"Knowledge is not to be desired in and of itself" - that is knowledge for its own sake.
Correct.
"We all possess knowledge, but knowledge puffs up" - that is vanity.
To say that knowledge puffs up is to say that it tends to make the one who possesses think more highly of themselves if not accompanied by an equal or greater amount of humility, humility which knowledge is impotent in itself to impart, and which must act as a weight to keep one grounded lest their head become so full of air that it lifts them right up into the clouds. Humility which will always call one's attention to the fact that there is nothing that one has that they have not received. Seeking knowledge can indeed be a fruit of one's vanity, but that is not a claim I have ever made or even care to substantiate.
Did you read the OP? "I realize I've been surrounded mostly by people who don't utilize critical thinking, evidence based reasoning, etc... and it's so new to me, I want to be exposed to it more and more and understand how to actually think critically about issues."
She says she has lived a life sheltered from critical thought, but wants to be exposed to the critical thought from which she was sheltered.
Exactly.
I never said so. Frumious Bandersnatch and I pointed her to resources about critical thinking. The very thing for which she asked. As bhsmte pointed out, it's very telling that when a Christian starts to wonder if there might be good tools for thinking, some Christians regard it as a threat.
I am glad you two provided resources for her to review. Like anything else, knowledge can be beneficial and detrimental to a person. Many things which are beneficial to us can be bad for us if we are not aware of their potential for being detrimental to us. The bible warns against the vain philosophies that are part and parcel of this fallen world, against those that are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. The bible warns about those who know a lot, but whose lives reflect little of what they know. The bible warns about those who are haughty because of their learning and knowledge and that the more one thinks they know, the more it is shown that they do not yet know as they ought.
So yes, knowledge without the fear of God is a threat to Bethany. It is a threat to anyone. It is a threat to her eternal soul. It is a threat because it can be a source of inordinate pride, pride which is the very root of all sin. I need not list to you the innumerable ills that have afflicted the human race as a result of men who possessed great knowledge, but used their knowledge to destroy and to hurt rather than to build up and heal.
So yes, while you and I encourage her to learn more and acquire more knowledge, there also needs to be someone to encourage her to make sure that her search and her desire for knowledge finds it's place in God's will for her life and that such a search is accompanied by a desire to test all things by the scriptures and that God's word and the fear of God is to be her guide as to what she properly judges to be knowledge worthy of taking and acting upon and knowledge that is best left to those who do not fear God.
You are happy to let people inquire freely as long as they already have the final answer fixed at the start. That is not free inquiry. That is a variety of presupposed bias that critical thinking seeks to avoid.
I am happy to let people inquire freely so long as I also warn them about the inherent pitfalls and dangers of their inquiry.
If I really believed that Bethany could be negatively affected by an inordinate desire and quest for knowledge outside of the will of God and did not warn her, then I would be found by God as one who failed to love their neighbor. As one who failed to warn someone of something that I myself would have desired to be warned of if I were in her shoes. I would be as one who failed to do the right that I knew I should do and to me it would be sin.
Some shepherds worry if members of their flock stray away too far from allowable forms of critical thinking. And try to herd them back to the approved modes of thought.
I am not a shepherd. I am a concerned brother of hers in Christ and as such, if I think some harm or ill may befall her then I am going to caution her and warn her and encourage her.
The problem you have is not that I and others would warn her or caution her, but that we are Christians and we do not esteem knowledge the same way you do.
You have no misgivings about warning or cautioning people when it comes to things you think are detrimental to them. Neither do I.
I approve of her motive to better herself, wherever the search may lead her. You are placing preconditions on her search for truth; she can search as much as she wants, as long as she stays in this pasture.
In a sense yes I am. I am encouraging her to be careful about what she reads, and receives as so called "knowledge". Much of what is written and taught by men today is either full of half-truths or outright lies.
And if Christianity is true and the Church is the "pasture" so to speak, then she as one who is admittedly new to all of this, needs to be very careful about what she reads and what she receives.
In addition, you cannot say you approve of someone bettering themselves and then open the door and so, "Go wherever your search leads you."
That is not a position one takes who is genuinely concerned for someone's welfare and concerned that they better themselves. Her search very well could lead her to adopt beliefs, attitudes, and views that are detrimental to her and instead of her bettering herself, she could end up totally confused and believing lies and half-truths.
What you are saying is akin to an older brother saying to their younger sister, "Sis, I want you to better yourself, now go on out into the world and wherever your search leads you, you go."
People who care about people, warn them if they think danger lies ahead. People who care about people, caution them and encourage them, especially if they see them in a place where they once were and know the inherent danger that exists there. They don't just say, "Do whatever you feel" or "believe what you will", or "Good luck!".
Once again, if I were a "free thinking" skeptical atheist warning her against the perils of religion, you would be liking my posts and you would be all ears to what I had to say. Since I am not, but am on the other side of the fence, you take issue with what I say which is fine.