Talking Points with Pastor Lucas - Wisdom
We live in what’s called the Information Age. It’s a time when digital opinions, soundbites, diversions, and distractions are everywhere. With just a click of a button we are brought down the path of abundant data and get lost for hours in the mundaneness of a digital universe. Information is all around, but information is not the same as wisdom. In fact, an overload of information brings its own problems.
In his book, The Wisdom Pyramid, Christian author Brett McCracken, has pointed out that we have more data, but less clarity; more information, but less certainty; and more stimulation, but less production. This in turn creates more distraction and less stillness; more vitriol and less compassion; and more speaking, but less listening. Ultimately, this results in more to look at, but less to see; more amusements, but less joy; and more options, but less fulfillment.
The fact is more information does not automatically mean more wisdom. Rather, the abundance of information also brings foolishness. YouTube, TikTok, and X remind us that folly is all around. They will not only let you record it and post it, but they let you monetize it because they know people enjoy watching fools. So, beware the fool.
Scripture warns us what leads to becoming a fool. Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds.” Christians must always be on guard in our chaotic information age.
We are called to live wisely in this tumultuous world, despite the lies it tries to tell us. For example, in 2017 Time magazine put a phrase on its cover that demonstrates these lies. It was the phrase, “Is Truth Dead?” It explored how truth itself has changed - how facts and reality have become subject to the folly of misguided emotion. They designed the cover to mirror the one they made 50 years before. That cover had a similar question, “Is God dead?” It explored the loss of God in our culture - how He had been removed from our cultural awareness and morality.
The connection is quite clear, remove God and you remove truth and as a result, you remove wisdom. So then, how can Christians become warehouses of wisdom in an era of so much foolishness? Perhaps we begin in the same place wisdom begins. Scripture tells us: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10)
This fear of the Lord includes things like terror, respect, and reverence all rolled into one. When you understand God is all knowing, almighty, and always present, it evokes tremendous emotions. When you know He sees, hears, and evaluates everything you think, say, and do, it moves you to rightly fear Him. God sees the good and He sees the bad. He sees the sins you commit, but also hears your repentance. In our imperfection, He sends His perfect Son to endure our pain. On the cross He bore our sin and endured our shame to redeem us.
Therefore, the beginning of wisdom comes when we recognize God for who He is. Wisdom comes when we acknowledge the power, the might, the beauty, and the brilliance of the Lord. It comes when we have a continual awareness of Him, keep a deep reverence for His Word, and maintain a sincere commitment to obey Him. That’s the beginning of wisdom.
In an information age of distraction, wisdom allows us to be discerning and gives us a framework to evaluate the information overload. We need to know how to distinguish good from bad, tell right from wrong, and recognize truth from lies. We must be able to assess what is destructive apart from what is constructive. We need to understand what is harmful and what is helpful. Therefore, to bring the light of wisdom into our dark age, we must create habits of wisdom in our own lives of faith, practicing things like self-control, moderation, and Biblical meditation.
For above all the information out there stands the truth that Jesus loves you irreversibly and unconditionally. He baptismally names you and claims you as His very own. As Christians, our our faith is in Jesus, who Scripture says is not only our wisdom, but our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption (Col. 1:3). The world thought Him foolish, crucified Him on a cross and buried Him in a tomb. But the Son of God could not stay dead – fools cannot outwit our living God. He is not dead, which means truth is not dead, which means wisdom is alive and well. Yes, risen from the dead, Jesus is our wisdom who loves us and leads us through these challenging times.
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President, MN South District, LCMS
