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"The wind (pneuma) bloweth where it listeth . . . . . so is every one that is born of the
Spirit (pneuma)" (John 3: 8).
God is "Spirit", but "Spirit" defies definition. There are no terms in human language,
nor ideas that the mind can conceive that do not limit and confine the reality for which
the word "Spirit" stands. Throughout the Scriptures God has used the air, the wind,
the breath, as symbols setting forth the figure what it is possible for us to know of the
Spirit, which in itself lies beyond our ken.
Diogenes of Apollonia added the idea of Intelligence to Anaximines' theory of the
Air, and with him this school (known as the "Milesian School") came to an end. If these
men did not get very far, they did at least break away from the superstition of their times,
and went back as far as their limitations would permit to the witness of creation.
Somehow they missed their way: and without wishing to be uncharitable, we cannot help
feeling that Rom. 1: and I Cor. 1: indicate the source of their failure.
"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed
it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead;
so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him
not AS GOD (This marks the wrong turn that all these philosophers took), neither were
THANKFUL (We can only be thankful to a Person; "principles" and "infinite substance"
leave us unmoved. No one has ever fallen down and worshipped a mathematical
principle or the law of gravity). But they became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be WISE (We shall come presently
to the Sophists--"The wise"--who were Atheists) they became fools, and changed the
glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible MAN" (The
Sophists taught that "Man is the measure of the Universe", and so, while scorning
the images of wood and stone, created metal images and magnified themselves)
(Rom. 1: 19-23).
If only they had known! There is ONE MAN Who is the measure of the Universe,
but He is the Son of God.
It is a relief to turn from the darkness of philosophy to the light of Scripture:--
"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth; Who hast set Thy glory
above the heavens . . . . . When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the
moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained, what is man, that Thou art mindful of
him? and the Son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower
than the angels" (Psa. 8: 1-5).
If Thales, Anaximander, and their fellows had had this revelation, what a difference it
would have made. Yet we can read freely of these things, which even David saw only
dimly.
"We see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death,
crowned with glory and honour: that He by the grace of God should taste death for every
man" (Heb. 2: 9).