What Is the Purpose of Knowledge?

Those strongly influenced by the Western European emphasis on knowledge (think of the Enlightenment) can sometimes shift from receiving that cultural emphasis as a gift to having it become a source of power and control. Often in the church, we come to love our bible memorization and study bibles and bible quizzes… missing out on the main point of loving God and loving others. It becomes manifest in long doctrinal statements of belief but not very welcoming churches, congregations that are educated but not diverse, pastors and boards with advanced degrees but lacking patience and kindness.

The Apostle Paul saw the roots of this in the Greek culture of his day and age, and he addressed it head on when he wrote to his Greek friends: Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1). A few chapters later he circled back around to the same theme but with a different emphasis: Love never fails… Knowledge passes away (1 Corinthians 13:8).

He wrote to the church in Philippians, another cosmopolitan Greek city, about the proper use of knowledge:
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9).

As you reflect on these verses, what is standing out to you about the limits and uses of knowledge? Talk with Jesus about what is striking you today.