Lance wrote: > Main point from Dean: A child can 'understand'. > To some extent a child CAN understand. > However, ... a child does NOT have the > capacity to sign on TT and resolve matters of > difference say, between Bill Taylor and David > Miller.
I'm with Lance on this one. Let me make a parallel point. Salvation is not based upon intellect, and therefore salvation is not based upon any intellectual understanding. All that is needed is to hear the truth and believe it. There is a basic level of spiritual understanding, but for the most part, intellect is not involved. It is a hearing and faith thing. Now knowledge can go far beyond this. So can understanding. This knowledge and understanding produces good, and so we appreciate it. But such does not make the knowledgeable and intelligent better than the ignorant and those of average or below average intelligence. Knowledge and intelligence are only different functions within the body of Christ. Just as the eye is not better than the ear, mouth, or foot, so it is with the intellectual versus the non-intellectual. What I see Judy and Dean objecting to is the elevation of intellectual understanding to a place where it ought not be. In other words, must one understand the teachings of Torrance, Barth, etc. in order to experience the Lord? Are the ones who have studied the writings of these theologians better off than the ones who have not? Last point for Judy. When we get into deeper theological studies, we often do so without the participation of children. For example, at my home church meeting last Sunday, we got into eschatology, studying a little about the last days, the antichrist, etc. There was a good bit of history and Judeo background that I discussed. What I shared was far beyond my youngest children's ability to understand, so I don't require them to sit in on such discussions. However, there were many adults there who were interested and could understand and interact. So what do we do? Do we skip the study because children can't understand, or do we allow the children and adults to persue different paths in their studies? I opt for the latter. Do you understand where I am coming from? David Miller. ---------- "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.
