5.02.2005
A God Kind of Wisdom
Over the weekend, I explored with my students the ideas expressed in James 3:13-18 of "wisdom." Isn't interesting how the writer James turns on its head our ideas of being wise, smart, intelligent, and SUCCESSFUL. In our day, success has been directly linked to wisdom. The better a business or the bigger a church or the stronger a government, the more we think that such a place is wise. Indeed, such things are successful in this world's system. Bigger, better, and faster are the ways of this world. To succeed in this world, you must be big and fast and better than the next guy. Godly wisdom was not designed for such a world. Godly wisdom has in mind another world-- a place where the the Lord's will is done on Earth as it is in heaven. This wisdom heals people-- it is peace filled, mercy filled, considerate filled, submissive filled, humility filled, etc. It doesn't necessarily lead towards riches, glory, possessions, place, and power. It does not seek to make you successful for this world, but for another world. However, let's not make the mistake to think that this other world is the world of heaven. Indeed to quote the Lord's prayer again, "May your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." The goal is to make this Earth, this place we reside, into that other world. That world cannot happen by force like some Christians view the Second Coming. That would be worldly wisdom or this current worlds idea of bringing order. That is about having more power than the other guy. Indeed, if we listen to James and if we listen to Jesus, this world will change because of the power of God's story-- the one that says that humility and love is better than power and violence.
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Julie, great question. I think you have a great insight here. I spent all of last year at a Christian highschool teaching only the book of Proverbs. It is a book all about linking wisdom and success. However, I think that its idea of success is very different than the idea of success presented by American culture. For example, Proverbs 8:10-16. This Proverb says that God's instruction is to be sought after rather than gold. Also, the success of a ruler/king is not about his/her status. Instead it is about making just laws and righteous judgments. Indeed, if rulers acted this out, we would begin to create the kingdom of God on Earth. At least thats my opinion. I would love to hear your thoughts about this Julie.
ReplyDeleteBrian McLaren speaks towards this idea in his book Generous Orthodox on pages 179-181. In summary what he says is that in being present to God, we can begin to truly enjoy all of His creation. This is true "having." Consumerism leads to the accululation of stuff. Whereas, truly having anything is being content with it as a gift from God that is to be enjoyed and cherished.
ReplyDeleteMy students can be focused a lot on money and success and having a good life. I am trying to teach them that this is antithetical to the way Jesus lived his life and the story that he wants us to live out. What our students need to know is that everything already belongs to us because all things belong to God. We only use these resources when we need them, not when we want them for our own pleasures.