KEEP A BALANCED VIEW OF EXPERTS

 “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:30-31)

Many unbelievers turn a deaf ear to the Gospel and Bible truths because of the influence of “experts,” and many Christians have been persuaded to reject and oppose Bible teachings, often while insisting and believing that they are Bible-lovers, by the influence of “experts.” (Isaiah 29:13-14; Jeremiah 6:16, 19; 8:8-9; Hosea 4:6; Colossians 2:8) Journals and books often leave the impression that Creationism and other Bible truths and Christian values are unscientific or flawed because writings, even secular writings, that present Bible truths and Christian values (even without mentioning Scripture or Christianity) are usually rejected by editors or the peer review because of bias toward the theory of evolution and secular humanism. It is amazing that so many are quick to assume that an expert opinion, documentary, or media presentation is an honest, unbiased, and objective viewpoint and above scrutiny. It has become common for Christians to assume that something they read in a book or magazine, heard from a schoolteacher or professor, hear on the radio, or see and hear on television or a movie is the last word and makes them an authority on a topic or subject and that this expertise or enlightenment eliminates the need to personally study to examine whether those assumptions or theories line up with facts and Scripture, especially religious broadcasting, pop psychology, and the latest junk on TV talk shows.

All too often there is a tendency to place the opinions of experts (e.g., scientists, psychologists, historians, theologians, etc.) in the status of inerrancy. Experts are often idolized as it is easy to forget that they are still mere humans. This is dangerous because experts often assume intellectual arrogance and claim an inerrancy or accuracy which they do not have. Experts possess intellectual power to deceive and manipulate and are often revered as intellectual gods. Experts (especially evolution-scientists and psychologists) often put forth their opinions with the zeal of false prophets, and ordinary people are often deceived by dogmatizing experts like the dedicated worshipers of a pagan god. (Jeremiah 5:30-31) Experts in subjects with an extremely high rate of mistakes (e.g., psychology) often try to appear more accurate by associating themselves with a subject that has a very low rate of mistakes (e.g., mathematics), such as when they point out the use of a large computer to reach their conclusions. (A computer does not increase accuracy. A computer is merely a large calculator that files information electronically and enables the user to reach his equally dubious conclusions much faster.) Because experts are usually correct on their facts, often too much trust is put into their opinions. At any time and on any subject, there are disagreements among qualified experts in the same fields, and they cannot all be right. A majority opinion is still an opinion, and all too often the majority opinion of experts in a particular field is considered proof or verification of assertions or theories even though whatever is the majority opinion of experts in certain fields changes often enough to make the majority opinion dubious. For example, the main reason a teacher or professor normally does not use a thirty- or forty-year-old textbook on evolution to teach evolution is that so much of what was the majority opinion of evolutionists in previous years and decades has been disproved or discarded by evolutionists. Experts often come to wrong conclusions due to unknown factors. Experts are fallible humans and are just as vulnerable to emotional pressure and the influence of preconceived ideas as anyone else. Experts are just as capable of dishonesty and distorting facts to support their pet theories as other humans, and many experts have been caught deliberately deceiving the public.

We should also keep in mind that “experts” have often been instrumental in creating or helping to create police states. There is a simple method to creating a police state that has been used throughout history (e.g., Nimrod, Napoleon, Lenin, Mussolini, and Hitler used this, to name just a few.). First, a crisis-type situation is utilized or created. (Terrorism, crime rate, child abuse, counterfeiting, sex trafficking, drug money laundering, contagious disease, etc.) The "crisis" (which can be real or imagined) is emphasized and propagandized till it becomes a great concern to a significant percentage of the population. Then the would-be tyrant or oppressive government (and its accomplices and followers) appear to come up with the best or most effective solution to the crisis so many are concerned about. Of course, the "solution" just happens to increase government intrusion and police power or eliminate safeguards against governmental abuse, but at this point the average citizen is so concerned with dealing with the crisis and finding or effecting a solution that he is willing to go along with what appears to be a good solution without critical thinking. Remember, leftism always looks and sounds ideal until you ask pointed questions, look for hard evidence, make comparisons, and consider the costs and potential repercussions. Here are just a few important points to keep in mind:

·        Be wary of “solutions” offered by “experts” that sound more like a left-wing wish list than facts, logic, or actual science. (Look for hard evidence, and remember that the truth can withstand questions, criticism, and analysis. Also look at the cost, which may indicate whether a solution is realistic or even feasible.)

·        Be wary of so-called solutions to crises and social maladies offered by “experts” that depend on an assumed natural goodness of man, or an assumed goodness or benevolence of human government, for the solutions to work. (How many parents ever had to teach a child how to be bad? Humans can choose to do right but sin comes natural because of natural depravity. History demonstrates that any human government, even good government, is dangerous, which is why government must be limited and public officials must be accountable.)

·        We do not live in a perfect world; because humans are flawed from the start there are no perfect solutions, only trade-offs.

 

When presented with the facts ordinary people can and often do come to better conclusions than experts, which is one reason that a trial verdict is decided by a jury of ordinary citizens and not a panel of legal experts. Since I do not read ancient Hebrew. Aramaic, or ancient Greek I read and study a translation of the Holy Bible (KJV) which was translated into English by language scholars, and in my study of the Bible I sometimes read, or refer to, the writings of experts in history, science, archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, and other fields where my knowledge is limited to aid my understanding of the Bible. At times when I have been sick or injured, I have trusted a physician, a medical expert; it does not make sense to hire an automobile mechanic to perform surgery. While we need experts and we must rely on experts at times, we must remember that they are human. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.” (Psalm 146:3-6)

Much damage has been a result of too much trust in experts, especially experts in psychology and evolutionary science. Of course, psychologists are not always wrong, but some widely accepted teachings are damaging as well as counter to Scripture. The Genesis account of creation is supported by genuine science, but many are deceived because they think the experts are agreed on evolution. The theory of evolution and psychological theories often look and sound like established facts until you ask pointed questions and look for hard evidence that does not have to be accepted by faith. Personal study and research on these and other subjects is needful.

          Critical thinking is essential. Propaganda is merely information in favour of a cause and can be good or evil, reliable or misleading, and informative or deceptive; the danger is that propaganda serves the function of self-delusion in the absence of critical thinking. For example, when you come across the argument or assertion that the findings or conclusions of certain scientists are inaccurate or wrong merely because they differ from the findings or conclusions of other scientists, or even most scientists, or merely because an essay or thesis did not pass a peer review, it is important to keep in mind that most scientific findings or conclusions are educated opinions and reviewers are often biased.

Beware of efforts to persuade you to park your mind. While we do not always understand everything, God’s Word is not counter to reason and the Bible encourages you to use your mind. “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” (Proverbs 2:3-11) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21) “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)