An Oxford Education
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB
Gentle – When I arrived at Trinity College, Oxford as a graduate student, I was invited to dinner with the president of the college. I assumed that this was a formal “meet and greet” occasion for all incoming new students. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the president’s home to discover that the dinner was for six – two Nobel laureates and their wives and me and my wife. It was one of the most interesting and gracious dinners I have ever had. That’s when I discovered something quite special about Oxford. The faculty at Oxford are gracious because they have nothing to prove. They are already the best in the world. They have what James would call epieikes, gentleness expressed from a position of full power and authority.
Paul uses this same word to describe the “meekness” of the Messiah (2 Corinthians 10:1). The translation belies the real impact. Yeshua HaMashiach is epieikes because He has the full power and authority of God Himself. He has nothing to prove. It all belongs to Him.
I wonder if we understand what this means for us. Do we spend effort proving our faith to others? Are we caught in the endless battles of proof texts and theological arguments? Do we feel assailed on all sides by critics? If James has anything to say about this, he would tell us to stop the nonsense. We have nothing to prove. That godly wisdom from above which is shown in moral and ritual purity, which is exhibited in the continual conversation with the Father, requires no other justification. We are children of the One to whom all authority has been given. What do we have to prove?
Peter addresses those women who were so anxious to have their disobedient husbands come to the truth that they couldn’t stop insisting on change. In gentleness, he tells them to stop talking. The “proof” is in the pudding. Live it and let it be. Did Yeshua enter into theological arguments with His detractors? Did He give Scriptural justifications? Or did He simply state the claim and note that those with ears would hear and the rest would not. There is a world of difference between genuine inquiry and the demand for validation. Knowing the difference is part of godly wisdom.
The community that honors Yeshua as the first-fruits of righteousness is unconcerned about the rhetoric of justification. “Go and report to John the things that you hear and see,” said Yeshua to John’s talmidim. The actions speak for themselves. Gentleness is not argument. It is the action of righteousness seen by men.
If the talmidim show up at your door and ask, “Are you the one or should we look for another?” what will you tell them? Will you tell them to go report what they hear and see in your life? Will that report be enough to prove your claim to be His disciple?
Topical Index: gentle, epieikes, authority, proof, James 3:17
As I once heard a preacher ask, “If you were tried in court for being a follower of Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Good word!! Love the Oxford illustration.
Nothing to prove…… Well the yoke just doesn’t seem as heavy and the burden seems alot easier. What a way to start the day!
Once again thank you!!!! This today has made me realize the importance of periodically examine ourselves through the Word and ask for wisdom and strenght to recognize when and where we have failed and with the lesson learned continue pressing on.
Wow Skip…James 3:17… what a roller coaster ride! It’s like all of scripture in one verse.
Thanks Skip, it’s difficult for a mind trained in logic, reason, and rhetoric — to reduce those things to their proper place. I have spent most of my life learning, and more recently teaching, science. It has become part of my identity. “Knowledge is power”, is such a difficult paradigm to give up because stupidity, ignorance, weakness, and superstition seem to be what awaits those who do not hold on to this mantra.
What happened to revelation?
Are you teasing out a difference between ‘revealed knowledge’, and the kind of knowledge obtained through scientific methodologies or man’s methods?
I know that man’s “science” (i.e. quest ‘to know’) is a finicky, twisted, vain and biased pursuit – however, it is still difficult not to resort to those disciplines when drawn into apologetics arguments.
look up the two verbs for “to know” in Greek. Ginosko and oida
Okay, so then oida is not power, but concerning the things of God – Ginosko is power. Fluffy words, information, and familiarity with an idea is not power, but having a working, experiential knowledge of God’s ways (the Torah) is power (or the opposite of vanity).
Something like that?
Not quite. The difference is in the epistemology, not the result. Look at some of the material I have written on the two. Check the TDNT. More later. I am pressed right now.
Will do. Thanks.
Yeshua tells us in no uncertain terms that He is life; Shaul tells us that knowing Him is primary and Yochanan tells us that to know and love Him is to obey Him.
Albert Einstein, a non-observant Jew, once observed: “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” Perhaps had he taken Torah seriously he would have added obedience to his life equation and the world wouldn’t just have E=MC2, but perhaps L=KO2 [ life = knowledge times obedience squared (first in the heart and then in our actions)]
I’m no Albert Einstein so I’m sure this equation can be tweaked, but I’m fearful to do so, lest I get sucked in by a Worm Hole and have to start my life all over again. Oy Vey! Shalom, Michael
BTW Arnella and I are in the States for a season due to medical reasons. Is anyone near Indianapolis or know of believers in the area? We miss our brothers and sisters in Jamaica and long for some fellowship. I’m also asking the saints in this cyber community to join us in praying for my heart, liver and lungs which are acting as rebel Confederates and wanting to secede from the Union of my Flesh without constitutional authority. I’m not wanting to start a Civil War, I’m just praying to my Lawrd to set this one slave free!
Michael,
The King’s fulness of light, love, and life into your heart, liver, and lungs!
No succession or rebellion allowed, but coming only into Union under the banner of the King’s shalom!
Dear Michael and Arnella,
Praying for your total healing!
Abba, hear the desires of our brother and sister as they submit their request for Your intervention. Hear our petitons also as we lift them to Your rightful Throne in our prayers.
Thank you for interrupting our lives to draw us closer to You! We trust in Your goodness and mercy. You are worthy, our Father, to be worshipped and adored now and forever. Amen.
My step-father told me the same thing about people with money. Of course, you see the worldly displays, but most people we knew with money, had nothing to prove. You would never have guessed if you just met them on the street.
As far as science goes, true science will always prove creation and the things made. How can it do otherwise? Everything produces after its kind, and all things exist because he made them that way.
THANK YOU SKIP for sharing what has been shared. I was ministered concerning the `NOTHING TO PROVE“ theory and to be amongs those who had done and are continuing to do their homework is so rewarding as we wait upon HIM . Thank you again.
Thank you Michael. I love this quote from Albert Einstein,
“any fool can know, the point is to understand.” (just start asking “why?”-lol!)
This will be added to my “quote collection!.” IMHO-everyone should have one, or maybe I’m just ‘Greek enough’ to actually enjoy a positive thought! And even further than this.. (let’s kick it up a notch!)- Sometimes, I actually, (please-don’t’ tell anyone!) do enjoy thinking! – especially as I meditate upon (but not nearly enough!)- upon the life-giving words of our Father which are written for our instruction, benefit and blessing in His Book, – our Bible.
I need knowledge (revelation) for I have discovered, ignorance may be bliss (as some would advise) but at times ignorance can be very costly, especially when it comes to ignorance about what the scriptures, the words of our LORD, say. Concerning our “lack of knowledge,” it is seems sometimes to be pandemic. (give me your tired, your poor,- your ignorant masses!- nothing like stupid people in large groups!- or so “they” say! ) What did Rabbi Sha’ul (the apostle Paul) mean by, ~ I would not have you ignorant brethren ~, and even our Master Himself said to the “religious elite” of His day,- “you do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God,” and it was it not God Himself who said through His prophet Hosea, ~My own people are being destroyed because they don’t know Me? ~ (Hosea 4.6). These words convict me, and “stick” me for I am one “ignorant cuss” when it comes to knowing the words of life, and I will gladly, freely confess- as a little child, I need instruction,- I need to hear His Voice behind me saying, “this is the Way, walk in it,” and I am so grateful for the marvelous promise we have been given, “ask and you will receive.” One of my greatest needs (no doubt) is guidance, (if there’s one thing a blind man needs- it is guidance) and God, (who cannot lie) has promised to “whosoever will,”- (which may I assume includes me?) and His “good news” to us is ~ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you ~ (Psalm 32.8) and again ~ Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways ~ (Psalm 25.8) and again ~ Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul ~ (Psalm 143:8) and again ~ guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long ~ (Psalm 25:5).
If only. If only a child would listen to and obey the instructions of his or her Father, this child would be blessed and the Father also!) Is there anything we might do to bless our ABBA, to cause Him to smile?
~For what do the scriptures say? ~ For I have no greater joy than this, that I hear that my children are walking in the truth ~ (3 John 1.4) And what (he inquired) gives more joy to any father than an obedient child?