Wisdom of the Ages: The mature vs. the immature in Christianity?

Question

JESUS
Luke 8:9-11
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand."

PAUL
1 Corinthians 2:6
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

Clearly, some secrecy going on here. Jesus taught his disciples differently from the masses, and Paul as well insinuates secrecy. What of these secret teachings? Those of inner transformation, spiritual alchemy, the Secret Wisdom of the Ages. As Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you".

Why do contemporary Christians have so much trouble with this? Why do they only want the milk of Christianity and not meat?

Answer 1

In order to survive, a religion has to attract adherents. If a religion only appealed to mature people, it would die out, because there simply aren't enough of them. As a result, religions need to attract immature adherents to survive.

Religions will never be purely tolerant or intellectual or particularly demanding, any more than your local grocery will ever make you answer tough questions about produce before allowing you to shop there.
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S'okay, Hog. My apologies for my response, and my great respect for your ability to admit your error: you've proven your maturity.

Answer 2

Good question, Christine.

That's like paying for tuition to college just so you can get a class ring ...and then not going to school after you got it.

I've always been an "all or nothing" gal myself... If I myself don't want 1/2 of anything, how can God?

Blessings to you :)

**"mature" doesn't mean "mature in age" lol Got to agree that people tend to look at someone whom are young and tell them they shouldn't know all that so young simply because THEY THEMSELVES didn't know at "that age" or are only learning it themselves... Ran into that a LOT as I ventured out to meet other "christians".... had even been told that though it "seemed" I was "blessed" with "knowledge or gifts" it wasn't from GOD because I had never been to church and only those whom go to church can be taught that.... Oh yes, I understand the difference between "mature Christians" and simply being mature in "age"...age has nothing to do with it...if the mind and heart and love is willing and can understand with the Holy Spirit's help, then God will grant the request....and no "man" has the right to limit anyone.... nor, should we teach anyone to limit God.

Blessings all :)

Answer 3

The "inner transformation" you speak of is a spiritual one. There's no such thing as"spiritual alchemy", and only God possesses the Wisdom of the Ages.Read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 2 to get the context.

Answer 4

WISDOM; there is wisdom from above which comes down through a personal relationship with JESUS and there is a wisdom that comes from beneath through a disobedient relationship with Satan. therefor wisdom from above cant even be understood or perceived through the natural intellect, you must be born again as JESUS told Nicodemus. JESUS had to speak to the masses through parables which had just as much wisdom in it , the purpose was to seek and save them that where lost. most believers are so heavenly bound that they are no earthly good. if preachers would teach more like JESUS did and stop preaching hell fire messages the babes in Christ could get off milk and on to meat through a process of doing the will of god. i would rather see a sermon manifested in a persons life through a personal relationship with Jesus than hear one in church through a milk minded preacher; we all need to be taught all over again the basic principals of Christ.

Answer 5

I think I agree with Paul S on this one, but there is a thing called "Bible Study" that happens at nearly every church and even in living rooms across the world every day, where the "mature" will meet together and study the deeper meanings in the Bible and grow in their faith, however, younger people are often excluded due to the fact that it is believed that they will not understand or they will disrupt the meeting.
talk to your preacher or fellow church members about a study group and you may be happy with what comes of it.

Answer 6

Excellent food for thought. And I have often thought of this---some of the teachings of Jesus were not mainstream (in fact most weren't) -- so they were taught only to those He trusted most. I believe this secret wisdom had to do with more mystical teachings and deeper spiritual thought. -- Blessings!

Answer 7

The genuine mature Christian would drop the Pauline Gospel and go back to the Original Kingdom Gospel. That would be real maturity.

The Kingdom Gospel is described in great detail in the free online book, "Gospel Enigma."

Answer 8

Trust In God.
Have faith in God.
Only God is God.

Religion is a business.
And very shrewed businessmen they are!

Answer 9

I believe understanding of God's word is given by Him. If you want knowledge you must ask it of God.

Answer 10

The parable of the seed


Gospel According to Saint Luke
Chapter 8

9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. 10 To whom he said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand.

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"Seeing they may not see"... See the annotation, Mark 4:12.
Gospel According to Saint Mark
Chapter
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
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11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. 13 Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. 15 But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.




First Epistle Of Saint Paul To The Corinthians
Chapter 2
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world that come to nought; 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew; for if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But to us God hath revealed them, by this Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of a man that is in him? So the things also that are of God no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God; that we may know the things that are given us from God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the learned words of human wisdom; but in the doctrine of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined. 15 But the spiritual man judgeth all things; and he himself is judged of no man.



His preaching was not in loftiness of words, but in spirit and power. And the wisdom he taught was not to be understood by the worldly wise or sensual man, but only by the spiritual man.



"The sensual man"... The sensual man is either he who is taken up with sensual pleasures, with carnal and worldly affections; or he who measureth divine mysteries by natural reason, sense, and human wisdom only. Now such a man has little or no notion of the things of God. Whereas the spiritual man is he who, in the mysteries of religion, takes not human sense for his guide: but submits his judgment to the decisions of the church, which he is commanded to hear and obey. For Christ hath promised to remain to the end of the world with his church, and to direct her in all things by the Spirit of truth.