For the great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie—deliberate, contrived, and dishonest—but the myth—persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
—John F. Kennedy, Yale University Commencement Address, 1962 (HT: Mrs Heidelblog).
Say what you like about Kennedy, but he was a far sight better than what we have now!
Here is Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
If possible!
Regretfully, the other side of this idea is also true. Many people “enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought” while rejecting the insights of previous generations. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard young seminary students confidently rejecting Luther’s interpretation of Paul – without actually having ever read Luther!