Daniel’s prophecy has been fulfilled (Dan. 12:4). Never have so many people known so much. Everyone is far more informed on a wide range of topics than their forefathers were. Most people, in the western world at any rate, receive an education. A large percentage receive higher education. Before the Industrial Revolution a child would work at a very early age and be an old man by thirty. Opportunity for personal advancement was almost nil. Technology has placed in the hands of modern man great stores of wealth in return for intellectual achievement.
Early man burnt wood to cook his meals, shoe his horse and keep warm. Then coal, giving more heat for less effort, was mined and sold for gain. Specialists were needed to find the coal and to get it out of the ground. Now an army of academically qualified people was needed so that man could eat, travel and keep out the cold. Men saw the prizes to be won by those who KNEW. They sent their sons to institutes of learning. The sons returned with letters after their names like B.Sc. etc. etc. Dad died and the firm became the property of a technician who made it run more efficiently. Finer machines and brighter men produced cheaper coal and profits the more. The houses of the shareholders became finer. The race to keep up with, and do better than, the Jones’s was really on. Mammon’s congregation became larger.
Economic survival became dependent on passes in this and that subject. Advanced knowledge was needed to live. Man lost his own soul in seeking to gain the world (Matt. 16:26). Materialism, that’s what it was. The spontaneous and natural was subdued in favour of the acting for results. The age of technology has produced a people who can only think how they are told to think, and feel how they are told to feel.
A leading figure in Australian public life was reported to say recently in Adelaide, in effect, “Let us return to the studies of Art and Music in our Universities. Let us produce civilised, rather than merely well-informed, people.” The possession of increased knowledge has not been spiritually helpful to man. He was more religious-minded before the computer invaded his society. His life was less complicated, more simple, less demanding. Economic salvation through knowledge is the Gospel of today. All we have to do is to be acquainted with the facts and we do not need God; a God who “gives us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).
“Let us now make God in our image” they said in effect, “let us deny the flood happened, let us say God has not judged sinners. Ah, a better idea. Let us say the world and all that is in it happened by chance. God was not and is not.”
And the churches emptied, and the drinking and gambling houses filled. And the more they drank and gambled, the more miserable they became. Indeed “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Knowledge has increased and the result “vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecc. 1:14).
Why has the enlightenment, the transition from the dark ages, produced such misery? James has the answer, “This wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15). As this technological age rushes into self-annihilation, the voice of the apostle Peter cries out over the ages “Save yourselves from this crooked age” (Acts 2:40). N.E.B.
How Has This Increase In Knowledge Affected Us?
The Reformation gave the word of God in our mother tongue. The Protestants, who in the main, have long since ceased protesting, printed it. God drew men to himself through Christ and His written Word. The Eunuch in Acts 8:31 cried, “How can I understand except some man should guide me?” The champions of truth, the pioneers of Christadelphia, enlightened men, like Philip in the First Century, guided men and — like the Good Samaritan — bathed wounds on the road of life. They formed Ecclesias and “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).
But while this was happening the change from the serfdom of pre-industrial revolution days to the days of so-called emancipation was occurring. The change from rags to riches for Mister Everyman and his children. As home ownership became the order of the day, there was a temptation to look upon material gain as, “this great kingdom that I have built by the might of my power” (Dan. 4:30).
Far more money than was actually needed was sought. Many today, particularly the young, have swollen bank accounts and with them comes the urge to trust in riches (refer 1 Tim. 6:17), rather than in God. No longer were funds a cruse of oil that faileth not (see 1 Kings 17:16). Our beloved Brother Roberts arrived at New Street Station, Birmingham, England, originally with a wife, a family and one shilling and six pence. His life was based on the wisdom that cometh from above, which “is better than the merchandise of silver” (Proverbs 3:14).
As they came out of the halls of learning, some of the sons of our forefathers engaged in speculation which, in the eyes of some, offended the tradition of our body, and there was overreaction to this.
What Is Knowledge?
The Concise Oxford Dictionary has it “Familiarity gained by experience”. However, the word knowledge covers acquaintance from the most distant to the most intimate. We “know” people near and far and yet the same verb is used of both relationships. In the original Greek there are grades or stratas of knowledge. Eight original Greek words are translated “knowledge”, one word in the A.V.
The two Greek words most used are Gnosis (Young—knowledge) and Epignosis (Young—full knowledge). Only FULL knowledge, or acquaintance with God through Christ can transform a man by the “renewing of his mind” (Rom. 12:2).
The knowledge (Gnosis) of Athens was a fleeting acquaintance with issues discussed. The Athenians grasshopped from one theory to another. They “spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). Knowledge to them was a game, a past-time. It was a mental exercise. It did not touch their emotion. Their heart was not in it.
Gnosis In The Body
There were those in the brotherhood who held the truth with mere Gnosis knowledge. They had brought the Greek philosophical method of education into the body. “Striving about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers” (2 Tim. 2:14). The N.E.B. has it, “it does no good and it is the ruin of those who listen”.
“Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men” (2 Tim. 2:23-24).
Some at that time would be saying, “No, Paul, let us settle the matter. Let us send speakers hither and thither to instruct them in this subject. Don’t worry about the feelings of people, Jesus didn’t. Jesus says he came to send a sword”; — misinterpreting the Master, who was referring to variance between baptised and un-baptised people. “The truth does cause strife,” they would say, “it sets relatives against each other” (see Matt. 10:33-39). “They are astray on the nature of Adam before the fall, we must stamp out this heresy.”
Paul proceeds to exhort Timothy, “Instruct those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance unto the knowledge (RV) (Epignosis—full knowledge) of the Truth” (2 Tim. 2:25). The R.S.V. has it, “Repent and come to know the truth”. These were brethren and sisters who did not really know the truth. One can only really know the truth if one is contrite, and, conversely, one can only be truly repentant through full knowledge (Epignosis). Contrition and full awareness of our position before God are both God-given. Repentance and ill-treatment of people are incompatible. It is the personal appreciation of the goodness of God that leads one to repentance.
They came to John the Baptist repenting. They were told by him “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). To the people who said “What shall we do?” he answered, “He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise” (v.11). To the publicans, “Exact no more than that which is appointed you” (v.13). To the soldiers, “Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (v.14).
It will be observed that all three groups were counselled to give material benefit. The people — food and clothing, the publican — be honest with other people’s money, the soldier — no bullying or blackmail. (N.E.B.)
There is more in this, though, than meets the eye at first glance. Giving materially is a practical aid to spiritual affection. It is very difficult to dislike someone who has just ministered to our temporal needs. It is well-nigh impossible to have animosity for someone whom one has just helped, and who has graciously accepted.
Love for our fellow man both in and outside the ecclesia is integral with “knowing” the Truth (full knowledge — Epignosis) . This is not surprising when we understand that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).
Knowing the Truth then, is something more than studying the Bible — it is that — but more. We shall not be able to qualify for entrance into God’s Kingdom on the basis of a written examination. Knowing the truth includes a change of heart, repentance, a refraining from sin to the best of our ability and appreciating the covering of our sin by the righteousness of Christ. Appreciating, that is, to the point of doing “good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
Summary
The general increase in knowledge has brought many men freedom from the afflictions of poverty. The growth and distribution of wealth has reduced the apparent need to trust God to “give us this day our daily bread”. Dependence on God has not been essential, whereas scholastic achievement has been so. Indeed, knowledge has been increased.
Scripturally speaking, full knowledge (Epignosis) is close acquaintance with God — walking with God — talking to Him in prayer —listening to His Word projecting His goodness and preaching His forgiveness to other sinners. This knowledge we commend to the brotherhood.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay