Types of Wisdom
One of the sections of the third chapter of the book of James is labeled “Two Kinds of Wisdom.” In verses 13-18, James distinguishes earthly wisdom from heavenly wisdom and he notes that earthly wisdom is characterized by envy and selfish ambition. Earthly wisdom is also described as unspiritual and demonic. Heavenly wisdom is described as pure, peace-loving, impartial and sincere. Psychologists have studied wisdom for over 50 years and have proffered more than 20 different definitions and have proposed interesting ways of categorizing wisdom.
The book of James associates earthly wisdom with disorder and “every evil practice.” Some theologians argue that earthly wisdom is based upon comparisons with others. When others possess things that another person desires, people can feel justified in not only taking things from others, they also feel no accountability or remorse for the harm or discord that they cause.
Heavenly wisdom seeks to understand God’s desire for each individual and for humanity. Rather than being motivated by envy, we are motivated by compassion and the desire for peace. When our understanding of God is shaped by the bitterness of our hearts that we hold toward others, our “wisdom” has not ‘come down from heaven.’ Instead, it is nurtured and sustained from below. In his book, “Perspectives on Wisdom,” Adam Blatner posits that ‘wisdom should be thought of as a verb or a gerund, as an activity, something one does, rather than a fixed state, as if it were a possession or social status.’
Heavenly wisdom is a gift to be shared with others in ways that reflects our acknowledgment of the source of wisdom. When a source is inexhaustible, we share it more freely; when a source is critical for life and peace, we become even more determined to make it available to everyone. James concludes the discussion on the types of wisdom by reminding us the harvest of righteousness that is enjoyed by those who are peacemakers.
In two weeks, our church-wide study will begin. We will be using the book “What’s Next?” by Christopher Hodges. Copies of the book and the study guide are available at both campuses. We will also utilize the accompanying DVD with each lesson. We are encouraging everyone to participate in this five week study as we move closer to God and discover the many ways we can make a difference. Classes will be available at 9:00, 10:30 and 2:00 at both campuses. We are looking forward to seeing you.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
