The School of Christ: Discover the Missing Element of Knowledge
In the famous painting by Raphael, The School of Athens, there are several things to note. First, this painting is only one of four by Raphael representing the four branches of human knowledge: theology, philosophy, law, and poetry. Directly across The School of Athens is The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament. The School of Athens represents philosophy; The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament represents theology. However, the main flaw of most cultures today is the same displayed in Plato and Aristotle in The School of Athens. Plato and Aristotle represent their philosophies on one side of the wall. And directly in front of them on the other side of the wall is the glorified risen "Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3). Yet like many today, they pursued the acquisition of knowledge, yet do not have their gaze cast upon the One Who gives meaning to all knowledge and virtue. Take note that their eyes are focused on each other as if to be more interested in the lower earthly-leveled world, rather than the heavenly. They beheld not the glory of the Lord but beheld the glory of their own works. Yes, these philosophers and Jesus lived several hundred years apart. And Raphael may not have intended to demonstrate Plato and Aristotle's thoughts on God. Yet, a deep and powerful truth is seen. Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God summed up in One divine Person (1 Corinthians 1:24). And for many millennia man has striven to gain knowledge apart from dependence on Christ. Yet Paul, even after visiting the great philosophers of Athens, noted how the Greeks seek after wisdom, yet "the world by wisdom knew not God" (1Cor. 1:21). From the time of your birth to the time your body goes into the grave, there will be two unavoidable choices to make: the world's wisdom, or the wisdom of God. Will you be part of the School of Athens who set their gaze to behold the works of their own hands and achievements? Or will you be part of the School of Christ who set their gaze to behold the glory of the Lord? What is the cross of Christ to you? Is it foolishness? Or is it the power and wisdom of God? There is no third alternative!
What God has done at the cross in the Person of Jesus Christ is to restore you back to your divine purpose and original intent. In Jesus Christ, God has paid the sin debt that you were held captive to. Life apart from the cross of Christ is a life of misdirected worship. Such a life will end in unrest, unfulfillment, and eternal damnation. You will constantly find your identity in things that were never your true purpose. But a life so identified in the cross of Christ is a life of correctly aimed worship where you find true rest, fulfillment, and eternal righteousness with the Father of all creation.
There are two choices before you: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. To know Christ is to know Truth (Jn 14:6) and to know Truth is to be truly free (Jn. 8:32).
Where are you?
In the pages that follow, there are seven theological/philosophical articles:
* Worldview – Facts do not speak for themselves. They are interpreted by one's own worldview.
* The Bible – What is the Bible? And how can we be sure that what we have today is what was originally penned by the first-century writers?
* Faith and Reason – The two are not as incompatible as most might think!
* Nature of Man – Is there more to man than mere physical body?
* Nature of Evil – Is it real? And if so, does it have a good purpose? Will it end? If God is good, why does He allow it?
* The Universe – Discover why an eternal universe is neither scientifically accurate nor logically possible.
* The Cross and the Crescent – If Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions, then what do we need to know about it and its compatibility with Christianity?
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* Worldview – Facts do not speak for themselves. They are interpreted by one's own worldview.
* The Bible – What is the Bible? And how can we be sure that what we have today is what was originally penned by the first-century writers?
* Faith and Reason – The two are not as incompatible as most might think!
* Nature of Man – Is there more to man than mere physical body?
* Nature of Evil – Is it real? And if so, does it have a good purpose? Will it end? If God is good, why does He allow it?
* The Universe – Discover why an eternal universe is neither scientifically accurate nor logically possible.
* The Cross and the Crescent – If Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions, then what do we need to know about it and its compatibility with Christianity?
The School of Christ: Discover the Missing Element of Knowledge
In the famous painting by Raphael, The School of Athens, there are several things to note. First, this painting is only one of four by Raphael representing the four branches of human knowledge: theology, philosophy, law, and poetry. Directly across The School of Athens is The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament. The School of Athens represents philosophy; The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament represents theology. However, the main flaw of most cultures today is the same displayed in Plato and Aristotle in The School of Athens. Plato and Aristotle represent their philosophies on one side of the wall. And directly in front of them on the other side of the wall is the glorified risen "Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2-3). Yet like many today, they pursued the acquisition of knowledge, yet do not have their gaze cast upon the One Who gives meaning to all knowledge and virtue. Take note that their eyes are focused on each other as if to be more interested in the lower earthly-leveled world, rather than the heavenly. They beheld not the glory of the Lord but beheld the glory of their own works. Yes, these philosophers and Jesus lived several hundred years apart. And Raphael may not have intended to demonstrate Plato and Aristotle's thoughts on God. Yet, a deep and powerful truth is seen. Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God summed up in One divine Person (1 Corinthians 1:24). And for many millennia man has striven to gain knowledge apart from dependence on Christ. Yet Paul, even after visiting the great philosophers of Athens, noted how the Greeks seek after wisdom, yet "the world by wisdom knew not God" (1Cor. 1:21). From the time of your birth to the time your body goes into the grave, there will be two unavoidable choices to make: the world's wisdom, or the wisdom of God. Will you be part of the School of Athens who set their gaze to behold the works of their own hands and achievements? Or will you be part of the School of Christ who set their gaze to behold the glory of the Lord? What is the cross of Christ to you? Is it foolishness? Or is it the power and wisdom of God? There is no third alternative!
What God has done at the cross in the Person of Jesus Christ is to restore you back to your divine purpose and original intent. In Jesus Christ, God has paid the sin debt that you were held captive to. Life apart from the cross of Christ is a life of misdirected worship. Such a life will end in unrest, unfulfillment, and eternal damnation. You will constantly find your identity in things that were never your true purpose. But a life so identified in the cross of Christ is a life of correctly aimed worship where you find true rest, fulfillment, and eternal righteousness with the Father of all creation.
There are two choices before you: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. To know Christ is to know Truth (Jn 14:6) and to know Truth is to be truly free (Jn. 8:32).
Where are you?
In the pages that follow, there are seven theological/philosophical articles:
* Worldview – Facts do not speak for themselves. They are interpreted by one's own worldview.
* The Bible – What is the Bible? And how can we be sure that what we have today is what was originally penned by the first-century writers?
* Faith and Reason – The two are not as incompatible as most might think!
* Nature of Man – Is there more to man than mere physical body?
* Nature of Evil – Is it real? And if so, does it have a good purpose? Will it end? If God is good, why does He allow it?
* The Universe – Discover why an eternal universe is neither scientifically accurate nor logically possible.
* The Cross and the Crescent – If Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions, then what do we need to know about it and its compatibility with Christianity?
* Worldview – Facts do not speak for themselves. They are interpreted by one's own worldview.
* The Bible – What is the Bible? And how can we be sure that what we have today is what was originally penned by the first-century writers?
* Faith and Reason – The two are not as incompatible as most might think!
* Nature of Man – Is there more to man than mere physical body?
* Nature of Evil – Is it real? And if so, does it have a good purpose? Will it end? If God is good, why does He allow it?
* The Universe – Discover why an eternal universe is neither scientifically accurate nor logically possible.
* The Cross and the Crescent – If Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions, then what do we need to know about it and its compatibility with Christianity?
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The School of Christ: Discover the Missing Element of Knowledge
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940162546870 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Kindle |
| Publication date: | 06/10/2021 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 629 KB |
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