The death of learning

[Daniel]

I was speaking to my pastor last week (he's in Kenya, so this was a phone call) and talking about the death of learning in Christianity.  Seems that is particularly the case among the church leaders.  Once they preach a particular topic, you rarely hear them come back and say that they had it wrong before and have since learned something.  You don't just see it in Bible teachers either.  Have you ever tried to tell a politician or a school teacher that they were wrong?  They stopped learning long ago.  In our post-modern world, we've all become experts.  We talk more than we listen.  One of our stated goals here on Theologica is that we are all students.  So what was the last thing you learned that had any impact on you, and what was it?

Just today, I learned that I am not only a"Joneser", but also a "concordist".  I also learned about the four cycles of generations and have given some thought to how that might apply to priorities and politicians.  Realizing the things that shape my worldview allow me to see where I need to keep certain influences from having TOO much influence.  What about you?  Learned anything lately?

Daniel

[Michael Ballai]

I think that people don't know how to confront new knowledge that they haven't mined themselves. Once you are in position of responsibility for having answers, there's a perception that if you are to confront your own errors, you've somehow failed. I find that I am constantly learning new things. My biggest problem is trying to manage new knowledge so that it remains accessible.

[Marv]

I tried to tell this theology forum moderator guy about Gen 1... He keeps on giving the same lame responses, muttering about four corner of the earth and all. So I know exactly what you mean.

Joneser?? Apparently that's me too. Don't remember the major events of the 60s?? I sure remember the MLK assassination, definitely the moon landing. Most importantly all three seasons of Star Trek.

[Daniel]

Marv said:

I tried to tell this theology forum moderator guy about Gen 1... He keeps on giving the same lame responses, muttering about four corner of the earth and all. So I know exactly what you mean.

LOL Got a bit of that old dog, new tricks things going on myself - particularly if it is a repeat of arguments that I have previously heard, weighed, and found unconvincing. Thought about you while I watched that video that I linked to though. You might like it. I know you'd agree with much that is in it. He ran out of time and skipped right over the Sailhammer approach though, which I found disappointing.

Daniel

[Char]

Some interesting stuff on how and what we learn across the lifespan. That study is full of interesting junk.

According to some cognitive theorists, there are basically two ways of learning. Everyone uses both of them. First is assimilation which takes in new information and integrates it into what is already known, then accommodation which reorients what is already known to fit the new information. That makes sense. Either you change the info/method or it changes you.

The best thing I've been learning about is braaaiiins. They're awesome.

[Marv]

Haven't watched it, but I will. It's 11:47 though now, pm and I'm at the office.

Apolojedi (Daniel Eaton) said:

Marv said:

I tried to tell this theology forum moderator guy about Gen 1... He keeps on giving the same lame responses, muttering about four corner of the earth and all. So I know exactly what you mean.

LOL Got a bit of that old dog, new tricks things going on myself - particularly if it is a repeat of arguments that I have previously heard, weighed, and found unconvincing. Thought about you while I watched that video that I linked to though. You might like it. I know you'd agree with much that is in it. He ran out of time and skipped right over the Sailhammer approach though, which I found disappointing.

Daniel

[Ryan Trent]

I agree. Sometimes we go to church to hear what we agree with and not to learn something new or contrary to our thinking. I use to have that problem real bad(still working on it). I was a universalist and thought I had a revelation that was above all the rest. Then I listened to a message one day by a very gifted teacher and sat there as all my beliefs came crashing down on me. I felt so stupid I was almost too ashamed of myself to leave my bedroom. Since then Ive tried to work on the know it all attitude. As we learn more and more, our view of the depth of the universe of knowledge increase.

Example: Ive learned how to use many verses to support my belief system and have them ready to aim and fire. But what I did not know was there was a proper way to go about this. I didnt know you could beg the question and things like that, which make you look unprofessional and takes away from the integrity of your reasonings. Studying into it, I felt like I was back at the starting line, running the race all over again. Still do, that was just yesterday!

The Bible says that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. If we keep love, our increase in knowledge can lead to a deeper humility, realizing how little we really do know, Id say.

[Leslie Jebaraj]

Just yesterday I learnt that I should not "idolize" Christians. I mean, unwittingly I had been putting Christians on a pedestal, assuming that I need to respect/trust them all the time, as they are His children. Now I am adjusting my incorrect view. I am learning to treat Christians person-by-person, if you know what I mean!

[Shane]

Just recently I've come to the realization of just how done with learning I was and how that was effecting my relationship and understanding of God. For the past decade I've been nearly solely focused on building 3 successive businesses and prioritized little time for anything else.

More recently, some of the theology that I was brought up with (Pentecostal) has conflicted with what I'm hearing at my current church (Baptist). Also, I've made friends with a 7th day Adventist.

As a result I've begun to take responsibility for understanding the hope that is in me. And - what did I learn straight away? That I've been ignorant and complacent. Guilty of just accepting whatever I've been spoon-fed.

The result is a new challenge and drive within me to learn and to undestand. And it's been great! So far, some of my assumed knowledge has been challenged in ways that have compelled me to consider adjusting how I believe.

A few examples (not neccessarily looking to start a discussion about these, I'll look for other posts already existing or start another). But in the interest of this post...

- 7th day sabbath rest. yes or no. Caused me to study covenant relationships, which led me down the trail of Dispensationalism vs Covenant Theology vs NCT. Calvanism vs. Arminian. And the result? Having never observed the sabbath, I find the biblical evidence for continuing to observe the sabbath more compelling than not.

In a "God's law helps us" thought process. Think, for a moment, about what our society continually complains about. No time. No time for friends and family, no time for bible study and so on. Gee... wouldnt it be nice if we all took a day out of the week to slow the rat race down long enough to take a rest and focus on spending time with God and in the word. Fellowshiping with other believers and helping others.

I wonder what a day like that would look like.

ok. maybe I'll stick with one example, since this post is getting long winded. Especially for my first comment on this website.

Last thought to leave on - 1 Corinthians 1. Paul challenges us to keep our focus on Jesus and to realize unity within the church. One way to realize this (and the common way), is to remain ignorant. Keep getting spoon feed and do no challenge the status quo. If we dont rock the boat, we wont loose unity.

Instead, I believe we need to challenge assumptions and gain deeper understanding. By doing this it is expected that we will have differences of opinions on some things. (If not, you're not trying hard enough). The key is Maturity and respect.

[James Gibbons]

Last week I learned that directing amateur talent for television is like directing children. Don’t ask them to act, because they can’t. And it is disastrous if they try. Tell them in advance that there will be many many takes, and that that’s a good thing. Then, give them something to mimic, “okay, watch me and then try to say what I say, just like I say it, okay…ready…”

Does that count?

Also, I learned how to keep a green object green in a spot shot on a green screen. It’s a trick. I could teach it to you, but I’d have to kill you.

[James Gibbons]

Also, in sanctified chat, char learned me that my mama was awesome, in spite of me.

[Rey Reynoso]

I am in the process of learning that falling in love with a low-allergenic mini-poodle is problematic if you start noticing signs of allergies in all your children.

[Holly]

Brraaiinnsss...Mmmmmm

You have NO idea how tempted I am to post a relevant kitteh pic...

See what a BORE I am? At least I admit it.

Back to the studio...no wait, the backyard patio - no, I think a book. So many choices, so little time...

To the OP:

I unlearn and relearn quite a bit all the time and am constantly sifting through information like a pastry chef with a big sack of flour and a...sifter. Trust me on this. 'Nuff said.



Char said:

Some interesting stuff on how and what we learn across the lifespan. That study is full of interesting junk.

According to some cognitive theorists, there are basically two ways of learning. Everyone uses both of them. First is assimilation which takes in new information and integrates it into what is already known, then accommodation which reorients what is already known to fit the new information. That makes sense. Either you change the info/method or it changes you.

The best thing I've been learning about is braaaiiins. They're awesome.