Engaging our World Through Science (Knowledge): Wisdom

God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. ~ I Kings 4:29-30

 Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I can see how extremely religious you are in every way." ~ Acts 17:22

 For the message of the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18
Knowledge and truth, loud sounding wisdom, sing to the Lord a new song! ~ "Earth and All Stars" (LBW 558)

 (A person) deserves to be called a theologian (of the cross)...who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross. ~ Martin Luther

Admittedly there are places in scripture where it seems like God knocks knowledge. In his epistles, Paul often laments the wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God.

 But we can see places over and over where God lifts up knowledge, and where wisdom is not only something to do with theology.

 Solomon was wise.

 And Paul, in his speech at the Areopagus, flatters the Athenians - known for their worldly knowledge - as he prepares to introduce them to the one true God.

 Our scientific understanding comes from a place of deep knowledge, study, education, practice, and experience. It can't be diminished as simply worldly wisdom.

 So in lifting up God's wisdom we needn't think the world's knowledge has nothing to say to us.

 The ways in which God's wisdom in the New Testament is viewed up against worldly wisdom have to do with Christ and the cross.

 Worldly wisdom says only the strong survive.

 That kings are rich and powerful.

 That power comes with strength and might.

 That good things - status, health, wealth, salvation - come to those who are pious or good enough.

 That being a criminal - or poor, or outcast or sinner - is failure.

 That God meets us when we succeed.

 So a savior dying on a cross is just plain foolish.

 Instead, God's wisdom says strength comes in weakness.

 Suffering can lead to hope.

 A criminal's death can and did redeem and save.

 God saves us through the most unexpected places and ways.

 God meets us where we are - especially when we are in pain.

 To paraphrase Luther again: God's wisdom tells us that God triumphs over sin and evil by allowing sin and evil to triumph over God. (or at least apparently triumph!)
Prayer: Wise one, teach me to see your wisdom in places I least expect. Amen






Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel of Mark: Women at a Distance

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. ~ Mark 15:40-41 Where have all the disciples gone?  What about the crowds? Whose left? Some women. Standing at a distance. These two verses have always been poignant to me. We get so little in any of the gospels about the women following Jesus. But here's what we know about them. First, they paid the bills. And second: they stuck around. They would be the ones to watch Jesus die and the ones to visit his tomb. One of the things I've noticed about Mark is how he is able to say so much about people even by using so few words.  About Judas we know his character despite getting so little about him. About the woman who anoints Jesus, we know her generosity despite not even knowing her n...
Read more

Transformed through Courage: Esther

Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying,  “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.”  When they told Mordecai what Esther had said,  Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.”  Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai,  “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my beha...
Read more

The Gospel of Mark: The Crucifixion of Jesus

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.  Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).  And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it.  And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.  The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”  And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,  save yourself, and come down from the cross!”  In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himse...
Read more