Intelligence

Recently, out of boredom, I took an IQ test.  To the best of my recollection, the test results came in right around the same as one I had taken years ago, near 120.  I pondered this, wondering where these supposed standards come from. 

 

Did the world’s smartest man create the IQ test?  What is logic?  What standards are used to measure presumed intelligence?  What is intelligence?  Why is it so many intelligent people are against their Creator? 

 

Recently I had a conversation with a pastor regarding biblical Salvation.  The pastor appeared to be spot on and seemed to have a true zeal towards God.  Our conversation changed to discussing the Flood and Creation.  In that conversation the pastor left open the possibility of a gap theory, while still holding to six literal days of Creation.  While he didn’t affirm that it was so, he also did not affirm that it was not.  After our conversation I pondered whether or not it was acceptable as a Believer to allow any sort of compromise regarding the allowance of a gap theory into what the Bible actually teaches.

 

As I was pondering this we made our way to another building where there was a display of rare rocks and minerals.  Having a keen interest in rock hounding, I quickly found myself in a conversation with a gentlemen behind the table regarding their collection.  I noted that some of the local rocks that he had collected, I also had in my possession at home.  He began to explain that those rocks were pre-algae.  At first I avoided any confrontation regarding his evolutionary beliefs, but when he persisted and began to explain how it was his favorite of all of his finds as it was supposedly two billion years old and allowed for oxygen to enter the earth’s atmosphere, I simply could not restrain myself. 

 

At that point I made known that I believed that God created the earth in six days.  To which his instant reply was “I bet those were really long days”.  I responded that I believed them to be six, twenty-four hour days.  We then began to discuss fossils briefly, of which I had noted that human fossils had been found in Montana.  Surprisingly he asserted that he had also heard this, but he did not believe it.  I made mention that they had been found all over the world, to which he replied that “I’m sure we could have a really long debate”.  I’m sure we could, our conversation went on about what a couple more of his finds were and ended there.

 

Just a few minutes prior I had a conversation with a pastor, that included Creation, having pondered whether or not it mattered that he allowed for the possibility of a gap theory.  After having spoken to this unsaved man at the rock and mineral table, I realized how silly it would have appeared if I had replied to the man that yes there were six literal twenty-four hour days that God created everything, BUT there was a period of billions of years hidden between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.  Certainly that would have likely brought a smirk on his face as I would have essentially admitted that God did not do as it is clearly laid out in the Holy Scriptures, by having allowed a theory that seems to fit into the evolutionary scheme of science. 

 

This article doesn’t stand to discredit or knock the pastor, who by all appearance may very well be a true Christian doing the work of the Lord, but serves as a warning against some of these theories that Christians accept as a possible explanation to how to make sense of the scientific world in regards to those who would express belief in their Creator.

 

What is intelligence and how does one measure it?  Do we measure our intelligence by the standards that man has devised or do we measure it by God’s standards.  The wise would measure it by God’s standards, as He is where man received our created brains from anyway.  After all the ability to think, to be ‘intelligent’, was that not given to mankind from our Creator?  So what is intelligence, would not an intelligent man be one who has repented of their sins, believed into Jesus Christ, be found a faithful steward, who would eventually hear a well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21)?

 

“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10

 

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”  Psalms 51:17

 

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”  Romans 11:33

 

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”  1st Corinthians 4:2

 

Indeed!  If a man wants to be found intelligent, then humbling oneself before their Creator and accepting the free gift of Salvation is true intelligence.

 

Amen!