Jun
15
Evidence Over Credentials
Filed Under Devotional
Have you ever stated your opinion about life and morals only to get smacked with someone with credentials? What I mean to say is challenged by the statements of someone with a business card with lots of letters on it, like B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.? The inference is to stand aside, sit down, and shut up because what you have to say means nothing in light of the obviously superior credentials. You, in contrast, are a fool, intolerant, racist, or bigoted. Actually, no, you are a Christian with a library card and access to the Internet.
If someone has a degree from your standard, run of the mill state-run university, good for them. But, if you don’t, you might be interested in a yellow pad exercise. Start with a standard school year of three quarters. Divide it by the number of different classes normally taken. Subtract vacation days, sick days, days the professor didn’t show up, days the student didn’t show up, weather days, and a few just plain, old wasted days. Those were the days they stayed out too late the night before and showed up a little wasted. Subtract the Cliff Notes-quality study time and all the other shortcuts and try to arrive at an actual number of hours spent on their major subject so as to obtain a bachelor’s degree. I believe a committed man or woman with a library card and access to the Internet can match the actual intake of knowledge on a given subject in, what, eighty hours or so?
If you are involved in a regular study of the Bible, don’t be afraid to give your opinion and gently remind Mr. or Ms. Credentials that it isn’t credentials that matters, it’s the evidence. There is a big difference between arriving at a narrow view of something after study and being narrow-minded. Ideas backed by evidence are what matter, not pontifications purely based on credentials.
“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12
“When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.” Proverbs 29:9