himself to us, and He does this in many ways. We don’t see because we are willfully blind (Romans 1:18-20). In a sense, we are trapped in the matrix of our own making and only look for those arguments that will support the matrix. We therefore need to pray that He will open our eyes. This is an offer that God makes throughout Scripture.