A. Don't get burned ! Wise people learn from other people's
mistakes. People can avoid getting burned by reading how others got
burned and hopefully learn how to prevent the same thing happening to
them. Dr. Lewis Spitz in his book THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION
MOVEMENTS mentioned an English educator named Robert Ascham (1515-
1568) Ascham argued that one can learn vicariously in one year by
education instead of 20 years by experience. An example of living
vicariously would be reading the journal or memoir of a historical
figure. What Ascham wrote concerning education is especially true of
history, which should be a part of one's education. Yes, experience
may be the best teacher. But why go through years of trial and error
if one can learn from studying the successes and mistakes of others?
In other words, why reinvent the wheel? Or why repeat the same
mistakes of others? When the framers of the Constitution wrote their
document, they looked to history. I am speaking "practically." I'm not
saying one should ignore the faith or vertical aspect of life. For one
does need wisdom and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
and knowledge (Proverbs, Chapter 1 verse 7). The faith aspect and
asking God for wisdom (James chapter 1 verse 5) certainly does count.
B. The three eternal questions. In studying history my friend Mr.
Taylor said there are three eternal questions one should be aware of.
1) Where did I come from
2) Why am I here?
3) Where am I going?
These questions apply on an individual level since
we all have to do our
own living and dying. But these questions can also be applied in a
group context: e.g. family, tribe and nation. I think this question
can be asked of other types of groups such as a church or social
gathering.
# posted by GuyTak @ 1:05 AM
