Is knowledge dumb? A silly question perhaps, but practically speaking that’s the mantra of the day: ‘It’s dumb to know stuff.’ Thinking seems to be out of vogue. Here are a few generalities on this:
1) Google – Everything you would ever need to know is on the internet. The day of the expert is dead and a Google search is just as valid as the professional in the field.
2) Reading books (or lack thereof) - Sometimes it takes more than 140 characters to get the point across but whatever : )
3) Relativity – You can’t know anything for certain so why try?
4) Enlightenment – Empty your mind and just be.
The Christian response
Romans 12:2 is the antiseptic for this malady:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)
or to put it in simpler terms,
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world (not thinking), but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)
The remedy for an anti-intellectual culture is to think. God calls Christians everywhere to to reject the world’s thinking and to embrace His thoughts. Often Christians act like knowing the Scriptures and the things of God (theology) are something that they don’t need to bother with. They have Jesus and that’s all they need. The fact is however, knowing God’s character and Word are the most practical things to help navigate through life.
Take for example a marriage in crisis. It is almost a grantee that someone is not thinking straight. Biblical counsel would teach them to first start thinking correctly and then act upon what they know. Your work relationships, family, community and even your relationship with God are all impacted by how you think and your thinking is impacted by what you know. If your knowledge is wrong I can bet your actions will be wrong too. A wrong diagnosis will more often than not get a wrong prognosis. Christian brothers and sisters let us heed the words of God and renew our minds. Be in the Word daily and invest some time into thinking Christian thoughts.
Here is a practical way to renew your mind: This month’s (May, 2012) free audio book from Christianaudio.com is Resolving Everyday Conflict, by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson. There are eight chapters which are about 20 minutes each. Download it, give it a try, and be transformed.
Great post paul!
Great post! This is what came to my mind upon reading:
Joshua 1:8 ESV
English Standard Version
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
New Living Translation
Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
You can’t really know what it says if you don’t read and meditate on it. Meditate=thinking on it, praying on it, discussing it. This is a process that can take time, but any relationship worth having is worth the time to get to know the other person. If you never spend time with God in His word, in prayer, learning what He likes and doesn’t like how can you have a relationship with Him?
Thanks for the reminder. :~)
This is a great point. It takes time and personal investment to grow and have a stronger relationship with God. There is no easy button, day after day, week after week our understanding must grow and develop. Salvation is an instantaneous action but growing in godliness is a life long process.
Thanks! Thought provoking and encouraging!
I look forward to more posts!!!! 
I like this post. Very encouraging to THINK! (unlike the world) And to make sure you’re thinking right, read God’s Word. I can’t spell anymore because Word and spell checkers can do the spelling for me