There was a time in our American culture when common sense reigned supreme.  We fished by the tides, planted by the moon and treated the land with respect.    We raised our kids with wisdom, patience and kindness that was passed from generation to generation.  We conducted business on our word, with honor and ethics; and all on a handshake.    We helped our neighbor, honored our Creator and treated others the way we wanted to be treated.

Hand in hand with that common sense was a mix of science and art.  But somewhere along the way, it seems art has been replaced by science in areas where the two should go hand in hand.   Take rearing children, for instance.   In the times when the skill of parenting was learned by the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next, parents mastered the art of parenting by trial and error, failure and success, and constant growth and learning.  

Then along came Dr. Benjamin Spock telling us how parenting should be done based on scientific understanding of the day.   John Dewey appeared telling us how to educate our kids with “scientific methods” in Industrial Revolution context. Sigmund Freud came along demeaning cultural wisdom, our Creator, and our humanity; all based on his “scientific” discoveries.   Charles Darwin came telling us we are but apes based on his “scientific” theories.  

And Shazzam; our culture is messed up.  

Possessing knowledge is a good thing, for the most part.   Having the understanding of how to apply that knowledge is better still.  But even more profound is having the wisdom to know when, where, why and what to apply that knowledge to.  But the ultimate is to possess the character to righteously apply that wisdom for the good of all mankind.

Our culture chose the cheap substitute and elevated knowledge to the pinnacle of achievement.   Without understanding knowledge is just rote memorization and senseless facts.   Without wisdom knowledge is a tool that elevates one’s own opinion of himself and leads to arrogance and self indulgence.  Without character, knowledge is a tool that can be used for great destruction and harm.

Thus our world is a scientific world, full of knowledge and facts.   But void of righteousness, character and wisdom.

Tim

Filed under: Building Rugged Gentlemen, Real Men Don't Talk Trash by tim