Wise Enough By Half
Mensa is an organization for people with an IQ of 140 or higher that provides a forum for intellectual exchange among members. Its activities include the exchange of ideas by lectures, discussions, journals, special-interest groups, and local, regional, national, and international gatherings; the investigations of members opinions and attitudes; and assistance to researchers, inside and outside Mensa, in projects dealing with intelligence or Mensa. (Mensa Constitution) <http://www.mensa.org/>
A few years ago, there was a Mensa convention in San Francisco, and several members lunched at a local cafe.
While dining, they discovered that their salt shaker contained pepper and their pepper shaker was full of salt. A dilemma indeed!
So, how could they swap the contents of the bottles without spilling, and using only the implements at hand? Clearly this was a job for Mensa!
The group debated among themselves, presented ideas, and finally came up with a brilliant solution involving a napkin, a straw and an empty saucer. They called their waitress over to dazzle her with their solution.
"Ma'am", they began, "we couldn't help but notice that the pepper shaker contains salt and the salt shaker..."
"Oh", the waitress interrupted. "Sorry about that." She then simply unscrewed the caps of both shakers and switched them. <http://www.thirdage.com/news/articles/ALT06/07/10/18/ALT06071018-02.html> (with just a bit of editing ~tmh)
Now what do you reckon about that?? Assuming the story's true, (it might not be) seems all that high IQ, fancy finagling, and clever calculating couldn't (didn't) help them see the simplicity of the solution to their problem. The answer to their question, though glaringly obvious, was beneath their learning. Not to be unkind, but I don't consider it much of a stretch to see their oversight as more than just a bit foolish. By taking too much pride in their (higher?) intellect the Mensa folks were inclined to look past what was right in front of them.
We live in a world where wisdom is sometimes measured by virtue of accomplishment. And our accomplishments have been many. We do, for a fact, live in a world made better and healthier by breakthroughs in medicine; a world made smaller by our progress is areas of communication and travel; a world made a little safer by advanced storm tracking radar and a world made a lot more dangerous by advanced weaponry.
We live in a world where the wise say give us a problem or question and we'll provide the solution or answer. Problem is, the "wise" are sometimes a little mixed as to what the problem is. The greater problem facing us today isn't the need to accomplish more in the fields of medicine, communication, or storm tracking. It isn't warding off threats from foreign countries. It isn't the price of gasoline. It's not the economy. It's not sex and/or drugs. It's not illegal immigration. Neither is it (believe it or don't) global warming.
Seems to me, the biggest problem facing mankind now remains the one Paul addressed nearly 2000 years ago: The inclination of the "wise" to look past God.
"what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:19b-22a NKJV)
The "wise" have inclined to look past God and instead looked to the stars for answers to questions concerning how everything came to be in existence and have asked, "Is there really a God?". The "wise" have inclined to look past God and looked to the oceans for answers to questions regarding the beginning of life and have said, "There might not be a God.". The "wise" have inclined to look past God and looked to the earth with its fossil remains of long dead men and animals for answers to questions already answered some 6000 years ago and have asked, "Can there be a God?". The "wise" have inclined to look past God and have looked through the telescopes and microscopes of other men and said, "There probably is no God.". The "wise" have inclined to look past God, looked into mirrors and, blinded by the refection of their own wisdom, said, "There can be no God.".
I've known Christians who've had difficulties dealing with some of the teachings of the "wise" and their inclination to doubt or deny God. Those difficulties aren't unusual or strange. After all, the "wise are considered by most to be well respected, well read, and well educated. How are any of us supposed to prove them wrong? Consider this and take comfort. The burden of proof is not and never has been on you or me to prove there's one God, the Creator and Ruler of all. The burden of proof is rather on those "professing to be wise" to prove otherwise and they cant do it! Despite their learning, despite their IQ, despite their wisdom, they can't offer to you or anyone else the first bit of proof for the non-existence of our God. All in this world they can absolutely, positively, unconditionally, and unequivocally prove is that they really and truly have "became fools".
So, next time you hear those of high (or not so high) IQ professing to be wise and at the same time leaving God out of the picture, remember three things:
- Paul said you're dealing with fools. (Romans 1:22)
- "For we walk by faith, not by sight". (2 Corinthians 5:7)
- Those salt and pepper shakers.
Amen, anyone?
~Teddy Horton <teddy@procaremedicalinc.net>
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