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A bite-sized lesson in doctrine: 1 Concept, 2 Definitions, 3 Passages...
Welcome back to Theology Thursday!
Here is your bite-sized lesson in orthodox biblical doctrine in 3 simple steps:
ONE concept explained
TWO concise definitions that must be kept distinct
THREE Scripture passages to meditate on
Concept: The Wisdom of God
Have you found wisdom? Those searching for it wander far and wide. Wisdom is a valued virtue throughout the culture at large. More than mere intelligence or knowledge, wisdom is the ability to see and choose the best and highest goals along with the best means of attaining them.1 But man’s wisdom is but a dim reflection of the infinite, perfect wisdom of God; His essence is that of wisdom. God’s wisdom extends over all He has made and permeates every one of His acts that flow from His hidden hand of providence.
Many question the plan and purposes of God in their day-to-day lives. But perhaps no one questioned God’s plan more than Jesus’ disciples. They witnessed an all-wise messiah fastened to a criminal’s cross. But upon being raised, Christ showed this to be the apex of God’s wisdom in history. You want to see wisdom? Look at the cross. How else would God be both just and the justifier of man? Where else is the greatest good brought out of the worst evil imaginable? In the Old Testament, wisdom is personified, dwelling with God in eternity past. In the New Testament, wisdom becomes incarnate; Christ becomes for us wisdom from God. No matter what we go through, when we’re left sitting in the pile of ashes of our circumstances, we can say, “I don’t know why I’m going through this, but I know He is wise. And though my wisdom is frustrated, His wisdom never is.” Assurance flows from knowing the God who alone is perfectly wise.
Definitions/Distinctions:
Intrinsic Wisdom: Wisdom is an attribute that is immanent in God. That is to say, wisdom is simply another description of His undivided essence. God doesn’t possess wisdom as an accidental property (like us); He simply is wise.
Revealed Wisdom: Wisdom becomes known through God’s Word and works. We can see it as the practical side of God’s moral goodness. His providence, or the means to attaining His decreed will, unfolds His infinite wisdom.
Passages:
“It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.”
Jeremiah 10:12
“to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
Romans 16:27
“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2:2–3
Adapted from Knowing God by J.I. Packer, p. 90
Good stuff!
I've often thought about wisdom in pop culture terms, like Peter Parker's spider sense…. or the Force and Jedi…. the idea of always knowing what to do, always knowing the right thing, always knowing the right path.
But you're right about man's wisdom being a dim reflection!!
It reminds me of how in Star Wars, the Jedi literally had such a strong connection to the Force. And yet, they constantly made horrible decisions that led to their downfall.
So, too, we literally have the Holy Spirit, but we are also capable of terrible mistakes.
I also think of Solomon, apparently the wisest man in all of history, and yet his number of mistakes was off the charts!
I love what you say about the cross being the ultimate example of wisdom, (and yet it looks like foolishness to the world).
I always appreciate how your writing goes to great lengths to bring glory to God. I'd expect nothing less from you.
Well done, man!