Graduate 51: Father's Day

"The tree's firmness does not consist in the height and reach of its branches but in the depth and strength of its roots."

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My dad is still one of the smartest men that I know, and I don't see that changing any time in the near future. The (apparently) common assumption that at some point we "outgrow" our parents' advice and counsel seems to be largely misguided in my mind. More often than not, we find ourselves inadvertently confirming and verifying what they say, which is a rather humbling experience; don't you think?

I have spent almost four years studying philosophy and theology and history at the university level. I am (fairly) deeply acquainted with many particular and current philosophers and philosophical theories. I have read and analyzed and puzzled over and been confused by so much material. I hope to make a career of the pursuit of philosophical inquiry. And even though my dad has not had the benefit of the same training and experience that I have received, somehow, he is still able to poke holes in the arguments and critique the theories that I sometimes share with him.

Now, in marveling as I do, I do not mean to imply that I normally perceive my dad as unintelligent, because nothing could be further from the truth. In fact he graduated from seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and continues to read and stay informed on a variety of subjects. These factors, without a doubt, contribute to his perspicacity, but I am wanting to focus on something different.

In a way, I was misleading in the first full paragraph. Instead of, "one of the smartest men that I know," what if I say, "My dad is still one of the wisest men that I know." The two are distinct and significantly so, as in the way that a tree's branches are different from its roots.

When we compare knowledge or intelligence, we do so as we might compare the height of two trees. Whoever can retain a larger quantity of information or is faster at picking up and processing new concepts is deemed smarter, just as a forty-foot tree is judged to be taller than a thirty-foot tree. But wisdom is an altogether different sort of thing. Wisdom does not reach upward to grasp more and more. Instead it digs deep and takes hold of the solid ground in order to form a firm foundation. It draws nourishment from the earth and water from the deep springs.

A tree with shallow roots may reach higher and higher, but without strong roots, it will topple in the wind or wither in the harsh sunlight. (Matthew 13, esp. vv. 5, 20-21) With deep, abiding roots, the tree does not fear wind or heat or cold or floods.

John Mark Reynolds of Biola University has described the main problem of American culture as one of rootlessness. As a society we lack a firm foundation from which to build and grow. We reach ever higher and higher, in science and technology and media, for instance. But we lack solid grounding so that the branches, which ought to provide cool shade and sweet fruit, turn deadly as the tree (inevitably) topples.

In examining various philosophies and religions, we find many individuals and groups of people reaching--reaching upward and upward even as the builders of Babel so long ago. And how is it that a man who has not delved into the intricacies and subtleties of their thoughts can find the weaknesses and point out the imperfections in their efforts? How is it that he is not persuaded or confused as so many are? Because he is smarter? Because he is cleverer or more intelligent than them? No, but because he is firmly rooted in the Truth.

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Two key Scripture passages come to mind on this point, upon which I have been reflecting over much of the past year:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3)

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The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, dedicated his first book of ethics to his son, Nichomachus. Much of the book of Proverbs, largely written by King Solomon, is addressed to his son(s). And one of the greatest gifts that a father can give to his children is a solid foundation in Truth and training in Wisdom. Great intelligence or cleverness are not required for this; just begin by studying the book of Proverbs.

Thank you, Dad, for guiding me into Wisdom and Truth. Thank you for being there to keep me on track whenever I start to stray from the straight and narrow way. You have provided so much for me and I know that I can count on you if I am ever in need. I pray that I will always remember and cherish the lessons that you have taught me.

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"Happy Father's Day!" to all the dads out there, who have worked so hard to raise their children. May God richly bless you and yours, today and hereafter.

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God is in this place,
And that reality, seen and understood by the grace of God in Christ Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, makes all the difference in the world.