“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.”
Proverbs 1:28-29
The claim that faith includes true knowledge flies in the face of modern ideas about faith. Critics will argue that faith turns a blind eye to facts and evidence. Faith begins where knowledge ends, they accuse. The critic would like to divorce faith from knowledge. These are placed in opposition, like two fighters trading blows in a boxing ring. It is true enough that faith begins where knowledge ends, but not because one opposes the other. Just as a bird in flight does not contradict gravity, faith moves beyond knowledge, but never abandons her.
Those with a positive view of faith might still object. After all, didn’t Paul say that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1)? He also talked about learning of Christ (Ephesians 4:20). So what gives?
We must never reduce faith to knowledge alone. Faith is more than knowledge, but it cannot be less. How could a husband claim to love his wife if he didn’t know anything about her? He loves her, in part, by growing in his knowledge of her. So it is with our faith in Jesus.
Those with a positive view of faith might still object. After all, didn’t Paul say that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1)? He also talked about learning of Christ (Ephesians 4:20). So what gives?
We must never reduce faith to knowledge alone. Faith is more than knowledge, but it cannot be less. How could a husband claim to love his wife if he didn’t know anything about her? He loves her, in part, by growing in his knowledge of her. So it is with our faith in Jesus.
Scripture Focus
Proverbs 2
Insight
“The more we know of God, the more unreservedly we will trust him; …the simpler and more child-like will be our faith.” (J. Gresham Machen, 1925)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 12-13
- Psalm 67
- John 8
