David Miller: Bless you for handling this in a non-contentious fashion. I'm humbled by your demeanour. Lance ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: April 02, 2004 10:15 Subject: [TruthTalk] Education - Is it evil?
> Judy wrote: > > ... when I hear someone speak on that level with > > understanding that can only come from God - I > > listen. But when someone tries to impress with > > big words and complicated semantics. Oh well! > > To each his own. > > I think what you said here identifies the root problem that exists when > educated men speak and you are present. It seems to me that perhaps you > are insecure with your own educational level. You surmise that when > someone uses "big words" or "complicated semantics" that they are trying > to impress someone. Most of the time, that is not at all the case. > > The reason that "big words" are used is simply because those who > exercise themselves toward serious study begin to develop a larger > vocabulary. Their knowledge of other scholars who have gone before them > increases, and their knowledge of words increase. They use "big words" > because such words better convey a meaning. Of course, if they knew > ahead of time that such words were considered "big words" by their > audience, they would not use them, or if they did, they would back up > and define them first. > > What bothers me with your reaction to the educated among us is that it > perpetuates a class system among us. Scholars invariably become more > esoteric in their language and understanding. It is simply an artifact > of serious study that goes beyond the level in which others engage. > When I was a student in biology, there were very few people who I could > talk with about biology. The only people I could talk with concerning > my interests in biology were other professors and graduate students > because nobody else could understand what I was talking about. They did > not understand the words I used, and they did not understand the > concepts. The further I progressed in my studies, the more lonely I > became in regards to academic discussions. I would have to travel > across the country to conventions with other scientists to present my > research with those who would understand, and I would read journals that > only scientists read, the titles of which most people had never heard > and could not understand when I said them. "What are you reading?" I > would reply, "Copies." They would say, "Huh?" I would say, "oh, just a > scientific journal." "Oh, ok. So, what is the article about?" I would > reply, "It is about the ontogenetic relationship between prey size and > body size in Nerodia fasciata compressicauda." They would reply, > "What?" I think you can see how tedious conversations became and why I > might have a tendency to crawl into my own shell and be more of a > hermit. > > My point is that I never wanted to impress anyone with big words or my > knowledge. It is just that my studies took me into a realm that > invariably separated me from others who did not pursue such studies. > Believe me, I would do almost anything to be able to communicate with > non-biologists about my own research and interests, but the nature of > serious study simply separates scholars from non-scholars, both in > language (words used) and in understanding. > > Now the same thing happens in theological discussions. I believe that > in Christ, these natural barriers that separate the educated from the > non-educated should come tumbling down. There are two sides to this. > The one who is educated needs to tread a little more softly and try not > to inundate others with big words and difficult material. On the other > hand, those who are less educated should not marginalize those who are > educated, nor should they have the attitude that everyone educated is > arrogant or dismissive of the uneducated. Somehow, we need to be joined > together, the educated with the uneducated, in a way that is peaceful > and harmonious. I do not believe that the educated must cease from his > studies, neither do I believe that the uneducated must marginalize the > educated, in order for this to happen. What do you think, Judy? > > Peace be with you. > David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. > > ---------- > "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org > > If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
