What does it mean, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom?"?

Question

Did God want even children to understand his Word?

If so, why are there Theologians?

If a child "fears" God and is literally scared of God. Isn't that the "beginning" of that child's wisdom as the Bible plainly says?

Why would an older Christian try to change the word "fear" to a "better" one - to give that child a different understanding that the one that comes naturally?

Why is it necessary for ministers to constantly paraphrase and explain something that even a child should be able to understand?

Answer 1

Your question truly angered me. I'm not a Christian but know a lot about many religions. First the word fear is derived from the same word as respect.If God wanted fear then then He being all powerful could get truly get it. One verse to think about GOD IS LOVE, and unless your a sick drunk spouse beater you would know being afraid of and loving are truly different. If there are little kids afraid of God the parents of these kids need to be drug in to the street and shot(not literally) So tell me were do you get your sources. I would gladly help you find that which you seek

Answer 2

That is a lost doctrine today. The fear of God is almost gone from Christian thinking today and so Christians have little deterant to sinning. A reading of Hebrews 10 - 12 should put a bit of fear back in some, but people rarely read what they don't agree with.
Having said that there is something lost in translation in the term fear of God and the real rendering of it does reflect the concept of a person who is constantly aware of the fact that God sees them at all times and in everythng they do.
The thing that destroys a child's fear of God is the lack of fear of parents and authority today. It is God's intention that a child learn to fear authority (Rom 14 or 13) and as they get older they will automatically transfer that fear to God as they recognize that He is the ultimate authority.

Answer 3

In this case, the word 'fear' means respect. Having respect for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. I'm 41, I've been a Christian since I was 17. I have never once been scared or frightened of God but I have a reverential respect for Him. An awe so all-encompassing that it borders on 'fear'.

Words do change their meaning (just look at how the word 'gay' has changed its meaning in the last 50 years.) over time and now, the main definition of 'fear' is only 'fright' but it hasn't always been the case.

Anyway God is supposed to be an immense being of unlimited power who exists outside our spacetime, I would be afraid if I got on such a being's wrong side. Fortunately, we're also told that this being is also one of pure love, I have reverential awe not the screaming heebeejeebies.

Answer 4

The fear of wisdom. Only time you should fear God is when you do wrong. And commonly that is what is taught. You are taught that God loves you, but should you inflict evil upon another, you should expect the repercussions of that evil which you have done. But why is it easier to be faithless? Simple. Because the faithless are the majority, and they will do whatever it takes to take away the faith of men who believe in truth. Not soak in lies told by knaves and jackals. Twisting truth into their own. And the most common thing is that both institutions are not taught properly. EXAMPLE: Evolution in school. Some teachers will talk about the "Creation" from the Bible standpoint half hearted, but when they get into the "Science" of it, their enthusiasm has changed dramatically. Hence, their teaching is a flawed from that point. And the mind of decietful men are cunning, to say the least.

Answer 5

Your initial question doesn't have anything to do with theologians and what they say.

To answer your initial question, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom because when people come to God, many times it is out of fear of God and any consequences for living a Godless life that s/he confesses to God, asks for forgiveness, and tries to become closer to God and live as He wants. At first the motivation is fear, then the motivation turns into other things, like a desire for love, for security, for fellowship with other believers, for a deeper understanding of God, etc etc. A person's motivations for going to God can change, but many times fear is the initial motivation. And this is a good thing, because it renders a deepening life with God as time goes on.

Answer 6

God did want us to understand His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He sent His Holy Spirit to help us to understand His Word and His intentions toward us. Theologians are not always Christians themselves. Sometimes they are just individuals intend on trying to dispel who Jesus is. That is why the Word of God says that we should study(His Word) to shew ourselves approved. That way when anyone comes to you with anything that you know that is not in the Bible you can cast that down. Everyone does not have the same level of maturity or understanding. Some things you may deem need not be explained, someone else may be glad it was explained because they did not understand. May God Bless U.

Answer 7

i would be coping with that with the aid of my blog, and need you will open your pre-concepts and project there. God has the main suitable means to split something that desires to be separated, in basic terms such as you . organic or worldly people want they might have this means in basic terms like devil did (does). the phobia of the Lord is the beginning up of expertise, however the phobia of the Lord is extra mentioned in believers. The bible says even the devils worry and tremble, so what does that inform you with regard to the so called atheists? ALL have self assurance in God, yet materialism blinds them by the deceitfulness of sin (disobedience ).

Answer 8

dear stupid fellow have you ever heard that some child got affraid of God.2ndly it is not the fear of His Self but the fear of His taking us into account.fear of that if we commit something wrong He will punish us it is the fear of hell so that people can stop murdering others .looting other.insulting others,.can u tell that how many of us has stopped doing evil despite the fear of hell or poetic justice .do we hasitate a little in committing sin.this is the fear of punishment that let us to think that si it wise to put ourselves in hell .you dont worry about children God Knows how to look after the tiny wint creatures of His own.

Answer 9

the fear of the law and jail is the reason we live in peace with each other. This fear means respect, not terror. With God, we'll be wise enough to know "truth and consequeces"

Answer 10

Brainwashing, you must brainwash the child, so that they can go on the brainwash their children.

Tell them never to question the bible, never to think for themselves, no matter the evidence against the bible and religion, Just believe.