Sins of the Intellect

Just about every sermon I’ve heard on the book of Job makes much of the false comfort provided by Job’s three friends. They, we’re told, ought to have remained silent, providing “presence” rather speech. And, yes, it is often best not to say anything.

But in the last chapter of Job when God finally turns to deal with Job’s friends, notice that God does not rebuke them  for speaking. He rebukes them for speaking incorrectly:

“My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves.” (Job 42:7-8)

Good theology matters. Knowing God’s self revelation matters. Right love and true comfort is the the fruit of right knowledge. There are, as CS Lewis pointed out, sins of the intellect. One of the chief intellectual sins prevalent in our day is privileging emotion about/experience of God over knowledge. God discloses his nature and character to us, now in written form, through the apostles and prophets. Ignoring or neglecting that knowledge  which must be grasped first with the intellect before it can move the heart, is a sin that leads to insufficient, love.