Hebraic Thought
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who
follow his precepts have good understanding" (Psalms
111:10).
Education is a high priority in any society that wants to advance.
Education should be sought after by every believer in Jesus Christ in order to
better understand God's ways. However, education that is not mixed with faith
and obedience will result in programmatic religion.
In the early Hebraic church, wisdom was gained by obedience.
Hebrews learned that wisdom was gained by knowing and doing the will of God and
that it often did not line up with logic. However, as the church became
impacted by the Greek culture through the influence of scholars like Socrates
and Aristotle, knowledge-based systems became more influential in the way
education was taught and applied. Greeks believed that the way to gain
knowledge was based on reason and analysis.
When Joshua walked around the city of Jericho seven times blowing
his trumpets, he was exhibiting a Hebraic model of decision-making - pure
obedience. Logic and reason played no part in this decision. When Elisha
instructed the army general to go wash in a lake in order to be healed of
leprosy, it confronted his intellect. This was Hebraic thought rooted in
obedience.
The Church has moved into a more knowledge-based and programmatic
system of operation over the centuries, rather than obedience-based methods
that are motivated by a heart fully devoted to following God. We've replaced
obedience with reason, logic, and slick marketing for attractive programs to
entice people into our churches.
Ultimately, God desires us to take the Hebraic approach when
making decisions. He wants us to make decisions based on our heart's desire to
follow Him.