IGNORANCE

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IGNORANCE
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IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
A. Gods judgments are unsearchable and his ways
past tracing out, Rom. 1133 Eccl. 115 Gen.
37 455-8 Isa. 105-7
B. Our inability to know the future on this
earth, Jas. 413-14
C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 911-12
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The Uncertainties of Life, Eccl. 911-12

• the race is not to the swift
• nor the battle to the strong
• neither yet bread to the wise
• nor yet riches to men of understanding
• nor yet favor to men of skill

-- but time and chance happeneth to them all.
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IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
A. Gods judgments are unsearchable and his ways
past tracing out, Rom. 1133 Eccl. 115 Gen.
37 455-8 Isa. 105-7
B. Our inability to know the future on this
earth, Jas. 413-14
C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 911-12
D. Our inability to know mens thoughts, Matt.
94 1 Sam. 167 1 Cor. 211
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IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT
PEOPLE
A. We miss opportunities in Gods service, Jas.
413-17 Matt. 633-34 Lk. 1216-21 Matt.
2531-46 Jno. 424 B. Our view of others can be
perverted, 1 Cor. 211 41-5 Matt. 1037 C. It
has led religious people to believe in premillen-
nialism, Matt. 2435-39 2 Pet. 310 D. It can
lead to agnosticism or atheism, Prov. 817 Heb.
111, 6
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Due sense of the general ignorance of man would
beget in us a disposition to take up and rest
satisfied with any evidence whatever, which is
real. I mention this as contrary to a
disposition, of which there are not wanting
instances, to find fault with and reject
evidence, because it is not such as was desired.
If a man were to walk by twilight, must he not
follow his eyes as much as if it were broad day
and clear sunshine? or, if he were obliged to
take a journey by night, would he not give heed
to any light shining in the darkness, till the
day should break and the day-star arise? It
would not be alto- gether unnatural for him to
reflect, how much better it were to have
day-light he might perhaps have great curiosity
to see the country round about him he might
lament that the darkness concealed
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many extended prospects from his eyes, and wish
for the sun to draw away the veil but how
ridiculous would it be to reject with scorn and
disdain the guidance and direction which that
lesser light might afford him, because it was not
the sun itself! Our ignorance is the proper
answer to many things which are called objections
against religion particularly, to those which
arise from the appearances of evil and
irregularity in the constitution of nature, and
the government of the world. (Joseph Butler,
Upon the Ignorance of Man--Eccles. viii. 16,
17, http//anglicanhistory.org/butler/rolls/15.ht
ml)
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First, We may learn from it (the knowledge of our
own ignorance, sw), with what temper of mind a
man ought to inquire into the subject of
religion namely, with expectation of finding
difficulties, and with a disposition to take up
and rest satisfied with any evidence whatever
which is real. He should beforehand expect things
mysterious, and such as he will not be able
thoroughly to comprehend, or go to the bottom of.
To expect a distinct comprehensive view of the
whole subject, clear of difficulties and
objections, is to forget our nature and
condition neither of which admit of such
knowledge, with respect to any science whatever.
And to inquire with this expectation, is not to
inquire as a man, but as one of another order of
creatures.
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Since the constitution of nature, and the methods
and designs of Providence, in the government of
the world, are above our comprehension, we should
acquiesce in, and rest satisfied with our
ignorance, turn our thoughts from that which is
above and beyond us, and apply ourselves to that
which is level to our capacities, and which is
our real business and concern. (Butler)
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IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT
PEOPLE
III. ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE
A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 312 1 Tim. 617,
uncertainty of riches Phil. 412
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ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE
A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 312 1 Tim. 617
Phil. 412
B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 214
C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and
virtues
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Cultivate the Necessary Characteristics and
Virtues

• Diligence, Eccl. 910
• Humility, 1 Pet. 56
• Faith, Eccl. 311 Heb. 116 Eccl. 817
• Patience, Lk. 2119
• Resign future plans to the Lords overruling
  power, Jas. 415 Eccl.817 1213-14

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ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE
A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 312 1 Tim. 617
Phil. 412
B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 214
C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and
virtues
D. Work now, Eccl. 112 Matt. 619-21 Gal.
610 Eccl. 115-6 Eph. 515-16 E. Enjoy the
fruits of your labors, 1 Tim. 617 Eccl. 224
313, 22 518 815 97-10 F. Attitude toward
others, 1 Cor. 211 Rom. 211 Lk. 627-28 Heb.
69 G. Do not think too highly of men, 1 Cor.
41-5 Deut. 2929 H. Be not anxious, Matt.
625-34
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IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
A. Gods judgments are unsearchable and his ways
past tracing out, Rom. 1133 Eccl. 115 Gen.
37 455-8 Isa. 105-7
B. Our inability to know even the future on this
earth, Jas. 413-14
C. The uncertainties of life, Eccl. 911-12
D. Our inability to know mens thoughts, Matt.
94 1 Sam. 167 1 Cor. 211
15
IGNORANCE
I. REASONS FOR OUR IGNORANCE
II. WAYS NOT ACCEPTING SUCH IGNORANCE CAN AFFECT
PEOPLE
A. We miss opportunities in Gods service, Jas.
413-17 Matt. 633-34 Lk. 1216-21 Matt.
2531-46 Jno. 424 B. Our view of others can be
perverted, 1 Cor. 211 41-5 Matt. 1037 C. It
has led religious people to believe in premillen-
nialism, Matt. 2435-39 2 Pet. 310 D. It can
lead to agnosticism or atheism, Prov. 817 Heb.
111, 6
16
ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE
A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 312 1 Tim. 617
Phil. 412
B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 214
C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and
virtues
17
Cultivate the Necessary Characteristics and
Virtues

• Diligence, Eccl. 910
• Humility, 1 Pet. 56
• Faith, Eccl. 311 Heb. 116 Eccl. 817
• Patience, Lk. 2119
• Resign future plans to the Lords overruling
  power, Jas. 415 Eccl.817 1213-14

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ACCEPTING OUR IGNORANCE
A. What is normalcy? 2 Tim. 312 1 Tim. 617
Phil. 412
B. Guard against related temptations, Phil. 214
C. Cultivate the necessary characteristics and
virtues
D. Work now, Eccl. 112 Matt. 619-21 Gal.
610 Eccl. 115-6 Eph. 515-16 E. Enjoy the
fruits of your labors, 1 Tim. 617 Eccl. 224
313, 22 518 815 97-10 F. Attitude toward
others, 1 Cor. 211 Rom. 211 Lk. 627-28 Heb.
69 G. Do not think too highly of men, 1 Cor.
41-5 Deut. 2929 H. Be not anxious, Matt.
625-34