Kaspar said:
Do you think that the development of computers and technology that lets us do things without having to think avout them has made this smaller use of our brains? Do you think that If we had to remember things off by heart and couldn't look them up at a click of the mouse we'd be more intelligent?
Hey Kaspar This verse below from Daniel is how I am seeing what we are doing in a modern world as one look at your question. Have your pick of the translation.
Personally I am seeing things in the world becoming more complicated and perplexed and knowledge regressing through progress.
I am also seeing this 'KNOWLEDGE' that everyone is being so crazy about is something that is vanishing away as fast as it is discovered, especially in the sense of technology. For example, The digital camera you buy today is obsolete within a few months or less.
So many things today are like "throw away knowledge"
What people knew about computers and programs 3 years ago is just about obsolete today, though some of it is still used it is not really being supported...etc. etc. etc.
I do have to give an exception for the medical field of knowledge has done some wonderful things for people, but even then I see man only becoming so intelligent.
I remember the days of my youth when we had memory verses for sunday school. Those are the things that I hold fast to in my heart. The things I have hid in my heart are what I see never changing and enduring through all generations. It just seems to me people are searching for answers but trying to learn with everyone tossing ideas and thoughts about.
So, I am seeing two distinct and different types of knowledge today.
On the other hand, the copy and paste of scriptures to study together can be used very easy- also as easily overided by copy and pasting ideas and writings of the trillions.
I see good points and bad points in this day of knowledge. I think the old way of memorizing or studying is a better over all tool for learning. But it is nice having things right at your desk to look for something quickly.
There is a whole nice study in the bible on this. Would you and some others here like to study it with me and find some scriptures on it together?.
1Cor13:8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
I dont see any of these things above actually have STOPPED, but moving toward that direction as in an END to it, except for charity will always be.
[size=+1]Daniel 12: 4[/size]AAT "But you, Daniel, keep these words and seal the book till the last time. Many will seek it thoroughly, and knowledge will grow."
AB But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. [Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and knowledge [of God's purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great. [Cf. Amos 8:12.]
DHB And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book, till the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Footnote: [shall run to and fro] -- Or "shall diligently investigate." See Job 1:7; 2:2.
EVD "But you, Daniel, keep this message a secret until the time of the end. Many people will go here and there looking for true knowledge. And the true knowledge will increase."
GW "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book until the end times. Many will travel everywhere, and knowledge will grow.
"HBME "So you, Daniel, conceal the events, and seal the record, until the fixed period, when many will travel and knowledge will be increased."
KJV But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
KTC For thyself, Daniel, keep this revelation locked away; sealed up in the record of it must be until the hour appointed. Leave others to hasten to and fro, in search of knowledge.
Footnote: The last part of this verse cannot be rendered with any certainty.
LB "But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times, when travel and education shall be vastly increased."
LBP But you, O Daniel, seal these words and be silent, and seal this book even to the time of the end; many shall want to know the end, and knowledge shall be increased.
LXX And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased.
MNT And now, O Daniel, keep all this a close secret, till the crisis at the end; ere then many shall give way and trouble shall be multiplied on earth.
NAB "As for you, Daniel, keep secret the message and seal the book until the end time; many shall fall away and evil shall increase."
NBV "But you, Daniel, keep the message a secret; seal the Book until the final period; many shall investigate and information shall advance."
Footnote: [shall investigate] -- Literally, shall run back and forth.
NCV "But you, Daniel, close up the book and seal it. These things will happen at the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to find true knowledge."
NEB But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and seal the book till the time of the end. Many will be at their wits' end, and punishment will be heavy.
NIV But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.
NJB "But you, Daniel, must keep these words secret and keep the book sealed until the time of the End. Many will roam about, this way and that, and wickedness will continue to increase."
NRS "But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."
NWT "As for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the time of [the] end. Many will rove about; and the [true] knowledge will become abundant."
REB "But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will rush to and fro, trying to gain such knowledge."
SGAT "And now , O Daniel, bind up the words, and seal the book till the time of the end; for many shall prove disloyal, and troubles shall be many."
SISR "But you, Dani'el, hide the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall diligently search and knowledge shall increase."
TEV He said to me, "And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening."