‘Tis the season for graduations.
When people graduate, they receive diplomas or degrees that indicate they’ve acquired a measure of knowledge or wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom are certainly useful. We encourage young and old to seek them. And when people graduate, we applaud their achievement.
The Bible instructs people to study and to seek both knowledge and wisdom. Various leaders throughout the Bible emphasized learning. Moses knew how to read and write, Samuel started a school, David’s court was a learned court. Jewish children during Jesus’ time studied in the synagogues.
But the wisdom of Scripture is not necessarily the same as the wisdom of a society or culture. They might agree, but not always. Sometimes they even oppose each other and sometimes Christians must choose between them. Paul said, Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (I Cor. 1:20 NKJV)
Paul was an educated man himself. His writings are respected by Christians and non-Christians alike. Yet he espoused something greater than wisdom as it is normally understood. He desired the wisdom of God.
Originally published May 29, 1992.
Picture: Apple blossoms, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.
When people graduate, they receive diplomas or degrees that indicate they’ve acquired a measure of knowledge or wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom are certainly useful. We encourage young and old to seek them. And when people graduate, we applaud their achievement.
The Bible instructs people to study and to seek both knowledge and wisdom. Various leaders throughout the Bible emphasized learning. Moses knew how to read and write, Samuel started a school, David’s court was a learned court. Jewish children during Jesus’ time studied in the synagogues.
But the wisdom of Scripture is not necessarily the same as the wisdom of a society or culture. They might agree, but not always. Sometimes they even oppose each other and sometimes Christians must choose between them. Paul said, Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (I Cor. 1:20 NKJV)
Paul was an educated man himself. His writings are respected by Christians and non-Christians alike. Yet he espoused something greater than wisdom as it is normally understood. He desired the wisdom of God.
Originally published May 29, 1992.
Picture: Apple blossoms, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.
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