3rd & 4th June

We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true - even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5, 20

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no-one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 2, 11

Human intelligence and Christian faith

Intelligence notes evil, pain and disorder in creation which has God's stamp. However, it cannot know the cause. It also notes that man always is thirsty for happiness and man dashes useless for something which is everlasting and infinite, something which escapes it's exam. It's ability is admirable, it can establish reports between the facts; it searches everything which world where I live offers to my eyes; but on top of that everything darkens around it. Clearness can only come from somewhere else. Only the Creator can explain his creation. Pascal wrote: "God speaks of God." He is the only one who can do this.

Now, God has spoken and he wanted to clear up the night. He reminds us on his rights over man, perdition of man and the necessity of salvation which we cannot achieve ourselves. He showed us his love for the world in sacrifying his Son Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a mystery and madness for man, but whoever believes can receive salvation through God. Salvation is the door to a new world. Everything seems clear. Intelligence is not left outside. On the contrary if intelligence is brought to light the believer can use it in a magnificent way.

Intelligence is a marvellous ability which God has given to his creatures. However it can be used and is often used in a bad way like all the gifts of the Creator. This ability is necessary in human world. Sometimes it can rise up very high.

It can even conceive certain attributes of God: the apostle Paul teaches us that in fact through intelligence we can discern "his everlasting might and his divinity" in creation (Romans 1, 20).

However, intelligence cannot go any further in regard of divine things. It cannot grasp God's true nature. Creatures cannot understand the Creator. The most clever scientist cannot conceive and manufacture a robot which surpasses God in intelligence and which penetrates his thoughts.

This recording could lead us to hopelessness if we only would depend on our own means. It makes us admit the absolute necessity of a divine revelation. As believers we know that this revelation is in the Bible. In the Bible God reveals us his Son and as lost sinners we greet him as the Saviour of our souls. At his time the Son brings us to God and he reveals him as the Father (Matthew 11, 27).