Charles Pogue
Sometimes the quotes of men admired by a host of people show how foolish the men were for saying them as well as those who spread their silliness. I came across the following quote attributed to the wicked Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde. “Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.“ When one takes a look at the present-day society of which an increasing number rejects the absolute nature of truth, there is little wonder such a quote would be popular with many of the present generation. I found the quote on the Twitter page of an 18-year-old young woman. Not surprising, is it?
The truth is it is worth knowing science, math, grammar, history and a number of other academic subjects which can be and are taught. Even more important is the fact of humanity is, man is a twofold creature with a mortal body and an immortal soul. Things worth knowing by both sides of his nature can be taught. When it comes to the eternal soul of man, he is in desperate need of being taught.
The Word of God is the source of what man needs to know. It can be read by an individual whereby he can learn what he must do to prepare for eternity, but the Lord Jesus has also given instructions for one person who knows the truth to teach another. In Matthew’s account of the great commission, Jesus instructed the apostles to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt 28:19). As Acts 5:42 shows, the apostles did as they were commanded. “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Didn’t Jesus and His apostles agree with Oscar Wilde and those who quote him that things worth knowing cannot be taught? Not at all! Wilde, and anyone who agrees with his quote, is wrong.
In Hebrews 5 Paul chastises the Hebrew brethren for their failure to mature to the point of being able to teach others. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb. 5:12). Paul also wrote to the Roman brethren in Romans 10:14,15:
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The world in which we live has unfortunately begun to accept the notion that one is both capable and allowed to decide for himself what is right and wrong. One supposes the day will come when 2+2 equals whatever one wishes it to be. We are already at that point in religious matters with those who are supposedly religious are accepted as such even if they are drunkards, homosexuals, thieves, liars, and a host of other sinful creatures. Truth is absolute. 2+2 still equals 4 and it always will. The way to heaven is certainly worth knowing. That truth can be, and by the command of the Lord, must be taught by those who are His servants.
