A follower of Christ who longs for the coming of the Beloved Community. Affiliate Professor of NT, Director of the Graduate Programs, TIU, FL Regional Center.

Jun 4, 2016

The Essence of Christian Wisdom

Every religion has its own form of wisdom. And the Bible warns us against false wisdom that actually leads to folly — the nature of a person who is thoughtless, self-centered, and indifferent to god. As we think about the daily wisdom that we need, or “wisdom for the way,” it is fair to ask, “what exactly is Christian wisdom?” Here are four characteristics of the Bible’s explicit teaching on Christian wisdom.

First, Christian wisdom is absolutely dependent on what God reveals. It is God who gives believers “a spirit of wisdom” (Ephesians 1:17). God himself lavishes salvation on us “in all wisdom and insight.” Paul prays that God would fill believers “with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom (Colossians 1:8 -9).

Second, Christian wisdom is uniquely located in Christ and the gospel. Paul celebrates god’s amazing wisdom as revealed in the gospel. In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). In fact, it is Christ crucified that is the wisdom of god (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Third, Christian wisdom is exhibited among God’s people in the church. Paul proclaims Christ in the Church, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom” to present everyone “mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). Paul declares that the “manifold wisdom of god” is made know “through the church” (Ephesians 3:10).

Finally, this Christian wisdom changes the lives of believers. We are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, “teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). Toward outsiders we are to “walk in wisdom” (Colossians 4:5) as people who are truly “wise” (Ephesians 5:15). This is not a generic philosophical wisdom that transforms our lives, or a sophisticated worldly wisdom, but god’s unique and often counter-intuitive wisdom found in Christ and the gospel. Here is true wisdom for the way: revealed by God, centered in Christ, exhibited in the mission of the church, and transforming your life and mine. Let’s study in this school of wisdom.