R.C. Sproul's Quote on Human Wisdom vs Divine Revelation
R.C. Sproul's Quote on Human Wisdom vs Divine Revelation
R.C. Sproul, a prominent Reformed theologian, highlights the distinction between human wisdom and divine revelation. This dichotomy is rooted in biblical teachings, where human wisdom is often contrasted with divine wisdom [3].
The Bible describes human wisdom as limited and potentially misleading. Proverbs 12:23 states, "A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly" [1]. This verse suggests that human wisdom, though valuable, can be flawed. In contrast, divine wisdom is portrayed as superior to human understanding. According to 1 Corinthians 1:25, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength" [3].
The concept of divine revelation is closely tied to the idea of divine wisdom. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines revelation as "an uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen" [2]. This understanding emphasizes that divine revelation is a supernatural disclosure of God's purposes and plans.
The distinction between human and divine wisdom is a recurring theme in Christian theology. The patristic tradition, as represented by Tertullian, acknowledges the existence of both human and divine wisdom, with the latter being considered superior [5]. Similarly, Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, discusses the gift of wisdom, which he understands as a divine gift that enables humans to contemplate and consult divine truths [6].
In the Reformed tradition, John Calvin emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of human wisdom. According to Calvin, true wisdom is derived from the fear of the Lord, which is considered the beginning of wisdom [9]. This perspective is echoed in the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, where Matthew Henry interprets Proverbs 8:12 as referring to Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom [7].
The Catholic Church also acknowledges the distinction between human and divine wisdom. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that faith is not contrary to human reason, but rather, it is an authentically human act that involves trusting in God's revelation [8].
The contrast between human and divine wisdom has significant implications for Christian theology and practice. It underscores the need for humility in the face of divine revelation and highlights the importance of seeking wisdom from God. As Proverbs 15:21 states, "Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight" [4].
Sources
- Proverbs “Homo versatus celat scientiam, et cor insipientium provocat stultitiam. -- Proverbs 12:23”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:25 (LEB) — For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
- Proverbs “Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. -- Proverbs 15:21”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. XIII. (part 1): According to the foregoing, then, the one kind of wisdom is human, and the other divine. Now the "human" wisdom is that which is termed by us the wisdom of the "world," which is "foolishness with God;" whereas the "divine"--being different from the "human," because it is "divine"--comes, through the grace of God who bestows it, to those who have evinced their capacity for receiving it, and especially to those who, from knowing the difference between either kind of wisdom, say, in their prayers to God, "Even if ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of the Gift of Wisdom, Art. 3: Article: Whether wisdom is merely speculative, or practical also? I answer that, As Augustine says (De Trin. xii, 14), the higher part of the reason is the province of wisdom, while the lower part is the domain of knowledge. Now the higher reason according to the same authority (De Trin. xii, 7) "is intent on the consideration and consultation of the heavenly," i.e. Divine, "types" [*Cf. FP, Question [79], Article [9]; FS, Question [74], Article [7]]; it considers them, in so far as it ”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12: Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing. I. Divine wisdom gives men good heads (Pro 8:12): I Wisdom”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER THREE (part 4): that believing is an authentically human act. Trusting in God and cleaving to the truths he has revealed is contrary neither to human freedom nor to human reason. Even in human relations it is not contrary to our dignity to believe what other persons tell us about themselves and their intentions, or to trust their promises (for example, when a man and a woman marry) to share a communion of life with one another. If this is so, still less is it contrary to our dignity to "yield by faith the full submission of... intellect and will to God”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: to save us we shall be delivered; and here we begin again to breathe. But, ascending to a loftier height, let us seek the city of God, let us seek the temple, let us seek our home, let us seek our spouse. I have not forgotten myself when, with fear and reverence, I say, We are,—are in the heart of God. We are, by his dignifying, not by our own dignity.” 26. Moreover, the fear of the Lord, which is uniformly attributed to all the saints, and which, in one passage, is called “the beginning of wisdom,” in another wisdom itself, althou”