Limits6c: “What good is all knowledge if…”

      This continues from Limits 6b, a 4-part appendix to the original series (Table of Contents in Part 1). — Pieper contrasts the two knowledges, human knowledge and saving knowledge. In matters of saving knowledge, it does not matter whether one is "a man of culture or a barbarian". From Der Lutheraner 65 (1909), pp. 386-387 DE:

Diverse knowledge and unique knowledge.

Address delivered at the dedication of Concordia College at 

Bronxville, N. Y., by F. Pieper. (continued)

They [Athenians] do not know two things, because it is neither written in the heart of man by nature nor can it be read in the book of nature. First, <page 387> they do not know that the Son of God became man and that this incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of men, namely, that he died for men to redeem their sins, and that God now wants all men to repent and believe in Christ as their Savior.  Secondly, they do not know that Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, rose again from the dead and is the judge of men. This world is coming to an end. At the end of the world, Jesus Christ will appear. He who has believed in Him will be given eternal life; he who has not believed in Him will not see life, but the wrath of God will remain upon him, regardless of whether he was a skillful Athenian or a clumsy Boeotian, Greek or Roman, a man of culture or a barbarian. The reason why the apostle calls the Athenians ignorant, despite the worldly knowledge they may have had before others, is thus perfectly clear.

We humans, dear listeners, are ignorant as long as we do not know the Savior of the world and the Judge of the world. What good is all historical knowledge if we do not know the main fact of human history, namely that Jesus Christ came into the world to save mankind? What good is all linguistic knowledge, even if it extends to seven or more languages, if we cannot hear through the languages and spread further that in which alone lies the salvation of men from the dies irae, dies ille, [the day of wrath, that day], from the wrath of the Last Day? What good is all our knowledge of nature, of God's creatures, if our — the discerning man’s — relationship to our Creator is not in order, if we do not know how we can have a merciful Creator? What good is the knowledge that there is a God, and what good is our civil righteousness, our righteousness before men, if we do not have the righteousness that is valid before God through faith in Christ and do not know: “Christ's blood and righteousness, that is my adornment and robe of honor; with it I will stand before God when I enter heaven”? [TLH 371] “Knowledge is power.” Yes, it is! But only one knowledge overcomes death and judgment, the knowledge of Christ, repentance and faith in Him. “Knowledge is useful.” Yes, it is! But the knowledge of Christ is the only knowledge that has the promise not only of this life, but also of the life to come.

Let us now return to our institution. In our Concordia in Bronxville we will cultivate worldly knowledge with all diligence, that is, the knowledge that also serves this earthly life. Our aim will be not only to equal other institutions of the same kind in this, but to surpass them. But in doing so we will not forget the knowledge “κατ εξοχήν”, the unique knowledge, the knowledge of Christ as the only Savior of the world and the great future judge of the world, but let it remain the great main thing. We will not allow ourselves to be misled by boastful talk of “modern science”. It has been said in recent times — especially here in the eastern United States — that “modern science” demands that people no longer repent and believe in Christ, but rather cast aside the gospel of Christ, the crucified and risen One, as outdated and think of a new religion. These people do not know what they are talking about. Sometimes they repeat words they do not understand, sometimes they have unclear concepts of their own which they do not account for. 

- - - - - - - - - - -  Concluded in Limits 6d  - - - - - - - - - - -

      Pieper now applies it to his listeners in New York, that they are to also promote the "unique knowledge", the Christian Gospel. — In the concluding Limits6d…