Examination of Wisdom

An examination of wisdom

Work In Progress. On this page I am exploring the relationship between information, knowledge and wisdom. This is particularly interesting to me as someone who works in information systems and information technology. I hope over time to expand this which is no more than a collection of disjointed thoughts and ideas so far.

Information->Knowledge->Wisdom

Although wisdom may be a gift, it is not of much use without knowledge to support it. Likewise, knowledge doesn't just appear, it is based on information.

So correctly processing information may produce knowledge and the appropriate use of knowledge supports wisdom.

Gift or Effort?

It is interesting to note that Christians believe that both knowledge and wisdom are also gifts of God's Spirit1. This means that we can ask for knowledge and wisdom from God which will supplement our own efforts and, as you would expect from a God given gift, far exceed them in depth and scope.

1. Exodus 35:31, Exodus 36:1, I Chronicles 22:12, II Chronicles 1:10-12, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Isaiah 11:2, Daniel 1:17, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:23, I Corinthians 12:8, Ephesians 1:17, Colossians 1:9, Colossians 2:3. It should also be noted that wisdom is also shown to come from mans efforts too: Job 12:12, Proverbs 3:13, Proverbs 4:5 & 7, Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 21:11, Ecclesiastes 1:17, Ecclesiastes 7:25

Update

Here are some additional thoughts on wisdom from an old school friend of mine. Reproduced here with his permission, thanks Ian.

2007-01-17

Hi again Julian

Just read your Wisdom page

In November I began a teaching series of Prophecy Today and I had to consider the meaning of the Word of Wisdon and the Word of Knowledge in 1 Cor 12.

If we accept these in the standard charismatic form given out in meetings etc and ignore the possibility that these are attributes of a teaching gift then the best definition I found was that a 'Word of Knowledge' concerned things in the past or present revealed by God, (eg you have a bad back, typhoid etc, or were abused as a child etc.) while a 'Word of Wisdom' concerned how to move forward, into the future (potentially, sell your house, move to Outer Mongolia etc.). In practice then the difference is one of tense (past, present or future).

Just thought you might find this interesting

2008-01-18

Another thought concerning Knowledge is that when I am translating the New Testament (not often these days) I traslate the original word for knowledge as 'Knowing' to comunicate that the knowledge in question is a personal knowledge of God as part of a relationship with him and not simply information about him.

This is the most common use of 'Knowledge' in the NT, although it also means simple information sometimes.

How much is our 'knowing' a distilation of information recieved?.

Within any relationship my knowledge of say my wife must be based on informmation my brain has gathered over time, however this information goes well beyond factual data and includes input from all my senses - plus, I would like to think, a bit more (?).

With God this must also include (or be dominated by) revelation in the spirit.

This is also a form of information of course but perhaps not one processed by the brain - or at least not partly not

(This is taking a tri-partate view of man - spirit-sole-body)

Just thinking out loud

Wisdom and Prophecy

Ian's thoughts have triggered another line of thought around "Prophecy".

If a "word of knowledge" is about what has been and a "word of wisdom" is about how to move forwards. Then perhaps a "word of prophecy" is about what might be - either what might be if one follows a word of wisdom or what might be if one continues on a current path.

Prophecy in the Christian meaning is about delivering a message from God. It is not a fortelling of the future, rather - as I've said above - an indication of what might be.