They feel themselves to be the most humble people on the face of the earth by virtue of truly knowing God, but in reality what they believe to be the knowledge of God is the source of the problem.
The normal enterprise of Theology these days certainly acquires knowledgeabout God. Yet, for the most part, the soul is left empty and bereft of divine life
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent."
- John 17:3 [Jn. 8:19. 2 Thess. 1:7-10]
"He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
— 1 John 2:4
Theologians and academics have failed to put a difference between acquiring knowledgeabout God and personallyknowing God A lack of focused emphasis on this vital issue has poisoned countless volumes of theology to date Consequentially, the Priests of the LORD have failed to put a difference between the clean and the unclean ( -7:1); neither have they discerned between the living and the dead ( ).
This negligence is nothing short of murder Eternity depends upon a real and living personal encounter with the LORD Unadulterated Theology directs the soul into a personal encounter with God at salvation and a growing knowledgeof God coming with sanctification as one walks with God in the beauties of holiness. The true utility of the word of God humbles the soul rather than puffing it up because only humble souls do abide and walk with God However, when and if Theology is committed into the hands of unconverted men, the divine utility of the word of God is compromised; therefore, instead of humbling the soul, "the knowledge of God" is puffing it up
"... Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of Him."
- 1Cor. 8:1-3
With depravity taking its course, suddenly a whole generation is given over to the pride of knowledgeabout God in the brazen idolatry of human intelligence. They feel themselves to be the most humble people on the face of the earth by virtue of truly knowing God, but in reality what they believe to be the knowledge of God is the source of the problem. The knowledge they have acquired hasn't ushered their souls into the blazing light of God's Presence In all their knowledgeabout God they haven't come to know God! For, had they come to know the LORD in truth, they wouldn't feel so much that they have come to know anything, but rather that God has come to know them and in the process they have found Him to be lovely beyond human description ("the love of Christ which passeth knowledge"- )!
If you entrust your soul to the good intentions of godless men, they will forbid you from knowing God by teaching you "the word of God". What they teach you about the Bible will make you wise unto damnation ( Php. 3:4-6). What they teach you aboutthe Temple of the LORD will banish you from the presence of God In a demonstration of zeal that inspires you they will destroy you (-10:3, ). In eloquenceof speech that fascinates you they will bewitch you In formal training to master "divinity" they will make you an enemy of the Cross of Christ ( Php. 3:17-19).
These are perilous times. The inspiration of the Word of God has been attacked in recent times more than ever before. Questioning the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture is an attack on its inspiration.
Modern academia applauds the fair speeches of ancient Greek philosophers, men like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the like; and the gullible minds of educated men are sincerely impressed. Meanwhile, the apostle Paul remains thoroughly unimpressed!
Peter was arguing for the equality of Scripture in the Old and New Testaments. The “vision” that Peter was referring to was already written down, canonized, and circulated as Scripture through the Gospels (Matt. 16:21-17:13, Mk. 8:27-9:13, Lk. 9:29-35).
John MacArthur, over the past many years, has served as a beacon of hope to many for theological conservatism and fundamentalism. But in the already precarious year of 2020, he joined together with the Lockman Foundation
However, this complicates the issue by presenting to the reader a number of various definitions to choose from which slightly or significantly alter the meaning of the verse in question.
All that really matters is if the Prophet is turning people from their sins and from the wickedness of their doings (Jer. 23:18-22). Passion does not equal power. Passionate preachers these days can stir up congregations into a frenzy of celebration.
