Concerning Updates
Acts 17
KJV
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
You’ve probably read or been told about the Athenian philosophers, whom Paul met, and what their preoccupations are Unfortunately we were made to see them as time wasters.
On the contrary, when I reread the above scriptures and pondered over them I ended up buying into their way of life. Instead of being intellectually idle, they engage themselves in “ updating “ their experiences and knowledge
It is about updates. These men choose to be relevant to their times instead of being irrelevant and outdated by clinging to what they knew; scripture says;
Acts 17
KJV
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
Some have interpreted the phrase “ spent their time in nothing else “ to mean they had nothing to do. Not at all, the expression rather points to a specific which is “ either to tell or to hear some new thing”. They were engaged in a process called “ updating “.
To stay current and relevant one must constantly update oneself in whatever one is engaged in profession-wise or any.
A doctor in medicine must keep abreast with developments in his field of specialization. The same goes for lawyers, teachers, gospel ministers, businessmen etc every profession you can think of.
Instead of condemning the Athenians we must rather commend and emulate their example. Many professionals have failed to update themselves, and as such they become irrelevant and dangerous to society.
Take the case of a medical doctor who after graduation has never attended any seminar or workshop. He is stuck to prescribing the same medication he knew several years after graduating.
Take the case of a university lecturer in politics, economics or philosophy! After acquiring his PhD he has never read, written etc anything all he has taught are the very same notes he has been teaching since
It may interest you to know that this is a true reality in many places of learning. Some lecture notes have tapes strewn across the page to hold torn notes together due to overuse. Yes.
Every teacher /lecturer is a “manufacturer” his task is not only to “sell” but to “produce” ( manufacture) knowledge! Knowledge is a “ product “ that must be manufactured and sold. (taught) The “ manufacturing “ process is called “ research “.
A teacher/lecturer who is not engaged in any research work is not producing anything new. He is only selling ( teaching) old products which may be obsolete and irrelevant to the times.
Have you heard that graduates from our institutions of higher learning are irrelevant to industry? Yes, this is what is meant. Some of their teachers are not updating their notes.
On a personal note, have you updated your knowledge of anything you learnt since you left the classroom? Even the work you are engaged in today, have you been updating?
Whatever profession you are engaged in, update your knowledge and understanding to improve your service delivery.
We update by reading, which unfortunately is a much disliked exercise. Reading culture is dead in this generation; this is a generation that abhors reading.
For example, the articles I write for you to read are meant to help you update your knowledge and understanding, of the Christian faith and practice how many do you read?
But it is said by the Sages, that reading makes man! Every leader is a reader, and every reader is a potential leader!
Another way of updating is to engage colleagues in an intellectual discourse! I remember seeing this during my student days. I saw lecturers often engaged in discourses at the cafeteria while they sip tea/coffee with biscuits during break times.
I’ve heard them discuss the works of other colleagues and lecturers who have authored books, in their subject areas of teaching. It’s a pleasure to hear them. Intelligent discourse enriches.
They brought these to our tutorial classes and engaged us in discussing the pros and cons of the works of some ancient philosophers. As a result, we mastered and were grounded in the philosophies.
My dear reader updating pays, In any workplace those who constantly update their knowledge often get promoted. So, do you want to be promoted, then updating should be your hobby! .
Are you a public speaker, be current by updating yourself with the latest news or knowledge! Your audience will appreciate you.
Personal question, how many books have you read this year by way of updating your skill, knowledge?
So instead of condemning the Athenians and the strangers who gather at Mars Hill, we must commend and emulate them.
Intelligent, intellectual discourse keeps the mind fertile, avoids fogginess, and brings out clear thinking and reasoning instead of crooked, wishful and unreasonable thinking!
If I were in Athens I would have joined the Mars Hill Philosophy Club. Perhaps we need a similar club among us where we can freely debate, discuss, agree to disagree and yet put our hands into the one bowl to eat the Lord’s Supper; while drinking the content of the same cup. With no hard feelings against anyone.
If smartphones and computers can update their operating systems periodically to remain relevant to users, why can’t we humans so we can be useful to both God, the Church and society.
My take