What is the truth? Our levels of understanding very greatly

There are times when we wonder why other people can't see the "truth" as we see it. The answer is that we are at different levels of understanding.

Those who study sciences are much more mature than the novice who only reads articles. Those who study history generally have a superior understanding than those who just read the newspaper. Just because we stayed in a Holiday Inn doesn't mean we can do surgery, or any of the events suggested by the advertisement. Just because we listen to any of the television evangelists does not mean we know as much about theology as those who have spent years studying. It is not to denigrate anyone, only to say that our levels of understanding are different.

I was reminded of the story about the children in a certain school class, where the teacher asked the children what they thought were the present-day Seven Wonders of the World. They came up with some good answers, and finally came up with these seven: The Great Pyramids of Egypt; The Taj Mahal; The Grand Canyon; The Panama Canal; The Empire State Building; St. Peter's Basilica; and China's Great Wall.

One little girl was slow in handing in her paper, and said, "I can't quite make up my mind because there are so many." The teacher said, "Just read to us what you have written." The student said, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are: to be able to see; to be able to hear; to be able to touch; to be able to feel; to be able to taste; to be able to laugh; and to be able to love."

She wasn't wrong, nor necessarily more intelligent, just thinking on a different level than the other students. She may even have motivated the other children to consider there are different levels of understanding.

I think that concept would be very significant if it were to be accepted in all areas of our lives - different beliefs indicate different levels of understanding.