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SEEKING WISDOM IN THE TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
Carl A. Mazzola
Presented at CNF Power Breakfast, Washington, DC, November 16, 2009
Introduction:
 | No one would argue with you if you stated that we live in uncertain times. In all areas of our life uncertainty exists and it seems to be increasing at an alarming rate. |
| The political stability of the world is being threatened by tensions in the Middle East, actions of North Korea, and the disintegration of the power and force of the United Nations and the IAEA. |
| The tensions surrounding Israel with neighboring Iran, Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon are strong and no solution is in sight. The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan are still fluid and far from resolved. |
| Nuclear non-proliferation is fighting an uphill battle. Seemingly unsolvable issues exist in North Korea and Iran with strong saber rattling and threats of nuclear confrontation. |
| Our global economic situation, although somewhat stabilizing, has a long way to go before employment prospects improve and the housing market makes a sustained recovery. The positions of economic “experts” have a half-life of two days. |
| The moral character of the United States continues to decline with the January 2009 reinforcement of abortion laws under the guise of woman’s rights to her body, and attacks on public display of anything associated with Judeo-Christian core beliefs. |
| The threat of worldwide terrorism is ever present as seen by recent arrests in plots to harm United States cities and suicide bombings in other parts of the world. The assassination of the 12 soldiers and 1 civilian at Fort Hood had terrorism undertones. |
| Tsunamis and earthquakes kill tens of thousands and no one has the ability to know when they are going to happen. |
| Solutions to these and many other problems require more than human capability can muster. Wisdom from a heavenly supernatural source is needed for successful day-to-day living. |
|
My talk this morning,
“Seeking Wisdom in Times of Uncertainty”, involves the following four
points:
|
Point I: We live in a technologically complex world with ever more complex issues
| Knowledge now doubles within a year. At one time (1700-1950), it took 250 years for knowledge to double. Our brains groan with the amount of input they receive. |
| Technological advances breed a multitude of new questions to answer. The more that we learn, the more we learn what we don’t know. |
| The macrocosm and microcosm is vastly complex. Every scale of reality from the quark to the distant galaxies is highly complex. There are 42 orders of magnitude in the physical Universe that we have so far detected with our 5 senses and tools we developed to extend our senses. |
| Global internet capabilities have linked the world and make us aware of the enormous problems without solutions that is out there. |
| Each year, problems seem to grow more complex, in part, because the world is linked by Internet communications. There seems to be less time to make harder and harder decisions. |
| To effectively approach and ultimately solve these present issues requires great wisdom, the right kind of wisdom, and the right source to access such wisdom. |
| See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." Deuteronomy 4:5-6. |
| God showed the importance of wisdom to Israel and then delivered it to them to solve complex problems they would face 3,450 years ago! When they followed that wisdom they flourished and when they didn’t they faced grim consequences (Deuteronomy 28). |
WISDOM IN THE BIBLE
Bob Wilson
Wisdom in the Bible – Notes prepared by Bob Wilson for CNF Meeting in Washington, DC 11/16/09
What do the scriptures say about obtaining wisdom?
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.
Job 28: (18) “”… the price of wisdom is beyond rubies; the topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with gold. (23) God understands the way to it (28) and He said to man ‘The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom…’”
What, pray tell, is ‘the fear of the Lord’.
The fear of the Lord is a pervasive biblical image that we have honored by calling a faithful follower a God-fearer. An apt summary of its meaning in the passages above is: “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees” . (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
An example of a god-fearer is Abraham: “Now I know that you fear god, because you have not withheld from me your son”. (Genesis 22:12)
Do we fear god?
Is our god a tame deity-or the Lord of the universe, creator of life and matter and the final judge? (Annie Dillard quote)
How does one recognize wisdom?
From the many references to wisdom and the wise in scripture, it is exhibited in the making successful decisions. Kings showed wisdom (David, Solomon, and the promised Messiah). Shipbuilders and navigators showed wisdom. It is especially evident in distinguishing between good and evil.
Where is the source of wisdom?
Job 12:13 “To God belongs wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.”
Wisdom, in the fullest sense, belongs to God alone.
Are there other types of wisdom that should concern us?
I Corinthians 1:17-25. Read
Attempts at wisdom, when divorced from revelation, are impoverished and unproductive.
How does Jesus’ declaration to be the ‘light of the world’ relate to wisdom?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in wisdom?
John 14:25.26
The Reason for God - Belief in an Age of Skepticism
CNF Group Discusses "The Reason for God" - At the CNF Monday evening discussion meeting, the group discussed Dr. Timothy Keller's new book, The Reason for God - Belief in an Age of Skepticism, which has been on the New York Times bestsellers list in recent months. Keller, who pastors Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, presents a refreshing, creative approach he has used effectively to explain the reasonableness of the Christian faith to thousands of skeptical young professionals in Manhattan over the past two decades. Through Keller’s ministry, literally thousands of such skeptics/doubters have been led – gradually and respectfully - first to recognize the beliefs on which their doubts are based, secondly, to critically examine their beliefs, and thirdly to discover that those beliefs are based indeed on a very shaky and questionable foundation. Keller draws some 5,000 young followers each Sunday, many of them having come to faith in Christ already, and many others in various stages of becoming convinced and of “being converted.” A review of Keller’s book is attached.
The Monday evening group also discussed some thoughts about the benefits of Bible study and prayer groups in the workplace. Several shared reports of what such groups have meant to them during their professional careers. The meeting was closed with a time of prayer, led by Andrea Pepper (a member of the CNF Advisory Committee).
"Christ, the Hope of the World"
CNF Prayer Breakfast Hears Message of Hope – Our speaker at the prayer breakfast (also known as the “CNF Power Breakfast”) was CNF Advisory Committee member, Carl Mazzola (Shaw Environmental Inc.), who has been an active ANS member on the national level for 27 years. Carl is not only a distinguished engineer and a recognized nuclear power expert. He’s also a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and an active lay leader in his home church. Carl's topic at the CNF Prayer Breakfast was “Christ, the Hope of the World". Acknowledging that we live in a fallen and dangerous world filled with many kinds of suffering, pain and disappointment, and where hopelessness characterizes the lives of multiplied millions, Carl presented Jesus Christ as the only one who can give sustaining hope to both individuals and to the world as a whole. Carl has provided a copy of the outline of his talk, which is attached to this report. Others who participated in the prayer breakfast program were Charley Rombough, Steve Binney, Nolan Hertel, Jim Hardeman and Vic Uotinen (CNF Coordinator).
“The Great Nuclear Debate – and a Christian.” Howard Shaffer
Howard was appointed as a 2001 AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Congressional Fellow, serving on the House Committee on Science, Energy Subcommittee. He did his undergraduate studies at Duke University and his graduate work at MIT. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Nuclear Engineering in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Illinois.
"The Downside of Nuclear Power-by an Advocate", Howard Shaffer
The following essay discusses the Origins of the Conflict; the Downside,
including the Opponent’s1 Case; Policies proposed by the Opponents and
Mistakes of the Advocates; an Analysis of the Debate; and Future Paths,
which are the author’s predictions.