While the gaining of knowledge has grown exponentially, it is clear that this does not confer wisdom. As someone commented “It may be a smartphone, but is not a wise phone.”
In “The Great Books of the Western World” (published 1950) which contains thoughts on themes of great thinkers from Socrates to Pascal, an editor Professor Adler was asked why the longest essay was on God. Adler replied “because more consequences follow from that one issue than any other issue.” [1]
In reality, we know this to be true.
Our ancient story declares “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Provers 9:10)
Many of our famous educational institutions were grounded in this foundational truth. The motto of Oxford University is “Dominus illuminatio mea” meaning the Lord is my light. The motto of Cambridge University is “Hinc lucem et pocula sacra” which means ‘Here (we receive) light and sacred draughts’. God’s creation work is sacred – coherent, well ordered and made sense and could be studied in relationship to the Creator.
These universities were founded on the truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The Minister of New Park Street Chapel in 1855 said “the highest Science, …… the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom He calls Father”. [2]
Without Him we are left to stumble through life seeking to be masters of our own destiny. To be wise we must begin with reverence for our Creator and appreciate the sacredness of life.
In the Old Testament, wisdom was “wrought into the constitution of the universe” [3] and so human responsibility was to “know this divine Wisdom and attune his ways to it”[4], that is to conform to this creational order. It is a moral universe as God’s character, expressed in His law and embodied in Jesus, is the standard of goodness. Proverbs 8:21-23, 27-30 – “As God the craftsman fashions the world, Wisdom is the standard by which He works.” The Scripture then is a light which lights up every aspect of our knowledge of God and His world.
As you begin this year, take time to ponder the following:
- • Do you recognise your Creator and Heavenly Father as the Giver of Wisdom for the 21st Century culture?
- • Are you deeply immersed in Scripture so that your life is located in His great story?
- • Are there specific areas of your life where you need to know God’s wisdom? Humbly seek His wisdom so that He may lift you up to fulfil your purpose and honour Him.
God promises to give you wisdom when you ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without funding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
Grace and Peace
The Team
The Excellence Centre
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[1] R Zacharias – The Logic of God
[2] JI Packer. Knowing God.
[3] AM Wolters. Creation Regained.
[4] Ibid