November 27, 2020 Brethren Letter
Dear Brethren,
When in college, I had a Physical Science teacher who was very knowledgeable in his field. No one could (rightfully) question that. HOWEVER, he was also a man who had some very BIZZARE ideas concerning the future of mankind. Now, he like many other educators had a strong belief in the theory of evolution, accepting the usual thoughts of a “Big Bang” to explain the origin of the universe. He also believed that man descended from the apes, and evolved through the millennia into today’s modern human species.
One day, he started class by discussing the subject of “nuclear war”, stating that man could eventually annihilate himself in a radioactive holocaust. Then he asked, “Did you know that cockroaches are resistant to radiation?” In retrospect, I wish I had said, “No, I have never actually taken the time to look into that subject.” Frankly, I would have been more interested in listening to a Shostakovich symphony (since I was majoring in music), rather than have my mind on cockroaches. This professor went on to say through his own human reasoning, “As we know, man originated from apes. However, the next time around, after nuclear war, man could evolve from the COCKROACH instead of apes, since cockroaches are resistant to radiation.” I thought… REALLY? You get paid for this? “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21).
Mr. Armstrong wrote the following in The Plain Truth magazine, June, 1963, regarding the knowledge that man has built his own understanding upon, contrasted with the foundation that TRUE knowledge (from God’s perspective), is built upon. Here are some excerpts from that article:
A graduate of Oxford said he devoted three years to acquiring DEAD knowledge he could do nothing with, and false knowledge it took another three years to unlearn.
What if you saw a man out in an arid desert, trying to build a house on shifting sand, without any foundation under it, and with no knowledge of carpentry or experience in building. Would you think him a fool?
Today millions of scientists, doctors and educators are
doing that very thing in building their superstructure of KNOWLEDGE. They have rejected the very FOUNDATION of knowledge. They consequently lack the right APPROACH to the acquisition of the additional knowledge to build on the foundation that is not there. They are building a house of cards doomed to topple.
God Almighty says the inhabitants of this world are spiritually DRUNK on the wine of false doctrines — FALSE KNOWLEDGE. This spiritual wine has emanated from paganism wearing the false label of “Christianity,” and from a false science and error-infused educational system. Their spiritual eyes are out of focus, like the physically intoxicated man who was “counting the moon.”
Jesus Christ said, “Ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.” TRUTH will free one from fears, worries, emptiness, boredom, discontent, unhappiness — yes, even from ill health, poverty and misery, when rightly and diligently applied.
There are inexorable spiritual LAWS that govern good health, happiness, success. But these laws are invisible. Man cannot see them. He cannot feel, smell, taste, or hear them. And all the knowledge that has come into every human mind, naturally, has come through one of those five senses.
The knowledge of these laws, which are in themselves THE WAY to peace, to health, wealth and happiness, is a knowledge that must be REVEALED!
What I am saying is that the BASIS — the FOUNDATION — of all useful knowledge is REVEALED knowledge. And the self-professing “wise” and “educated” of this world long since REJECTED revelation.
What is the FOUNDATION? It is the true knowledge of PURPOSES, of CAUSES, of BEGINNINGS, of the TRUE VALUES, of invisible SPIRITUAL LAWS.
What is the FOUNDATION of knowledge?
It is to know the TRUTH about origins, purposes, causes, and ways. What is the true MEANING — the REAL PURPOSE of life? WHY was humanity put here on earth? How did the earth get here, and WHY, and WHEN? What are the REAL FACTS of origins and developments, of geological formations and biological organisms?
Science has ideas, theories, postulates. But the “science” accepted as “fact” today becomes the laughing stock of tomorrow.
What are the TRUE VALUES of life? WHERE is the knowledge of HOW to LIVE? Are there living, yet invisible, LAWS that govern relationships? What is MAN? Is he flesh, or is he spirit? Is he mere animal, or immortal soul in a material BODY, or is he neither? Is he the product of blind, purposeless evolution, or is he a CREATED being, made in the very image of God?
WHY is man? Is there some PURPOSE for his tenure here on earth? Is there real MEANING to life — and if so WHAT IS IT? You won’t learn the answer in the college or university of this world! Does man have a real potential DESTINY? And if so, what are the directions for reaching it?
God’s Word answers those questions. The foundation of TRUE knowledge is found right in the pages of our Bible.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Have a wonderful Sabbath, everyone!
Your Brother in Christ,
Gary Liebold