Information today is so easy to grab. “Google it” has now a verb and if Google fails, well, there’s Siri. Sometimes.
So if I want to study wisdom, where would I go except Google? I do have other ideas in mind but I gave Google a run.
Bible Study 2 (Photo credit: DrGBB)
What did I learn? I know wisdom is valuable. And that many don’t have much.
Wisdom might be the ability to judge correctly, followed up by appropriate actions. You might long for the super-size fast food but wisdom says that’s an indulgence better done in small doses.
So, how do we get wisdom?
My Google search revealed that some scientists think wisdom is wired, that it’s some sort of neurological function that just, well, happens. Others describe it as compassion, self understanding, morality, emotional stability.
Some are exploring the connection between intelligence, wisdom and spirituality.
I think wisdom comes primarily from experience. Make a mistake, learn from it, and grow in wisdom.
But who wants to make every mistake, fall into every black hole, experience every addiction?
So we also learn from others’ wisdom. Their advice can save us from pain. Wise advice from those who know more than we do, who have seen more than we’ve seen, who have connected action and consequence is invaluable.
Wise people and wise books dot the path of wisdom.
The Barna Group did a survey on how Americans view the Bible. They were surprised by how Millennials (the generation Barna defines as being born from 1983-2002) are intrigued by the Bible’s wisdom. These young people are curious about ancient truths.
Maybe they don’t want to experience every mistake. You can save a lot of time and lot of bruises if you can piggy-back on someone else’s wisdom.
Here’s my bottom line on wisdom, and one I want to explore in coming Fridays: Google can help pose the question but wisdom that transcends the ages and goes deep into the human condition is found in the Bible.
Next Friday we’ll explore. The Bible is meant to be read, studied, and pondered. Questions are OK. Simplistic cliches, no so much. I will be posting some of my observations on Fridays. I’m interested in God’s wisdom and how he communicates that to the readers of the Bible.
First, we’ll take a look at the Bible as literature and how the mastery of words creates depth of meaning.
If you’d like to read Barna’s survey, here’s the link: What Do Americans Think of the Bible.
