Balancing Trust in God's Sovereignty and Desire for Knowledge
The relationship between trusting God's sovereignty and the human desire for knowledge is a recurring theme in Christian thought, often presenting a dynamic tension rather than a contradiction. Faith, at its core, involves a persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, with its primary idea being trust [3]. This trust is directed towards God, whose unity and unique possession of foreknowledge are asserted throughout scripture [4].
The pursuit of knowledge is not inherently opposed to faith. The book of Ecclesiastes records the Preacher's extensive efforts to "know and to enquire and to search wisedome, and reason" [2]. Similarly, the apostle Paul, despite his profound spiritual experiences, continued to strive for a "clear conscience toward God and toward man" [1]. Knowledge is considered an essential element in faith, sometimes even spoken of as an equivalent to faith, though faith also includes assent [3]. The desire for knowledge, particularly of God's will, is seen as a positive pursuit. For instance, a commentary on Colossians emphasizes that true knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it, leading to fruitfulness and growth in the knowledge of God [8]. Another commentary on Philippians highlights the desire for knowledge of the divine will, which is to be sought in God's word, setting aside human inventions and speculations [6].
However, the pursuit of knowledge must be rightly ordered. The "philosophy of the West" is described as the "free pursuit of knowledge of which truth is the one complete end," while in the East, the search for wisdom has always been connected to other aims [5]. For Christians, the ultimate object of knowledge is God himself and his will. The apostle Paul considered all his previous accomplishments and knowledge as "loss" compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ [7]. This suggests that while knowledge is valued, it finds its highest purpose and meaning in relation to Christ.
There are instances in scripture where individuals, even those of great faith, sought additional assurance or knowledge from God. Abraham, for example, after receiving a promise from God, asked, "Lord God, whereby shall I know?" [11]. This query, while seemingly questioning God's word, can be interpreted not as a lack of faith but as a desire for further confirmation to strengthen his belief [11]. This illustrates that the desire for knowledge can coexist with and even serve to deepen trust.
The concept of knowing God's love, which "passeth knowledge," presents a paradox [9, 10]. While human understanding cannot fully grasp the immensity of God's love, believers are called to "know" it [9]. This implies a knowledge that transcends mere intellectual comprehension, moving into the realm of experience and spiritual apprehension. This kind of knowledge, which fills believers "unto all the fulness of God," encompasses divine wisdom, knowledge, and love [10].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 24:16 (Tyndale) — And therfore stody I to have a cleare consciece towarde God and toward man also.”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 7:27 (Geneva1599) — I haue compassed about, both I and mine heart to knowe and to enquire and to search wisedome, and reason, and to knowe the wickednesse of follie, and the foolishnesse of madnesse,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philosophy — It is the object of the following article to give some account (I.) of that development of thought among the Jews which answered to the philosophy of the West; (II.) of the systematic progress of Greek philosophy as forming a complete whole; and (III.) of the contact of Christianity with philosophy. I. THE PHILOSOPHIC DISCIPLINE OF THE JEWS.--Philosophy, if we limit the word strictly to describe the free pursuit of knowledge of which truth is the one complete end is essentially of western growth. In the East the search after wisdom has always been connect”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 25.2: be a hinderance in the way of their cheerfully making progress, and allowing what had been begun in them to receive an additional polish. But what knowledge does he desire in their behalf? The knowledge of the divine will , by which expression he sets aside all inventions of men, and all speculations that are at variance with the word of God. For his will is not to be sought anywhere else than in his word. He adds — in all wisdom; by which he intimates that the will of God, of which he had made mention, was the onl”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 3:8: Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss,.... Not only the things before mentioned, but anything, and everything else but Christ, or that stood in competition with him, or were short of him; as his natural and acquired parts; the whole compass of learning he had attained to; all that honour, credit, reputation, and popularity he was in for knowledge and devotion; all worldly substance, the comforts of life, and life itself; and all his righteousness since conversion, as well as before; of this no doubt could be made by those who knew him, his principles and”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:10: Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:19: To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge - It is only by the love of Christ that we can know the love of God: the love of God to man induced him to give Christ for his redemption; Christ's love to man induced him to give his life's blood for his salvation. The gift of Christ to man is the measure of God's love; the death of Christ for man is the measure of Christ's love. God so loved the world, etc. Christ loved us, and gave himself for us. But how can the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, be known? Many have labored to reconcile this seeming co”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:19: passeth--surpasseth, exceeds. The paradox "to know . . . which passeth knowledge," implies that when he says "know," he does not mean that we can adequately know; all we know is, that His love exceeds far our knowledge of it, and with even our fresh accessions of knowledge hereafter, will still exceed them. Even as God's power exceeds our thoughts (Eph 3:20). filled with--rather, as Greek, "filled even unto all the fulness of God" (this is the grand goal), that is, filled, each according to your capacity, with the divine wisdom, knowledge, and lov”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 19.17: I now repeat, may be the more firmly supported.’ 8. Lord God, whereby shall I know . It may appear absurd, first, that Abram, who before had placed confidence in the simple word of God, without moving any question concerning the promises given to him, should now dispute whether what he hears from the mouth of God be true or not. Secondly, that he ascribes but little honor to God, not merely by murmuring against him, when he speaks, but by requiring some additional pledge to be given him. Further, whence arises the knowledge which”