Does this quote from proverbs suggest christians should embrace science?

Question

Proverbs
"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding"

I found this on in the profile of "christians are the worlds judges" when I decided to have a look there after he posted two very abusive questions.

It would seem to me, that gaining wisdom and understanding involves listening to others and seeking out knowledge rather than deciding that one particular group has the right to declare itself judge over humanity.

Does it mean you should gain broad knowledge, or is there something hidden in there saying that you should only read the bible or texts that are supportive of its fiction?

Answer 1

Nicely researched... proof that wisdom can come from unexpected places...

Answer 2

Nope.
1)Science is a method, not a set of doctrines to embrace.
2)Wisdom is from God; who gives wisdom to any who ask.
3)Not all Christians will judge the world.
4)Wisdom and knowledge are two different things.
5) Scripture is not fiction but many of its interpretations are.

Apparently the person you speak of hasn't used James 1:5 and, if abusive, will not stand in judgment against anyone but himself. What they fail to mention is that God's judgment begins at his own house; and all judgment is based on the words that we ourselves speak. The world courts throw self incrimination out -- God listens to reruns.

I don't know what great and wonderful judging these people imagine doing; but it is probably about as real as Islam's 70 virgins. A few pages of Pastor Darwin wouldn't hurt these misguided people; any more than what they think they know.

Certainly you are correct to say that understanding involves listening to others and seeking out knowledge. It is my experience that the process needs wisdom to make the sort. Certainly you have your own means of sorting what you find and what is presented to you, as do all.

I have no problem if Scripture is fiction to you. All that says is that you have no expereince that tells you otherwise. I reference most everything to Scripture; especially against the insane ideas floating out of human minds day after day; in what some think is an age of enlightenment.

All things considered you have some pretty good answers today, except for one Pharisee and some cheap point grabbers. Can you spot them?

Answer 3

Keep Reading

You Might Learn What Is This Wisdom Proverbs is speaking of

"..therefore get wisdom.."

and Where To Obtain This Wisdom For Free

"..or is there something hidden in there ..." Aha!, You Might Have Gleened a Deep Hidden Secret

don't tell the other Atheists - they'll turn on you for sure

Answer 4

This passage has nothing to do with science. It has everything to do with navigating through life with what the modern slang calls "street smarts". The entire Proverbs passage (ch. 4) describes a world occupied by people blind to their own ways. They are blind because they do not know right from wrong; they have no moral compass. The chapter infers that the only way to know right from wrong is if a person is rooted firmly in the foundation of God and His moral code of conduct. And hence, the passage infers that effective parenting will go a step further and teach street smarts, or what the passage calls "Wisdom" by God. The only way to gain street smarts is to go down the beaten path with knowledge acquired by parental authority, which is God. Yes, one will be tempted along the way by those that have not acquired this "Wisdom"; they will only continue to do what is wrong in the eyes of the Lord while the one equipped with "Wisdom" will have an inner conscience that will allow them to turn away from the things the others are doing. While one can be assured that this "Wisdom" will help them survive the beaten path, those that don't have it will self destruct by their own doings.

Long-winded, I know. But sure did ask a thought provoking question. Thanks for the question.

Answer 5

Wisdom and science, although both types of knowledge, address different spheres of reality- the former, the spiritual/moral; the latter, the physical.

"It would seem to me, that gaining wisdom and understanding involves listening to others and seeking out knowledge...."
Listening to and seeking knowledge from whom? The wise or the foolish?

"Does it mean you should gain broad knowledge, or is there something hidden in there saying that you should only read the bible or texts that are supportive of its fiction?"
Fallacy of bifurcation. It means what it says: one should seek wisdom and understanding. It doesn't address "broad knowledge" at all, either positively or negatively.

Answer 6

Science is just knowledge about natural world, derived through the scientific method and creativity.

In all areas of Science you will find christians. The great scientist Michael Faraday in the 19C was a highly committed christian.

I think you are inventing a conflict with Science where one does not exist. Science doesn't negate what Jesus did on the Cross for us to put us into a right relationship with our Creator. Dawkins is not the 'pope' of scientists, entitled and elected to speak for them; he is a man with some bitter anti-christian sentiment, that maybe only God understands.

Evolution does not disprove God, despite the hopes of men like Dawkins. God will continue to save people through Christ until the end of the Age .. when Christ will return.

Answer 7

Dear missing,

I do not know where people have gotten the idea that "christians" are against science. Louis Pateur and Johanne Kepler were great scientists and yet held to the Christian faith. Some of the best schools and colleges were initially Christian. True christians want to live to the glory of God and do their best in whatever field of endeavor they choose.

However, I must say the Bible is a spiritual book. It describes God's salvation plan. Most do not understand this and come to wrong conclusions. The Bible tells us that "wisdom" in the verse you are quoting it actually a synonym for the Lord Jesus Christ! See the verses below:

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Prov. 16:16)

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." (Prov 4:7)

"O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart." (Prov 8:5).

"For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." (Prov 8:11)

"For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD." (Prove 8:35)

If you will carefully read Proverbs 8 youwill see that "wisdom" is a synonym for Jesus Christ. When one has Jesus Christ as Saviour, he has eternal life which cannot be purchased with money.

Answer 8

You need to read all of Proverbs and then the rest of the Bible. Wisdom is associated with God and specifically with Jesus. This isn't talking about man-made knowledge, it's talking about wisdom that comes from God.

There's also this verse in the New Testament: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith."

There's nothing wrong with "science". However, modern "science" has redefined itself to be the search for *naturalistic* explanations, which limits its effectiveness. A "scientist" must rule out the possibility of supernatural explanations for big questions like origins. If a "scientist" concludes from research that the universe has supernatural origins, he or she is forced to ignore that evidence and look for a natural explanation.

As a Christian I believe in science, but I don't believe in the pseudoscience we practice today that makes a priori decisions before examining evidence.

Answer 9

Wisdom and knowledge are two different things. Being wise means making the right choices, to have a spiritual understanding or discernment concerning issues in your life, and to know your limits-don't be or do stupid things. It can come with age. When the Bible says, "there will be an increase of knowledge in the latter days as never before since time began," (I paraphrased) - that means things like computers, transplants, cloning, space travel, etc...By the way, I am a geologist and my studies led me to God. Why? Because nature and life are too complicated just to have happened by chance. I also believe that things were put on this earth for our enjoyment.

Answer 10

It means you should gain broad knowledge for the sake of learning broad knowledge, while still allowing the Bible to be the authority over your life.

At the same time, if you read Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, it speaks of what the meaning of wisdom is, which reflects back to worshiping God.

Answer 11

I believe that science is definitely valuable to understand, but even science has its limitations on what answers it can provide.

For instance, today, I had a bad hip and went to the doctor. Is that action something that God honors? Yes, I believe he does. I got an injection for my pain and a doctor's note to stay off work for 3 days. God knows and I do too that you do refer to other resources, and I believe that God gives us wisdom to know when that should happen.

When I want to know a recipe for cooking, I go to a cookbook or to a recipe website. I would not go to a science textbook for that, nor the Bible.

When I want to know something about my daughter, I talk to her for the same reason. It's the best way to find out what I need to know.

When I want to know how to figure out something that requires scientific reasoning, I do research to find that out.

But would you go to a science book to find out etiquette, or logic, or how to communicate, or how to gain mental strength to cope with something? Probably not.

That's why the Bible makes sense for me. I use it for certain purposes and I do rely on what I read. However, for other things, I use other resources.

And if you check the scriptures on judging others. We're not to judge, that's God's job
(and I learned that from reading the Bible) ;)