The impact of teachings on perception and belief.
I was a very good student from grade school through college. I was able to learn just about anything my teachers and textbooks told me and repeat it back quite successfully in my homework and tests. And for this they called me “intelligent.”
Through my education, I learned to recognize that the intricate carvings on the face of Mount Rushmore were clearly not the result of natural processes, but rather a work demonstrating great design, creativity, intelligence and purpose. Because I trusted my teachers and they gave me A’s, I believed.
On the other hand, through my education, I learned to recognize that the even more intricate genetics, biological systems and relationships that we call life were clearly not a work demonstrating great design, creativity, intelligence and purpose, but rather the result of natural processes. Because I trusted my teachers and they gave me A’s, I believed.
And now, looking back, I wonder . . .
What the heck was I thinking?
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.
(1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:21-22)
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(1 Corinthians 1:19-20)