Last Words – almost Part 10
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in
your faith supply moral excellence, and in
your moral excellence, knowledge,
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance,
and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness,
and in your brotherly kindness, love.
(2Pe 1:5-7) ESV
Ahhh – knowledge – In theological and philosophical circles
a very tired word. It has been dissected
and discussed and explained – ad infinitum.
Can we KNOW? How do we KNOW? Do
we really KNOW? Want answers? Get, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God
(A Theology of Lordship) by John M. Frame and hang on.
But we’re just going to accept that through the agency of
the Holy Spirit – our regeneration and redemption we KNOW.
γνωσιν; γνῶσις; gnṓsis; gen. gnṓseōs, fem.
noun from ginṓskō
Knowledge: Present and fragmentary
knowledge as contrasted with epígnōsis clear and exact knowledge which
expresses a more thorough participation in the object or knowledge on the part
of the knowledgeable subject. Thayer
In secular Greek: The ordinary use is
for intelligent comprehension ('to perceive,' 'to understand,' 'to know'). the act of knowing rather than knowledge as
such. This act embraces every organ and mode of knowledge, e.g., by seeing,
hearing, investigation, or experience, and of people as well as things.
Supremely, however, knowledge implies verification by the eye; hence the
dominant concept is that of knowledge by objective observation. KTD
Judaism: For the rabbis knowledge is
knowledge of the law, and while the term may denote a thinking, gifted, or
learned person, the law and tradition are the basis and theme of instruction.
Obedience is regulative in this regard, although liturgically God is still
praised for the endowment of knowledge. Hellenistic Judaism finds in knowledge
the recognition of God's acts and perception of his ways, but with a special
stress now on the confession that there is only one God. KTD
NT: In general,
the Christian view of knowledge follows closely that of the OT. It involves
obedient acknowledgment. It is not a fixed possession. It is a gift of grace
that marks the Christian life ( 1 Cor. 1:5 ; 2 Cor. 8:7). Practical interests are
always implied. Edification rather than learning is the main point ( Rom. 15:14 ; 1 Cor. 14:6). Reflective inquiry must
be grounded in love and lead to right action ( Phil. 1:9 - 10 ; Phlm. 6 ; Col.
1:9 - 10 ; 1 Pet. 3:7). Yet theological knowledge on a biblical basis
may also be at issue ( Gal. 3:7 ;
Jms. 2:20 ; cf. 1 Clem. 32.1; 40.1;
Barn. 7.1; 14.7). Faith implies knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom ( Mt. 13:1 ). We know the significance of baptism
according to Rom. 6:6 . Faith should
bring us knowledge of the mystery of Christ ( Col. 2:2 ).
KTD
Note: ginosko – or as I like to
say, “gnowing.”
·
Present and fragmentary.
·
It involves obedient acknowledgment.
·
It is not a fixed possession.
·
It is a gift of grace that marks the
Christian life ( 1 Cor. 1:5 ; 2 Cor. 8:7).
·
Practical interests are always
implied.
·
Edification rather than learning is
the main point ( Rom. 15:14 ; 1 Cor.
14:6).
·
Reflective inquiry must be grounded in
love and lead to right action.
This is NOT knowledge for the sake of
knowing but rather knowledge for a purpose – in a direction – with a goal.
gnṓsis + the Holy Spirit + the Word
+ Prayer + obedience = epígnōsis (clear and exact knowledge which expresses a
more thorough participation in the object or knowledge on the part of the
knowledgeable subject)
In short, you gotta KNOW in order to
KNOW.
Too often when someone says, “I love
Jesus,” I have to wonder if their statement is any different than “I love
peanut butter Oreos.” In other words are
they expressing their affection for Jesus but affection only. It is not an affection based on knowledge and
understanding but rather affection springing from how they benefit more than from
what they know.
If the love we’re called to is indeed
an act of the will – doesn’t our “will” need to be informed about the object of
our love? Can we really get to a “how
to,” when we are ignorant of the object of the love?
No – a heart inspired, grateful –
predominantly emotional “love” for Jesus is in no way shape of form to be
questioned or criticized. As I’ve heard
said, “there ought to be a little Yeeeeha in your giddyup.”
But – apart from our fist introduction
to Him through the agency of the Holy Spirit there is much to know, much to understand
so we can be about His work rightly and well.
When we are first called we are
babes. We need spiritual milk – but that
milk is knowledge not warm fuzzies. A
mother can hug, hold, rock and cuddle her babe all she wants. But she also has to feed that babe and that
food needs to be appropriate for the babe’s ability.
Understand – please! This is NOT about knowledge about the Word
but knowledge from the Word. Seminars,
workshops, conferences even sermons are all good things but they are
occasional. Try eating only once a week
– one meal – all you hold – and see how you’re doing on day seven. Not so hot.
Like newborn infants,
long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into
salvation-- (1Pe 2:2) ESV
Sadly the
author of Hebrews nails it:
For though by this time you ought to
be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the
oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk
is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food
is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by
constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Heb 5:12-14) ESV
Remember:
All Scripture is breathed out by God
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good
work. (2Ti 3:16-17) ESV
You want to
“hear” God? He’s spoken in 66
books. Read it – study it – pray it –
use it – or . . . . . .
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