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Intellectual Arrogance? - Message #211 - August 21, 2005
Jonathan Edwards lived between 1703 and 1758. He was probably the greatest intellect in American history. Nearly all of those in academic circles reverence Edwards as a learned man and philosopher. Although these men and women bow before the intellect of Jonathan Edwards, they hope he is wrong. They hope he is wrong in his assessments about this life and the life to come. Why? Well, if Jonathan Edwards is correct, most present day intellectuals are doomed. You see, Jonathan Edwards taught the so-called "hard doctrines" of the Bible. He taught, "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). Jonathan Edwards taught that only God can save men and women from eternal destruction. "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). A propitiation is a sacrifice which appeases God's wrath against sin. Jesus Christ took upon himself the wrath of God due to others for their sins. As a result, Christ's sacrifice for sin is the ultimate definition of love.
It is this kind of teaching that most intellectuals really hate; they also know they are doomed if it is true.
Contributed by Dr. Dennis J. Prutow
Jonathan Edwards lived between 1703 and 1758. He was probably the greatest intellect in American history. Nearly all of those in academic circles reverence Edwards as a learned man and philosopher. Although these men and women bow before the intellect of Jonathan Edwards, they hope he is wrong. They hope he is wrong in his assessments about this life and the life to come. Why? Well, if Jonathan Edwards is correct, most present day intellectuals are doomed. You see, Jonathan Edwards taught the so-called "hard doctrines" of the Bible. He taught, "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18). Jonathan Edwards taught that only God can save men and women from eternal destruction. "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). A propitiation is a sacrifice which appeases God's wrath against sin. Jesus Christ took upon himself the wrath of God due to others for their sins. As a result, Christ's sacrifice for sin is the ultimate definition of love.
It is this kind of teaching that most intellectuals really hate; they also know they are doomed if it is true.
Contributed by Dr. Dennis J. Prutow
