The World of Ideas

Last updated on: September 28, 2023 at 2:01 pm by Richard E. Simmons III

The World of Ideas 2023-09-28T14:01:05-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A number of years ago I read a book titled, The Intellectual World of C.S. Lewis by Alister McGrath. He tells us one of the reasons Lewis was so intellectually effective was that he fully immersed himself in the world of ideas, those that were both ancient and modern. When you add the wisdom he gained from his Christian perspective, you can understand his incredible insight into life.

I find the phrase, “the world of ideas” to be quite intriguing. We all enter this world and begin to try to make sense out of life. This explains why young children have a real curiosity about life and why they are always asking questions.

As we grow older we begin to develop certain ideas about how life works. It is this set of ideas that governs our thinking and tells us what the world is like and how we should live in it. We all must remember, ideas have consequences.

Dr. Dallas Willard says this about our ideas:

Our ideas are the assumptions we have about reality. They are the ways we think about and interpret life. They are so pervasive and essential to how we think about and approach life that we often do not even know they are there or understand when and how they are at work. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for most people to recognize which ideas are governing their lives at any given time.

Willard goes on to say:

Why do people find their lives in chaos and their souls running amuck? One of the primary reasons is that they are blinded by false ideas, distorted images, and misinformation, so that their souls cannot find its way into a life of consistent truth and a harmonious pursuit of what is good. They become locked in a self-destructive struggle with themselves and with all that is around them. The most prominent features in their lives are unfulfilled desires and poisoned relationships.

Then Willard says so often when he counsels them, he is stunned by the reasons people give for clinging to their false beliefs.

There are two words in the Bible used often to describe a person whose life is guided by “false ideas, distorted images, and misinformation.”

The first word is “lost.” When you are lost you do not know where you are going. The father of the wayward prodigal son in Luke 15 describes the son as being lost. Most of us do not know we are lost, that is until the reality of life sets in and we experience hardship and pain.

The second word used to describe this condition is to live in the darkness. In John 12:35, Jesus tells us “. . . he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.” In John 11:10 says those who walk in darkness “stumble, for they have no light.”

So if you feel lost in this vast and complicated world that we live in, know that the Bible serves as a map to help you negotiate the terrain of life. It will enable you to know where you are going and how to get where you want to go.

And if you are stumbling in the darkness and have fallen, know that Jesus is declaring to us all that “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 21, 2023

Your Time Is Your Life

Next Post

October 5, 2023 Nuggets of Wisdom – Fall 2023

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Character Development Inspiration Leadership Life Purpose Personal Growth Relationships Seeking God Spiritual Truth The Bible True Masculinity Uncategorized Wisdom

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which prophet said, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Joel Hosea Daniel Amos