Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matt 7:7 (NKJV)
QUESTIONS – PART 4
I recently read Michael Gungor’s book, “The Crowd, the Critic, and the Muse” and in it, he tells of his 8th-grade teacher, Mr Martin, who had a profound effect on him.
According to Gungor, Mr Martin was an intriguing and odd character. He approached teaching in a different manner and put high expectations on the class to learn by analysis and interpretation and not fall back on lazy thinking.
He spoke of a book that would help the class think more sharply. Building it up, he whet their appetites for what was to come with an enthusiasm that was contagious. The class’s anticipation to read it reached fever-pitch.
The day came and Mr Martin presented the book to the class.
As Gungor read it, it revealed a global conspiracy that was leading the world into a singular world government.
It claimed that there were subversive powers trying to secretly overthrow and dominate the entire earth. It even stated the name “Visa” was actually a cipher for the number 666 and that things like high school grades would be encoded on all your future credit cards.
The more Gungor read, the more he realised the facts were not backed up with references or empirical evidence. When he arrived at school the next day, he was furious with Mr Martin. “How could he do this? Isn’t he intelligent enough to realise this was unfounded? Didn’t he know we trusted him?”
By the time Mr Martin arrived to class he nearly had a riot on his hands. But he responded un-emotionally. He asked the class to calm down and articulate coolly what they thought of the book.
After they’d presented their criticism of it, the class expected him to fight back but he simply sat and smiled. Mr Martin said, “Good job class! I’m proud of you!”
He had tricked them! He knew the book was bunkum but wanted them to come to that conclusion on their own. He was teaching them that even when an authoritative figure presents a truth, you must still you use your intellect to build conclusions and answers.
Prov 4:7 says “…therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
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