MUST YOU BELIEVE IT?

THE 12-year-old student was struggling to grasp the basic principles of algebra.  His teacher presented the class with a seemingly straightforward algebraic calculation. "Let x=y and let them both have the value of 1," he began.  'So far so good,' thought the student.  After four lines of what looked like logical calculation, however, the teacher produced a startling result:   "Therefore, 2=1!"   "Disprove that," he challenged his bemused students.

With his very limited knowledge of algebra, the young student could not see how to disprove it.  Every step in the calculation looked perfectly valid.  Should he, then, believe this strange conclusion?  After all, his teach was much more versed in mathematics than he was.  Of course he should not!   'I do  not have to disprove this," he thought to himself.  'common sense tells me that this is absurd.'  (Proverbs 14:15, 18)  He knew that neither his teacher nor any of his classmates were going to exchange two dollars for that one!

In time the algebra student did find the flaw in the computation.  Meanwhile, the experience taught him a valuable lesson.  Even when someone with vastly superior knowledge presents a carefully crafted and seemingly unassailable argument, a listener need not believe a foolish conclusion simply because he cannot disprove it at the time.  The student was actually following a very practical Bible principle found at 1 John 4:1-not to believe too quickly everything you hear, even when it appears to come from an authoritative source.

This does not mean that you should stubbornly stick to preconceived ideas.  It is a mistake to close your mind to information that could adjust mistaken views.  But neither should you be "quickly shaken from your reason" in the face of pressure from someone who claims to have great knowledge or authority.  (2 Thessalonians 2:2) The teacher, of course was merely playing a trick on his students.  Sometimes, though, things are not so innocent.  People can be extremely "cunning in contriving error." -Ephesians 4:14; 2  Timothy 2:14, 23, 24.

Next time: Are Experts Always Right?

Watchtower, 2000