Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Cor 10:12-18, ESV)
For quite a while I was analyzing the same topics from different angles in order to see what they have in common. Here’s the catch, though: I was doing it in an over-extensive way, to determine, say, that if one source had all its details elsewhere on the Internet and often other sources (no matter how widespread). And deep down, it turns out that all you ought to do is focus on your territory.
Honestly, the real joy in learning comes from understanding that all of it is centered on God, and from there, Wisdom Incarnate, that is, Christ. And it need not be duplicated. Everyone’s knowledge base is a library filled with varying repertoires of facts. And that’s great! We’re not robots, and your knowledge, gifts, and talents are your personal property. You can share it, or not, at your discretion.
Also, whether a deceased person that discovered a given principle of knowledge was a Christian or not is irrelevant. They have been eternally judged by God, and in any case have left behind their contribution for us (cf. 1 Cor 10:25, 27). And as always, the handy-dandy principles of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes can be useful (as long as they, being OT books, are lined up in context with the NT as well as to society today.)
So, now to the meat and potatoes. why an endeavor as proposed earlier is not appropriate?Each person must obtain his/her knowledge the way they need– and want– it. Foolish comparison, and even worse, oppressive distribution of material (like junk mail, your ration of 4-letter words today) is unfruitful and inappropriate.
Note the word “oppressive.” It’s absolutely fine to distribute information (oral, written, etc.) toward person(s) who are interested. But don’t get nuts over it; rather, usually, keep it in a nutshell.
So, can we now put barbed wire fences around that university library down the road?
The Adventures of a Christian Bookworm 