The pursuit of wisdom begins not with methodology but with relationship. “The beginning”—the first and controlling principle rather than something one leaves behind (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13)—”is not merely a right method of thought but a right relation: a worshipping submission (fear) to the God of the covenant, who has revealed himself by name (the Lord, i.e. Yahweh: Exod. 3:13–15)” (Kidner, 56).
Knowledge transcends mere information. It becomes “a relationship, dependent on revelation and inseparable from character.
Derek Kidner
This “fear”—a worshiping submission to Yahweh—establishes the proper posture for acquiring wisdom. Consequently, knowledge transcends mere information. It becomes “a relationship, dependent on revelation and inseparable from character” (Kidner, 56). True knowledge appreciates information within the context of God’s self-revelation and the learner’s covenant relationship with Him.
Disclaimer: Information in my “slip-box” doesn’t necessarily reflect my agreement with the source or all its content. Recording diverse perspectives helps strengthen one’s position beyond the echo chamber of like-minded thinkers. By documenting alternative viewpoints, we engage in the intellectual wrestling match that ultimately deepens our understanding.
I aspire to post one note from my “slip-box” every weekday. If you want to learn more about how to work with knowledge, click this link: What is knowledge management?
Pastor Dan Patrick, raised in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., holds both a Bible degree and a Master’s of Divinity. He has ministered across five states from coast to coast, serving in various capacities, including pastoral leadership. Dan’s primary mission is to help people love God’s Word and find their purpose in God’s work.
