You ought to make it your business while here to obtain an education in the things of God, as well as in the arts and sciences. To learn your duty to God and to your fellow-men, should be your highest aim. I can see a broad field open before you. Take hold intelligently and understandingly, working with your whole soul, mind, and strength, and you will see the work go forward.
{RH, April 1, 1880 par. 12}
This week's lesson directs us to the concepts that there's relatedness in all between creation and education. These concepts will be discussed in this lesson. As we proceed to the spiritual insight herewith, let's carefully and prayerfully consider the outline below.
I. The Foundation of Education:
A. God and Education in Sciences
B. God and Education in Arts
II. Education in Arts and Sciences:
A. Avoiding Common Mistakes
B. Seeking Excellence
III. Conflicts between Faith and Science
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. " {Psalms 19:1}
Men of the highest education in the arts and sciences have learned precious lessons from Christians in humble life who were designated by the world as unlearned. But these obscure disciples had obtained an education in the highest of all schools. They had sat at the feet of Him who spoke as "never man spake." {DA 251.2}
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
After their return from Babylon, much attention was given by the Jewish leaders to religious instruction. All over the country, synagogues were erected, in which the law was expounded by the priests and scribes. And schools were established, wherein were to be taught not only the arts and sciences, but also the principles of righteousness. But these agencies became corrupted. During the captivity, many of the people had received heathen ideas and customs, and these were brought into their religious service. In many things they conformed to the practices of idolaters. {SW, March 28, 1905 par. 3}
The first great lesson in all education is to know and understand the will of God. We should bring into every day of life the effort to gain this knowledge. To learn science through human interpretation alone is to obtain a false education, but to learn of God and Christ is to learn the science of heaven. The confusion in education has come because the wisdom and knowledge of God have not been exalted. {CG 293.3}
The precepts and principles of religion are the first steps in the acquisition of knowledge, and lie at the very foundation of true education. Knowledge and science must be vitalized by the Spirit of God in order to serve the noblest purposes. The Christian alone can make the right use of knowledge. Science, in order to be fully appreciated, must be viewed from a religious standpoint. The heart which is ennobled by the grace of God can best comprehend the real value of education. The attributes of God, as seen in his created works, can be appreciated only as we have a knowledge of the Creator. In order to lead the youth to the fountain of truth, to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, the teachers must not only be acquainted with the theory of the truth, but must have an experimental knowledge of the way of holiness. Knowledge is a power when united with true piety. {CE 32.1}
God and education in sciences.
— When we study how God designed life in genetics and the conception process, we see the wonders of His kind love.
— The more we learn about the laws of nature God established, the more reasons we have to praise Him for His wisdom.
— As Paul said, we “are without excuse” to deny the existence of God after having studied nature (Romans 1:20).
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
“He who placed the pearls in the ocean and the amethyst and the chrysolite among the rocks is a lover of the beautiful. The sun rising in the heavens is the representative of Him who is the light and life of all that He has made. All the brightness and beauty that adorn the earth and light up the heavens speak of God.” E.G.W. (My Life Today, June 20)
To the young who are obtaining an education at our College, we would say, Do not let your studies hinder you from attending these meetings, and learning what you can. You ought to make it your business while here to obtain an education in the things of God, as well as in the arts and sciences. To learn your duty to God and to your fellow-men, should be your highest aim. I can see a broad field open before you. Take hold intelligently and understandingly, working with your whole soul, mind, and strength, and you will see the work go forward. {RH, April 1, 1880 par. 12}
Men of the highest education in the arts and sciences have learned precious lessons from Christians in humble life who were designated by the world as unlearned. But these obscure disciples had obtained an education in the highest of all schools. They had sat at the feet of Him who spoke as "never man spake." {DA 251.2}
The greatest curse of our world in this our day is idleness. It leads to needless amusements merely to please and gratify self. The students have had a superabundance of this way of passing their time. They are now to have a different education, that they may be prepared to go forth from the school with an all-round education. We are to keep before the school the development of the useful arts, acquiring adaptability and talents to be employed to be co-laborers with God. This kind of knowledge will open to them doors of welcome for foreign fields, and the building of plain, simple homes will be essential. {1SAT 280.2}
— Sin entered the world thousands of years ago. However, we can still find beauty in nature.
— God is the source of beauty. He loves physical and spiritual beauty.
— Nevertheless, not everything beautiful is also good. Solomon warned us about sinful people: “Do not lust after her beauty in your heart”, because they will drag you to sin (Proverbs 6:25).
“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding […] contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” (1 Timothy 6:20 )
Neglect of prayer leads men to rely on their own strength, and opens the door to temptation. In many cases the imagination is captivated by scientific research, and men are flattered through the consciousness of their own powers. The sciences which treat of the human mind are very much exalted. They are good in their place; but they are seized upon by Satan as his powerful agents to deceive and destroy souls. His arts are accepted as from Heaven, and he thus receives the worship which suits him well. The world, which is supposed to be benefited so much by phrenology and animal magnetism, never was so corrupt as now. Through these sciences, virtue is destroyed, and the foundations of Spiritualism are laid. And thousands are conversing with, and receiving instructions from, this demon-god, and are acting according to his teachings, all the while supposing that they are obeying the voice of God through their dead friends. {ST, November 6, 1884 par. 12}
— The scientific discoveries that make our lives easier have also been used for warlike purposes. Art forms like painting, photography, or cinema have been corrupted by avarice, the love of money, or self-satisfaction.
— On the other hand, science has not always been completely right. For example, the experts believed the Earth was the center of our universe many years ago.
— Therefore, Paul warned us from having unquestioning faith in our knowledge, but to pursue “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” (1Tim. 6:11)
“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Says Paul, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." This scripture is especially applicable as a warning against modern Spiritualism. If the mind commences to run in the channel of phrenology and animal magnetism, it is almost sure to lose its balance. "Vain deceit" takes possession of the imagination. Many think there is such power in themselves that they do not realize their need of help from a higher power. Their principles and faith are "after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Jesus has not taught them this. He does not direct the minds of men to themselves, but to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of strength and wisdom. {ST, November 13, 1884 par. 1}
— True excellence can be achieved by using all that knowledge in a wise way. And “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7)
— God gives us the Holy Spirit so we can achieve wisdom, knowledge, and artistry (Exodus 35:31).
— This way we’ll be able to distinguish good from evil, and to apply our scientific and artistic knowledge correctly.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4)
The victim of this sophistry is beguiled of his reward; for he is led to rely upon his own merits for salvation. Many exercise voluntary humility, are even willing to make sacrifices, to debase themselves, and to yield their minds to the belief of supreme nonsense. They receive the most absurd and erroneous ideas from those whom they believe to be their dead friends, now angels in a higher sphere; and their eyes are so blinded and their judgment so perverted that they see not the evil. {ST, November 13, 1884 par. 2}
"One that is calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Evil angels come in the form of these loved ones; they relate incidents connected with their lives, and perform acts which they performed while living. In this way they lead persons to believe that their dead friends are angels, hovering about them and communing with them. These evil angels who assume to be dead friends, are regarded with a certain idolatry, and with many, what they may say has greater influence than the word of God. This holy word they entirely reject, or they select the vital portions which testify of Christ and point out the way to Heaven, and change these plain statements to suit their own corrupt nature and ruin souls. {ST, November 13, 1884 par. 3}
The current scientific discoveries show that there’s an intelligent design in us and in everything around us. This is a clear sign of God’s creative hand for those who want to accept it.
However, the current philosophy of science rules out the existence of God.
This philosophy tries to build a wall between faith and science that doesn’t exist. Christians believe that God created all things, and that He sustains everything. This belief is compatible with every scientific discovery that is interpreted correctly.
“In true science there can be nothing contrary to the teaching of the word of God, for both have the same Author. A correct understanding of both will always prove them to be in harmony. Truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is harmonious with itself in all its manifestations. But the mind not enlightened by God’s Spirit will ever be in darkness in regard to His power. This is why human ideas in regard to science so often contradict the teaching of God’s word.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, book 8, cp. 42, p. 258)
