THE WISDOM OF GOD VS THE PHILOSOPHY OF MEN Are You Grounded In The Word Of God, Or In The Wisdom Of Men? In a previous article entitled 'The Only Credentials You Need', I presented a variety of Scriptures which reveal exactly what kind of people it is whom the Lord chooses as His servants. As shown there, contrary to what some people might expect, God is not the least bit impressed by worldly wisdom. Nowhere does the Bible instruct us to study the teachings of the ancient philosophers, or to waste years of our lives in some place of higher learning such as at a university or theological seminary. In many instances, such study serves more to destroy a person's faith in God and His Holy Word, than to strengthen and build upon it. It is for this very reason that the Apostle Paul gave us a very stern warning in the following words: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:8) Paul's use of the word 'spoil' in this verse is very interesting. It is derived from the Greek word 'sulagogeo' and is given several definitions in the lexicon, all of which show the seriousness of being deceived by such secular knowledge: 1. To carry off booty a. to carry one off as a captive (and slave) b. to lead away from the truth and subject to one's sway How fitting indeed! Those who study such things are truly being led away from The Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although they may not realize it at the time, they are in fact slowly being placed under bondage as the captives, or slaves, of the Devil; not in a physical sense; but rather in a mental and spiritual sense. Through a slow subtle indoctrination process, their foundation of faith is being utterly destroyed. After his excellent chapter on faith and works, James warns us of the dangers of our tongue. In discussing the difference between godly wisdom and knowledge which builds up and edifies, and worldly wisdom which only seeks to knock down and criticize, James makes the following comments: "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:15-17) The first two verses describe the very same kind of worldly wisdom that the ancient Jewish Elders had; and it is this same kind of wisdom that many people continue to cherish today. The Jews prided themselves in their rabbinical teachings and the traditions of their fathers; but just as the Gospels teach us, it was that same devilish wisdom which caused them to criticize and ultimately 'destroy' Jesus: "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." (Matthew 27:20) "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." (John 7:1) Jesus clearly recognized the source of their wisdom; and their dead dry religion, and it is for this reason that He said such things as the following to them: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44) "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" (Matthew 15:3) "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do...And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition...Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." (Mark 7:8-9, 13) If you read the four Gospels and the Book of Acts slowly and carefully, you will begin to understand that the real battle was not happening in the physical; it was happening in the Spirit; because it was a war of words, just as James pointed out in the above verses. It was a war of opposing ideas and theologies between the Wisdom of God, (manifested through Jesus the Living Word), and the earthy devilish wisdom of Satan spoken through the mouths of the Jewish Elders who sought to preserve the status quo. The words, wisdom and traditions of the Jewish Elders were the ways of death; while the Words of Jesus Christ were and are The Way to Life Eternal: "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63) Even today the Jews continue along this same deceitful path by exalting, in fact worshipping, the words of their philosophers and rabbis. Such is the case with the twelvth century Spanish-born Jewish physician and philosopher Maimonides. The teachings of this man, and others like him, are highly esteemed within Judaism and quoted extensively, while the Words of Jesus Christ are trampled to the ground and ignored. Another clear example of the exaltation of Jewish law and tradition above the True Spirit of God can be found in the Book of Jubilees. This work came into being in the second century before Christ during the reign of the Maccabees. Written by a devout Pharisee of unknown identity, it is basically a rewrite of the Creation and ancient Jewish history into which the author has liberally incorporated the Levitical Code, even though the priestly order did not exist until the time of Moses and Aaron over a thousand years later! Because of this, certain events which have been preserved in the Christian Old Testament, are either totally omitted, or else distorted because they were contrary to the Levitical Code given later. Likewise, while the legalistic spirit of the written Law reigns supreme throughout the pages of the Book of Jubilees, the True Spirit of prophecy is heavily suppressed and discouraged. In fact, as pointed out in other articles, during the same period that this manuscript was written, exercising the gift of prophecy was punishable by excommunication from the synagogue or Temple! The Jewish leaders simply did not want to hear the real voice of God; just like when they stoned Stephen!: "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." (Acts 7:57-58) Some of these ancient Jews were so deluded by their own works of humanistic reasoning and earthly wisdom, that they believed that prince, prophet and priest John Hyrcanus was the promised Messiah. They were so blinded to The Truth that they expected him to usher in the Messianic Kingdom in which the Jews would overcome all of their enemies, men would live to be a thousand years old, and the Earth would slowly and physically be transformed into a New Earth. Of course, we know that the Lord shook them up terribly when such things did not materialize; and instead, they soon found themselves the victims of cruel Roman oppression and domination. Ironically, when their True Messiah did arrive less than one hundred years later, these same Jews who considered themselves wise in their own conceit, rejected Him soundly, accusing Him of being the very son of Satan!: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils." (Matthew 12:24) "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils." (Mark 3:22) As I have explained in other articles, part of the reason this legalistic attitude existed at this time is because the ancient Jewish hierarchy had totally rejected the Lord's True Prophets whom He had sent to them one after the other. As Jesus said in one of His most violent attacks against the Scribes and Pharisees: "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." (Matthew 23:33-35) Another reason there was such strict adherence to Jewish Law and tradition, is because the ancient framework had been weakened by Hellenistic attitudes which had swept across not only Israel, but across much of that area of the world at that time. Following the Diaspora in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, many thousands of Jews were dispersed into the surrounding lands and countries where they adopted the customs, dress and language of their hosts. This is exactly who the Hellenists were; Grecian Jews. They were the same philosophical Jews who clashed with the Apostle Paul time and time again. In fact, as is born out in my article 'Biblical Cafeteria Part One', they were the very ones who tried to kill him on several occasions, such as during his first return to Jerusalem following his conversion: "And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him." (Acts 9:29) These were not all Grecians, or Greeks, in the truest sense of the word, but rather Hellenists who perceived Paul's words as being contrary to the Torah. These were Jews who were not only well-versed in the Laws of Moses, but who were also highly educated in the doctrines and teachings of the Greek and Roman philosophers of the past few centuries. It was because of their very background in the worldly wisdom of men, that they were thoroughly blinded to The Truth. In his epistle to the Church at Ephesus, Paul likewise chided the Gentiles who were also spiritually blind due to this worldly way of thinking. He referred to it as the 'vanity of their mind': "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:" (Ephesians 4:17-18) In fact, as I revealed in the 'Biblical Cafeteria' article, these Gentile Ephesians were worshippers of Diana, the Roman goddess of chastity, hunting and the moon. She finds her equivalent in the Greek goddess Artemis: "And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians...But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." (Acts 19:23-28, 34) Imagine, these are people who are supposed to be highly educated in the doctrines and teachings of the greatest Roman and Greek philosophers who have ever lived! Sadly, it can be easily seen that such earthly wisdom does not lead one to The Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus said that such people are not even capable of receiving the Spirit of Truth: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17) In like manner, Paul said in his epistle to the Corinthians, that because the people of the world consider themselves to be wise in their own eyes, they cannot understand the True Wisdom which is being conveyed to them through the preaching of the Gospel; which in itself they consider to be foolishness: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God...For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21) Not only that, but Paul tells us that it is because of this very same worldly wisdom with which they have filled their minds and hearts, that the Lord is unable to use them in His service: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) It is only those who can accept the Spirit of Truth with the faith and meekness of a child who are capable of receiving the True Wisdom: "...I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes...Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Matthew 11:25, Luke 18:16b) "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) It doesn't matter whether these ancient traditions and philosophies of men are of Jewish or Gentile origin; the result is still the same: they do not lead to the One who paid the price for our Salvation. God will accept anyone who is willing to forsake these things and sincerely express faith in the sacrifice of His Son: "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:17-19) While the ancient Jews, due to their own ignorance and hardheartedness, rejected the Words of Life, we know from the Scriptures that God does not make mistakes. He has a purpose and plan for everything. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul brings out this very point when he says: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:25-33) Perhaps one of the most demonically-deceptive lies I have heard in recent years, is one which is currently circulating within New Age circles. It involves a personage by the name of Apollonius of Alexandria. I really don't know whether or not such a man ever really existed, but it is what is being said about him which should alarm every Christian. Without going into great detail, suffice it to say that, according to those who swallow this lie, Jesus Christ was only a mythological figure who was styled after the 'true christ', whom they claim to be Apollonius of Alexandria. This man is said to have performed great miracles, possessed great strength, and is purported to have travelled all over the known world conversing with, and learning from, the greatest philosophers and sages of his time. In fact, within the material I read, an attempt is made to either equate him with the Apostle Paul, or else to say that he is the 'Apollo' mentioned in some of Paul's epistles. This is the furthest thing from The Truth and a damnable lie of Satan! This man's fame became so widespread that some eventually equated him with Hercules of Roman and Greek mythology. In short, he was given the status of a god. If you ever come across this material, I strongly urge you to not even read it as it will definitely test your faith in the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is full of extremely strong delusion. The above examples from both Jewish and Gentile history clearly demonstrate the dangerous nature of such worldly wisdom and philosophies. Their whole purpose is to discredit God, to rob one of their faith in Jesus Christ, and to exalt man as his own god. It is a totally worldly humanistic approach to life. It is precisely for these reasons that it is extremely difficult to reach those who have involved themselves in such studies for any appreciable amount of time. Before the Lord can even begin to use such people, He sometimes has to tear down and root out all of the crap with which they have foolishly filled their minds and hearts. It reminds me of what the Lord told the young boy Jeremiah when He first called him to be a prophet over the nations: "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10) Before we can establish such people in the faith, we have to get rid of all of these false ideas and erroneous misconceptions which have been put into their heads by 'well-meaning' worldly teachers, philosophers and theologians. Once we have re-discovered the original foundation, after clearing away all of this mental rubble, we can then begin to re-establish their faith upon a more sure Word of prophecy: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" (2 Peter 1:19) Paul referred to this on a number of occasions as a renewing or washing of the mind and Spirit, or putting on the mind of Christ: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) In contrast to the above, Paul also tells us that to think on the things of the flesh, to dwell upon the things of human understanding and reasoning, is to be carnally-minded and not spiritually-minded. He tells us that this will not only put one at odds with God, but that it is also the way of Death, and that God will have no part with such a person: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:5-9) This whole process of being renewed and cleansed is of course a work of God's Spirit through His Word: "BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalms 119:9) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3) Once we are renewed in heart, mind and Spirit, several of the epistle writers inform us of the importance of remaining firmly established in the faith. This is precisely why Paul undertook his various missionary journeys once he had helped to establish the churches in Asia Minor and the surrounding regions: "And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do." (Acts 15:36) Consider also this example found at the end of Paul's letter to the disciples at Rome where he assures them that the Lord is able to 'stablish', (or establish), them in the Gospel: "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. <>" (Romans 16:25-27) In his first letter to the Church at Thessalonika, Paul also writes of how he is sending Timotheus in order to strength the faith of the brethren, and to comfort them in their tribulation: "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:" (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2) In the final chapter of his epistle, James also makes similar remarks regarding how important it is to be grounded and established in the faith: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:7-8) And finally, Peter also stresses the importance of establishing our faith, knowing exactly what we believe, so that we are not devoured by the lies and doubts of Satan: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11) Thus, we can plainly see how important it is that we are firmly established in the faith and building upon the right foundation; and that foundation is of course none other than Jesus Christ and His Word. In describing the importance of laying the right foundation, Jesus said the following in one of His many parables: "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:47-49) Throughout the Gospels, Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the foundation stone upon which His Church would be built. Here are a few examples: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Matthew 21:42) The Apostle Paul also clearly defines Jesus Christ as the Spiritual Rock; and as the only foundation upon which we should establish our faith and build the spiritual Temple of His Church: "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:1-4) "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:9-11) In fact, even Peter, whom many have confused as being the rock which Jesus was referring to in the Gospels, points out that Jesus was the chief cornerstone of His spiritual house: "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded." (1 Peter 2:4-6) Obviously, the way we are supposed to establish and strengthen our Faith is not by spending years of our lives studying the wisdom and philosophies of misguided vain men contained in the countless volumes they have written over the centuries. King Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, after spending his own life doing just such a thing, summarized his feelings on this issue when he said: "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) True Faith and Wisdom is not to be found in such voluminous works of men, many of whom did not even know or accept the Lord, but only in The Book of The One who saved us and established our faith to begin with. The Scriptures are very clear on this: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalms 119:11) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:2) "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16) It is through earnestly reading and studying the Word of God with an open heart that our Faith and Wisdom is increased. How you personally choose to do this is really a decision which you alone can make. For the reasons I have already explained, I have never undertaken to study at any kind of seminary or theological school; and I am none the worse for it. In fact, I don't doubt that I am much better off because I didn't allow my mind to be filled with such useless worldly mental clutter. As children, we all receive enough anti-God knowledge as it is in the public schools system! Now that I am an adult and can choose for myself, instead of being forced-fed by the System, I much prefer to depend solely upon the Lord and His Holy Spirit as my one and only Teacher; and He has never failed me yet. King David likewise sought direct guidance from the Lord as he studied His Word: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." (Psalms 119:18) King David wrote many inspiring psalms in which he exalted the Word of the Lord. One of my favorites is Psalm 119. I encourage you to read it. And why shouldn't David stress the importance of the Word? As he says in this next verse, the Lord has magnified His Word above His very Name!: "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Psalms 138:2) If the Lord exalts His Word above His Name, shouldn't we His children also exalt His Word above all in our lives as well? Or should we exalt the words of other philosophers and theologians and gurus? Notice how David equates the Word with Truth. Jesus did this very same thing throughout the Gospels. In fact, not only are we told that He is the Word Incarnate, but that He is also the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In other words, He shows us the Way to the Father by speaking the Father's Truth to us; and if we accept that Truth, (that Jesus came to die for our sins), then we truly can inherit Everlasting Life: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth...For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:14, 17) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Contrary to all of these Biblical Truths I have presented thus far, some people still insist that Wisdom and Truth can be gained through the study of the various teachings of all of these other 'learned' sages, philosophers and theologians. These people suggest that since God is the Author of all Truth, in our search for Truth, we should not restrict ourselves to the Bible alone. In their eyes, the Bible is not the only source of Wisdom and Truth. How can anyone who claims to be a sincere dedicated Bible-believing Christian even say such a thing? I consider this to be nothing short of tragic, and a fatal error in judgment. As I explained earlier, these people have already been blinded to The Truth, and are in bondage to the forces of Darkness and don't even know it; but Jesus can still set them free if they will just turn to Him and His Word: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) Not only can we be spiritually free in this life, but someday soon we will also be set free from the bondage of death into the glorious liberty of the Children of God when we finally receive our glorious incorruptible Resurrected Bodies: "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:21-23) Over and over again Jesus said that He spoke The Truth for those who were willing to believe: "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham...And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not...Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" (John 8:40, 45-46) While many worldly sages and philosophers seek to elevate themselves by promoting their own human wisdom and their particular version of The Truth outside of the Bible, consider how the real Spirit of Truth operates: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13) Isn't this true even in our modern day? There are so many vain men who spout off their worldly wisdom and seek to draw crowds to themselves that they might receive the praises of men. They are found all over the world; but beware; for as I said in my articles 'Lying Wonders Of The Endtime Parts One And Two', these people are false prophets who only seek to poison the flocks of God with their deceptive lies! A True Prophet and Sage of the Lord will point you only to God and His Holy Word, and NOT to himself or to some vain philosophy of men! As Jesus clearly indicated, the only Word of Truth, is the Word of His Father: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17-19) If these so-called 'enlightened' ones are not speaking the Words of the Father, then they are liars and deceivers and walking in Darkness, and they will lead you into Darkness too unless you wise up! These folks call their Darkness, Light, when it is the exact opposite!: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20) What everyone needs to realize is that the Real Truth from the Lord, His spiritual Wisdom and Divine Guidance, is freely available to anyone who wishes to ask for it with an open sincere heart: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13) "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:17-18) "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9) Thus, it should be recognized that there is a clear distinction between the Divine Wisdom which comes down from above, and the carnal satanic misleading wisdom which originates within the vain hearts and minds of evil rebellious men who don't even acknowledge the Lord in their lives. Even John the Baptist, a man without any Earthly credentials or theological training, recognized the Wisdom found in the Words of Jesus Christ when he said: "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all." (John 3:31) Jesus further emphasized this difference between Himself and the vain theologies practiced by the Jews when He told them: "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23) Plainly, the Wisdom we should desire is the Heavenly which comes from God alone, and not the fleshly Earthly theologies and philosophies of corrupt misguided men: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" (1 Corinthians 2:7) "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;" (1 Corinthians 12:8) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17) Just as Paul told us many times which Wisdom we should seek after, he also told us which one we should avoid, as well as why we should avoid it: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God." (1 Corinthians 2:1) These first two verses are rather interesting. Notice Paul's usage of the words 'not with wisdom of words' and 'not with excellency of speech or of wisdom'. What does he mean by these phrases? From my own observations and experiences with the various newsgroups, message conferences and mailing lists that I participate in, I believe I understand exactly what he is talking about. Notice that he also says that employing this method of witnessing makes the Cross of Christ of none effect. Do you know why? It is all really quite simple; and I have seen this happen many times. There are some preachers of the Gospel, who because of their own pride and vanity, feel that they have to impress those to whom they are witnessing. So they try to use a whole lot of big fancy words to sound well-versed and educated. This is totally contrary to Jesus' own method of witnessing, as well as against what Paul advises us in his epistles. We must adhere to the SIMPLICITY of the Gospel in our witness: "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in SIMPLICITY and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward." (2 Corinthians 1:12) "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with SIMPLICITY; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:8) "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the SIMPLICITY that is in Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) You see, that is one of Satan's tricks; to try to complicate things and make it all confusing; because he is the author of confusion. We must remember that the message of Salvation can be simplified into one basic fact: We are all sinners in need of a Saviour; and that Saviour is Jesus Christ. That is all people need to know and understand. They don't need to hear some long theological argument from you which will only leave them confused, and leave you lifted up in your pride. They just need the basic facts so they can make a decision. A lot of them are too simple-minded or ignorant of the Bible to understand most of it anyway. Remember what Paul also said in his letter to the Hebrews: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14) Once a person has accepted the Lord, then you can begin to teach them whatever else you feel they need to know. Now, I can understand that perhaps through some of these long eloquent conversations, some of these Christians are just honestly trying to follow Paul's advice of becoming all things to all men that they might win some: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) If this is their true motivation, then I applaud them for their patience and perseverance. On the other hand, there is such a thing as taking this too far. I have personally witnessed certain Christians who will be earnestly involved in a conversation with someone whom they are trying to win to the cause of Christ, who in my view don't appear to be much different from the person they are witnessing to. What happens is that the person doing the witnessing, either because he wants to impress the other person by appearing to be on the same level scholastically or theologically, or because he is afraid to offend the other person by quoting too many Bible Scriptures, or possibly because he simply doesn't know enough, will end up being involved in a long drawn-out dry spiritless conversation which has devolved into nothing more than a battle of wits and human pride. They are fruitless empty conversations going nowhere fast. Frankly, when I see such conversations occurring, where not a single Bible verse is quoted in post after post after post, I must truly wonder about the person doing the witnessing. As those of you who have seen me in action know, my approach is entirely different. I believe in exalting the Word of God, whether people like it or not. I like to cut to the chase and get down to the facts. Time is too short for us to be wasting our time with reprobates who don't have the slightest interest in our witness; and who in fact totally despise it and mock us to our face over and over again. We need to always remember to balance Scripture with Scripture. While Jesus did tell us to bring forth fruit with patience and perseverance, He also told us to not cast our pearls before swine or give that which is holy, (the Word), to dogs: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6) In like manner, He also told us to shake off the dust from our feet when people fail to receive us or our witness: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." (Matthew 10:14) Some Christians are just so namby-pamby that they are afraid to offend anybody. We all need to learn to have spiritual discernment and know when to bleat like a lamb with the sheep; and when to roar like a lion with the reprobates. We also need to ask the Lord to give us some wisdom so we don't waste our time with the unworthy. So the main point from these first two verses is that when witnessing, we are not to try to impress people with our own wisdom and knowledge, as it will be totally ineffective, just as Paul has said. You will find a perfect example of this very thing with the Jehovah's Witnesses. They are one proud, pushy, bullheaded, argumentive group of people. They are not the least bit interested in what a person has to say. All they want to do is prove that they are right and that you the listener are wrong; and try to get you to read their literature. It is truly sad and has turned many people against them. Here are a few more verses which tell us that we must not resort to carnal, Earthly human wisdom in our preaching, but rather rely solely upon the Wisdom, Truth and Power of God's Holy Spirit; for it is in this way that He truly receives all of the Glory which belongs to Him alone: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" (1 Corinthians 2:4-7) "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Corinthians 2:13) "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:19) "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (Luke 21:14-15) "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13) "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." (Acts 6:10) In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul issued a prophetic warning of the future when men would also be enticed by the pursuit of worldly wisdom and knowledge, and would seek out teachers to instruct them in the things which are not of the Lord: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" (2 Timothy 4:3) Surely, this situation exists in our very day as man has become hopelessly lifted up in his own pride and in the vanity of his own mind. Through what he mistakenly believes is his own wisdom and knowledge, he has created a world of scientific and technological wonders. At the same time, he has replaced The Truth of the Bible with things like EVILution and other lies straight from the bowels of Hell! Likewise, he has hired himself teachers to pollute the minds of our children in the classroom, and we are basically powerless to do anything about it! In addition, the works of the ancient philosophers are again in vogue as man seeks to inflate his ego and glorify his own mind even further; while at the same time denying The Truths of the Gospel. The above prophecy may have been inspired in part by Paul's own encounters and experiences during his missionary journeys throughout Syria, Cilicia, Asia Minor, Greece, etc. Many times he encountered 'educated' Jews and Gentiles who were so bored with their intellectual lives that all they longed for was to hear something new to tickle their ears. They weren't the least bit interested in The Truth and Wisdom of God. Consider the following example of Paul's encounter with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. The Stoics had been around since about 300 B.C. with their fatalist philosophy of indifference: "Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)" (Acts 17:18-21) Well, Paul obliged them and stood up on Mars' Hill there in Athens and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom to them. As you can see, the results were far different from the thousands which we see being won in Jerusalem in the first few chapters of the Book of Acts. Far away from the original happenings of the Gospels, these heathen were still involved in their pagan beliefs: "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." (Acts 17:32-34) Mars' Hill was a popular place for orators, so it's possible that there may have been hundreds, if not thousands, who heard him preach the Gospel that day. In spite of this, only a small handful accepted his words with gladness. Because of their satisfaction with their own worldly wisdom, they were unable to accept the Wisdom and Salvation which comes from above. What is ironic about this, is that these very people who claimed to be so wise, didn't even know what they believed in! Consider how Paul started out his speech to them: "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." (Acts 17:22-23) This reminds me of something which Jesus also said to the woman of Samaria in John chapter four: "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22) The reason Jesus may have said this to her is because many of the Samarians were pagans and heathen who had moved into Samaria and northern Palestine during the Assyrian and Babylonian occupations. They worshipped other gods, and not the God of Israel. Some of the Samarians were indeed flesh Jews, but they were looked down upon by their fellow Jewish brethren further to the south in Judea, just because of the place where they lived. This is why we are told that the Jews had no dealings with the Samarians: "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." (John 4:9) This is also one of the reasons why Jesus was despised. While He was born in Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem, He spent His boyhood and young adulthood in Galilee which was a region in the extreme north of Palestine beyond Samaria bordering Syria. It is probably because of this reason that Nathanael made the following comment to Philip when he first heard about Jesus: "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." (John 1:46) Considering the overwhelming Scriptural evidence I have been presenting in this article, which clearly shows our Heavenly Father's, Jesus', the Apostle Paul's and others' disdain for earthly wisdom and philosophical knowledge, how can anyone still argue in favor of studying such things? It is for these very reasons that I personally prefer to receive my education directly from the Lord. Every sitting with Him is a new and tremendously inspiring experience. He is more than capable of teaching me all of The Truth that I need to know straight from His Word. Through many hours of study, He has led me to uncover many wonderful treasures in His precious goldmine which I have gladly shared with you, for I am a scribe of His Word: "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." (Matthew 13:52) It is in a one-on-one relationship with Him, sitting at His feet, just as the Disciples and Mary did, that we all can truly learn of the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven: "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42) In fact, this is exactly what the Apostle Paul did following his conversion on the road to Damascus. Some claim that he was a man of the world who studied the arts and philosophies of his time. In my article 'Biblical Cafeteria Part One', I traced the life of Paul, and nowhere did I find him engaging in any of these activities. What we do know is that he was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, which was just north of Syria, and that at an early age he was taken to Jerusalem where he was trained to be a dedicated Pharisee under the tutelage of Gamaliel. Paul tells us these things in his own words in the Book of Acts: "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." (Acts 21:39) "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city [Jerusalem] at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." (Acts 22:3) When Paul appeared before Ananias the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, he also said: "...Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question." (Acts 23:6b) While Paul studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, we really have no idea what his specific course of instruction included. Whether it may have included the arts and philosophies is not known; however, there are no hints of this whatsoever in either the Book of Acts, or in Paul's own epistles. Studying to be a Pharisee was primarily a religious matter, and not a worldly matter. Prior to his conversion, it seems likely that Paul, then called Saul, was a lackey of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, the religious council of the Seventy Elders. Maybe he was career-minded and interested in moving up in the ranks. If he wasn't actually a member of the Sanhedrin, maybe he was a high-ranking Temple guard. After all, for the High Priest to grant him the authority to go after the Christians in Damascus, Saul must have had close ties with him. Saul was their chosen man for the hour. He was a typical manpleaser who prided himself in observing the Torah. In speaking of his own actions and pharisaical zeal prior to his conversion, Paul writes: "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13-14) When he appeared before King Agrippa and Queen Bernice after several years of imprisonment in Caesarea, he told them: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities." (Acts 26:9-11) In light of the testimony of his own words, it doesn't seem to me that Paul studied such worldly things. He was just deeply into his religion. And even if he did study them, which can't be proven, from all of his own words which I have presented in this article, we know that he definitely forsook them at the time of his conversion. In speaking of his own knowledge of the Lord after his conversion, Paul makes it clear in his letter to the Galatians that his primary source of information was the Lord Himself: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) Between his in-depth knowledge of the Torah, and his new relationship with the Lord following his amazing life transformation, Paul must have been a spiritual powerhouse. While he did hobnob with the educated class of his day, it wasn't to learn of their worldly wisdom; but rather to preach to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We find a clear example of this during one of his journeys to Ephesus. While there, he had an extended opportunity to preach in one of the schools of philosophy called Tyrannus: "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:8-10) Notice that it says twice that he was 'disputing' with them. He wasn't just calmly accepting their vain wisdom and philosophies of men; he was telling them that they were dead WRONG, and that they needed to forsake it and accept the Lord and His Word! Like Paul, we too have absolutely NO NEED for the wisdom or philosophies of men. Even if there is any worldly wisdom and truth to be found in the writings or teachings of these other philosophers, sages, doctors, New Age gurus, theologians, psychologists, or whatever name or title they may go by, as Bible-believing Christians, why do we even need it? Just ike the First Disciples, or Mary, or Paul, and like many others, we too can sit at the feet of Jesus and have daily fellowship and communion with Him! We can sit at the very feet of the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe who knows ALL things! What need is there to go snooping around in the Devil's territory? Do you think you are going to find something better there? Do you think maybe God is holding out on you? We are told that our Lord is a jealous God and that He will have no other gods before him! To seek after the wisdom of these other worldly men after having known Jesus and His Word, is to slap God in the face! It is for this very reason that He tells us: "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Corinthians 1:19-20) If you honestly hunger for The Truth in this life, God has promised in His Word that He will reveal it to you, if you earnestly seek His Face and just ask Him to: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8) "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22) "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:14-15) "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalms 81:10) "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' (Malachi 3:10) In conclusion, allow me to ask you: When you do ask the Lord to show you The Truth and to fill you with His Wisdom, where do you think He is going to lead you? To the philosophical writings of mind-wondering worldly men? To some demon-filled Eastern yogi or maharaji? To some dead dry secular humanist? To some deceptive New Age guru? To the questionable quatrains of Nostradamus? To Mohammed and his quagmire of the Qur'an? To some comprising spiritless theologian? To phoney philosophers and off-the-track teachers like Plato, or Aristotle, or Cicero, Or Socrates, or Buddha, or Pliny, Or Confucius, or Maimonides? OF COURSE NOT! When you ask the Lord to lead you to the source of all Truth and Wisdom, He is going to take you directly to HIS BOOK which He authored Himself through His REAL Prophets and Holy Men who feared His Name, and who were filled with His real Spirit of Truth! That is EXACTLY where He is going to lead you; and nowhere else! Jesus made His feelings very clear regarding all of these false mindbenders who came before Him, and who would also come after Him. It is made plain as day in the following two verses. Do YOU believe them?: "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them." (John 10:8) "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) If you are being led to any of these false philosophers who are clearly condemned in the Bible, then perhaps you need to check your 'hotline'. Perhaps there is some static in there. If you are feeling depressed or confused or negative or uncertain about the things you are reading, then perhaps it is not of God. Remember, God is NOT the Author of Confusion!: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." (1 Corinthians 14:33) God's Word will bring peace and joy into your life, and NOT doubts, confusion and depression. Neither will it fill you with false pride and vanity, or with a feeling of superiority. Most of all, reading God's Truth will not cause you to look down to yourself for the answer, or to the world and its so-called 'wise' men, or to the North, South, East or West; it will only cause you to look in one direction; and that is STRAIGHT UP to Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of your faith!: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) And that, my friends, is the Word of God with the bark on it! I truly hope this article has shaken some of you up, and opened your eyes to the deceptive faith-stealing path of seeking out worldly wisdom. If you are on this path, I hope you will now be willing to forsake the ways of Darkness, and get back on the Right Way and the Right Path, following none other than Jesus Christ and His Word found in His Book!: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Proverbs 4:18) May the Lord bless you as you continue to obey and trust only in Him walking along The Path which truly leads to the Perfect Day; the day of the Lord's Coming! The longer you stay on that Path, the brighter it gets; because you are getting closer and closer to Jesus, and He is getting closer and closer to you! Not only that, you will shine brighter and brighter for Him as one of His stars, as a Child of God, as your rewards continue to increase in Heaven! End Of File