The Idolatry of Erudition

There is a new idol out there. It's not materialism.  It's not pleasure. It's not selfishness.  Those have been around since the dawn of time.  Maybe this one has too.

It's related to a condition called Erudite.  "having or showing great knowledge or learning".  Now there is nothing wrong with reading, asking questions, and thinking critically.  There is something wrong when it is exalted above God.  Let's call it Erudition.  That's idolatry.

Perhaps it first emerged at the tower of Babel.  The builders of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves.....even so some who perceive themselves as intellectuals.  Maybe there was something to God's forbidding the eating of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.....I'm guessing it was a timing issue.  Imagine that.....God can be trusted to tell the truth.  Unfortunately many in our day fit the description of Jesus and Isaiah.

Isaiah 29:13

I teach at a University.  I'm proud of what SAGU has done to train people to fulfill the mission of "the whole Gospel, for the whole man, for the whole world".  I'm also an ordained Assemblies of God minister.  I have the privilege of pastoring a church too. I happen to have a Ph.D. This is not about me.  I'm nothing special.  I simply want you to understand where I'm coming from.  I'm not writing this blog because I'm anti-education.

I do, however see a condition in the current culture that is alarming.  It's idolatry.  They are theologians and church members.  They can be found in Christian universities, and denominational meetings.  They have replaced simple faith with intellectual endeavor.  It's subtle, and yes creepy, but very real.

What are their characteristics?

They prefer reading theologians rather than Scripture.
They prefer ANY type of Christian media to Scripture
They preach on ANYTHING BUT Scripture.
They are bored with the Gospel.

They suggest if you haven't read someone's theology you can't critique it.

They question the education, experience or God help us....prayer life....of those that disagree with them.

It's troubling to these idolaters to sit in a service where the Gospel is being preached.

They take pride in asking questions rather than providing answers, and subtly criticize those who have affirmed their beliefs.

They exalt logic over faith.  

THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM BEGINS

In contrast to this, we should look to Scripture.

The Bible is great in speaking for itself.  

Romans 1:22 provides an accurate description.

This has been a problem throughout church history.  My view is not unique.  The Bible says much about false teachers and those who wander from the faith.


In 1 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle was clear in what he believed.


How can you tell if you are in the presence of a false teacher or an idolater?

Usually, they don't mention Christ.

Here are some Scriptures where false teachers and false prophets are mentioned.




Lamentations 2:14
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.


Ezekiel 13:9
My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.


Ezekiel 22:28
And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.


Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.


Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.


Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.


Mark 13:22
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.


Luke 6:26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.


2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.


1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 




May the Lord bless you as you study HIS word.