So is it wise or foolish that you are posting on the internet rather than praying?
So is it wise or foolish that you are posting on the internet rather than praying?
I believe that there is some confusion. According to the definition that we have been using so far in this discussion, Wisdom consists in ordering an act correctly to its end. So posting on the internet is Wise if it is well ordered to edify and communicate the truth. Praying is Wise if it is well ordered to the ends of prayer (principally greater union with God).
Now, as to the preference for one end over another, that is outside the scope of the definition of Wisdom that we have been using (which I will readily admit is probably only a partial definition). So we must examine the question on other lines.
It is clear that prayer is more excellent than posting. However, I believe that the simplistic conclusion, that one should always choose to pray rather than post, is incorrect. In general, the argument, "X is better than Y, therefore one ought always to do X and never do Y" seems to me to present a logical fallacy. By such reason, no one could ever justify eating, yet it is written, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God. If one should never eat or drink, it would be impossible to eat for the glory of God. So I say that all things ought not be compared to each other, but rather all things ought to be considered in the light of God and his purposes.
Of course, the purposes of God are to some extent unfathomable, but I think they err who say God is utterly beyone comprehension. For it is clear from God's own creation that he made both the greater and the lesser. So although Scripture says that He made man a little less than the angels, He did not make only angels, but also men, and still more beasts, and insensate things, and inanimate things also.
Therefore I would conclude that just as we must remember that the lesser of two evils is still evil, we must also remember that the lesser of two goods is still good, and therefore any good thing that we do is pleasing to God, even if there are other things which are more pleasing. And while certainly, they are especially beloved of God who have chosen to give their lives entirely to prayer, for they have chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from them, Martha was saved as well, if ordained to a lesser glory than Mary in heaven.
Do you not agree?