"I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants."
2007-11-26 07:15:45 · 24 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus was saying that people who are considered wise and intelligent by the world have missed truths that God has revealed to people who were like children. He loved atheists (and still does), but didn't actually believe that they were wise or intelligent in their decision to deny God.
The Bible says that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Cor 1:27), and says of people who deny God "Professing themselves to be wise they became fools" (Rom1:22). Also, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1).
Always use the Bible first to interpret the Bible! If you do a little searching, you'll find plenty more verses on this topic.
2007-11-26 07:24:45 · answer #1 · answered by Your Friendly Neighborhood Skip 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure, if only to attain that which is perishable for those who are perishing. To attain spiritual growth and eternal life something more is needed.
This is really a good example of being too 'smart' for ones own good. The 'wise' and 'intelligent' love to flatter themselves of their worldly wisdom. But, time will tell and has already spoken the contrary. Even if no one speaks of their faults, the results of their errant ways will still speak volumes.
Jesus said that those who seek the Truth with the open minded and sincere nature of a little child would be granted spiritual wisdom and inherit the eternal kingdom of God. The 'know-it-alls' though, have a learning disability - conceited pride. This is a stumbling block. This is often the case for nonbelievers and hypocrites.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength - 1 Corinthians 1:25. His strength is a weakness to the non believer. His wisdom is foolishness to the faithless. But, man really has nothing without God. Man by his own (and even most gifted) intelligence and all his mortal effort have thus far and will always lead to nothing.
Only God can truly give life and eternal salvation. It's better even to crawl in the light than it is to walk in darkness.
2007-11-26 16:11:41 · answer #2 · answered by F'sho 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wasn't referencing atheists here; He was talking about the Jewish scholars and priests, who thought they were wise, but were fools -- just as Scripture promised would happen:
Isaiah 29:14 "Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden."
2007-11-26 15:29:35 · answer #3 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think this was really before the word atheist was created, but it seems to point to that conclusion now doesn't it!?
I personally feel that if this Jesus fellow existed, and he was able to come back and see what a mockery Christianity had made of him... he would be so pissed -- having spent his life learning and trying to teach others about kindness and acceptance. (I liken him to Buddha in this way.) It is an serious insult to his life and lessons. Although it is hard to decipher what Jesus might really have taught, with all the mess the Bible has made of him.
2007-11-26 15:19:56 · answer #4 · answered by I, Sapient 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm pretty sure that that verse is in reference to attitude about life. The wise and intellegent were not the ones ingnorant of God, but ones that thought they could control their own life and didn't need Jesus of God. Yet infants, though uneducated and unaware of God, realize that they must depend on others for survival.
2007-11-26 15:20:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think Jesus respects atheists the same way a magician respects the audience members that understand he isn't actually pulling a rabbit out of his hat.
2007-11-26 16:24:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That scripture is stating that the wise and intellegent trust science over god. People that are naive and child like will trust god. You need to read the chapters before and after to find out why it is important.
2007-11-26 15:24:17 · answer #7 · answered by tequilakee 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As you appear to be someone familiar with "sarcasm", I surprised that you did not recognize it when you read that verse. Jesus was talking sarcastically, as he did on many occassions, when he called those who are spiritually ignorant "wise and intelligent".
2007-11-26 15:24:19 · answer #8 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course not. The way to eternal life and to the Father is through Jesus. How can you do this, if you are NOT wven willing to acknowledge His existence? You have taken this Scripture passage twisted it's meaning.
2007-11-26 15:20:16 · answer #9 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Jesus loved everybody for who they were.
He thought everyone was special.
I'm sure Atheists count.
But what he ment when he said this was more like...
infants are there and the are sweet and inocent and want nothing but their mommas milk.we should all be like infants
2007-11-26 15:21:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋