Framing Secular Knowledge Within a Biblical Worldview
Framing Secular Knowledge Within a Biblical Worldview
The biblical worldview posits that all knowledge, whether sacred or secular, originates from God. The author of Hebrews writes, "By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible" [1]. This foundational statement underscores the idea that faith is essential to understanding the creation and nature of the world.
The relationship between faith and knowledge is further explored in the writings of various Christian commentators. For instance, John Calvin notes the importance of understanding the Scriptures in their original context, emphasizing the role of faith in interpreting the natural world [4]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment on Hebrews 11:3, highlighting that spiritual intelligence is required to perceive the world's creation by God, a truth that is not directly accessible through the natural world alone [2].
The Bible itself contains passages that suggest a connection between spiritual understanding and the comprehension of both sacred and secular knowledge. In Proverbs 8:9, it is written that spiritual truths are "plain to him that understandeth," implying that enlightenment by the Spirit of God is necessary for discerning spiritual things [3]. This idea is echoed in 1 Corinthians 13:2, where the apostle Paul suggests that having "all knowledge" is insufficient without faith and love [5].
The interplay between faith and secular knowledge is also evident in the interpretation of Romans 1:20. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown argue that the invisible attributes of God are "clearly seen" through the created world, indicating that the natural world serves as an interpreter of faith, making it an "intelligible and articulate conviction" [6]. This perspective is supported by the understanding that faith has its primary sources within the individual, but is further illuminated by observations of the world around us.
The distinction between earthly and heavenly things is another aspect of framing secular knowledge within a biblical worldview. Adam Clarke, commenting on John 3:12, notes that Jesus' use of earthly illustrations to explain spiritual concepts is a pedagogical method that assumes a certain level of understanding of earthly things before progressing to heavenly or more abstract concepts [7]. This approach implies that secular knowledge can serve as a foundation or analogy for understanding spiritual truths.
The biblical worldview also acknowledges the limitations and potential pitfalls of human wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 3:20, Paul quotes Psalm 94:11, stating that "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain" [8]. This serves as a caution against the pride and arrogance that can accompany the acquisition of secular knowledge, emphasizing the need for humility and recognition of the limitations of human understanding.
Sources
- Hebrews “By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. -- Hebrews 11:3”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:3: we understand--We perceive with our spiritual intelligence the fact of the world's creation by God, though we see neither Him nor the act of creation as described in Gen. 1:1-31. The natural world could not, without revelation, teach us this truth, though it confirms the truth when apprehended by faith (Rom 1:20). Adam is passed over in silence here as to his faith, perhaps as being the first who fell and brought sin on us all; though it does not follow that he did not repent and believe the promise. worlds--literally, "ages"; all that exists in tim”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:9: They are all plain to him that understandeth,.... Whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God; who is a spiritual man, that has a discerning, and can judge of spiritual things: as for the carnal man, let him have what natural knowledge or wisdom he will, he cannot know these things; for they are spiritually discerned, and can only be discerned by spiritual men. The Bible is a sealed book to others, learned or unlearned; the mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid in parables from such; but those to whom Christ has given an understanding to know him, ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.5: more recently been subjected. Still his verbal criticisms are neither few nor unimportant, though he lays comparatively little stress upon them himself. 5 5 The reader is referred, for full information on this subject, to a small volume entitled, “The Merits of Calvin as an Interpreter of the Holy Scriptures,” by Professor Tholuck of Halle. To which are added, “Opinions and Testimonies of Foreign and British Divines and Scholars as to the Importance of the Writings of John Calvin.” With a Preface by the Revelation William Pringle. ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 13:2: And though I have the gift of prophecy - Though I should have received from God the knowledge of future events, so that I could correctly foretell what is coming to pass in the world and in the Church: - And understand all mysteries - The meaning of all the types and figures in the Old Testament, and all the unexplored secrets of nature; and all knowledge - every human art and science; and though I have all faith - such miraculous faith as would enable me even to remove mountains; or had such powerful discernment in sacred things that I could solve the great”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from--or "since" the creation of the world are clearly seen--the mind brightly beholding what the eye cannot discern. being understood by the things that are made--Thus, the outward creation is not the parent but the interpreter of our faith in God. That faith has its primary sources within our own breast (Rom 1:19); but it becomes an intelligible and articulate conviction only through what we observe around us ("by the things which are made," Rom 1:20). And thus are the inner and the outer revelation of God the comp”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 3:12: If I have told you earthly things - If, after I have illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and after all you believe not; how can you believe, should I tell you of heavenly things, in such language as angels use, where earthly images and illustrations can have no place? Or, if you, a teacher in Israel, do not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, or custom of the kingdom established over the Jewish nation, as being born of baptism, practised every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will you understand such ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”