The Age of Reason

I like this phrase..."The Age of Reason"-echo-echo-echo-echo. I don't know, it just seems...well...intellegent. I know that it was a period prior to the "age of enlightenment" but Thomas Paine is not where I am going with this.

Shouldn't there be an "age" of reason just like we talk of an "age" of accountability. Shoudn't there come and time in our own lives where we reach a place of reasoning in our spiritual development. I think so...and I think that leads to our own individual "age of enlightenment".

To back up a little, so I have obviously been on this maturity kick (read my last blog). But my pleading for maturity is not satisfying enough. I wanted to understand where we were losing it in our faith.

First, I have embraced that fact that is not a flaw in our faith (Christianity). We read in Corinthians that God does impart a "secret wisdom" and in Chapter 14 it elaborates that we should be "mature in thinking".

Second, I believe there is much evidence to support (both scripturally and secularly) that reasoning preceeds enlightment (just like in our human history). The jist is that we must ponder before we realize. But since this claim is not what I am blogging about, I will proceed. (you can inquire later for a more evidenced explanation)

So to conclude, I am seeing less maturity becuase people are not making the investment to reason. I encounter assimilated opinions, legalism, and blatant ignorance daily. Most of these encounters can simply be resolved with some one taking the time to walk through their reasons for such opinions and behaviors. Ask yourself, "why do I think this", "what is the point", "what can be achieved", "who might this affect". These are questions I see from those who are reasoning. And the nice thing is, as they practice this reasoning, they eventaully become enlightened to human behavior, spiritual insight, and cause & effect. These people come across mature.

I know, I know..."mindless chatter again"...but really, perhaps we should all ask ourselves what standard we are holding for those who represent Christ. I personally want to encourage people to be founded on the rock of Christ and the sand of shifting public and cultural opinion.