J.C. Ryle's View on Theology as Root of Knowledge
Theology, understood as the knowledge of God, is presented in various biblical traditions as the foundational source of true wisdom and understanding. This perspective emphasizes that genuine insight into life, self, and salvation originates from divine revelation rather than human intellect alone [1, 2].
The book of Proverbs, for instance, asserts that "the beginning of wisdom is 'Get wisdom,'" and that this pursuit is paramount, even at the cost of all one possesses [4]. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical, encompassing a thorough understanding of God, oneself, and a Savior [1]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on James, defines wisdom as "knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it," equating it with true religion [1].
The New Testament further develops this idea, particularly in the writings of John. John Calvin, commenting on Isaiah, argues that the "knowledge of God" is the sole remedy for subduing lawless desires and that the "government of Christ" rests on faith and the doctrine of the gospel [8]. Similarly, Adam Clarke notes that apostles speak and teach by the Spirit of God, and those with "truly spiritual discernment" acknowledge that their doctrine is divine [3]. He also critiques those who teach an "unfelt truth," emphasizing that true ministers must possess a genuine understanding of God's grace [5].
The concept of God as the ultimate source of wisdom is also evident in the Old Testament, where Job 28:13 indicates that "Wisdom does not originate among the living. God is the source of true wisdom" [2]. This divine origin implies that wisdom must be sought from God, who "giveth to all men liberally" [1]. The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown commentary on Romans 1:20 suggests that while the outward creation interprets faith in God, the "primary sources" of this faith are within us, becoming intelligible through observation [6]. They also highlight that a "right knowledge of God's Word is eternal life," and that religious leaders who withhold this knowledge from people, substituting it with traditions, are taking away the "key of knowledge" [7].
Sources
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom - Wisdom signifies in general knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it; but in Scripture it signifies the same as true religion, the thorough practical knowledge of God, of one's self, and of a Savior. Let him ask of God - Because God is the only teacher of this wisdom. That giveth to all men liberally - Who has all good, and gives all necessary good to every one that asks fervently. He who does not ask thus does not feel his need of Divine teaching. The ancient Greek maxim appears at first view strange, but it is literal”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 28:13: 28:13 Wisdom does not originate among the living. God is the source of true wisdom (28:23-28).”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 4:6: We are of God - We, apostles, have the Spirit of God, and speak and teach by that Spirit. He that knoweth God - who has a truly spiritual discernment, heareth us - acknowledges that our doctrine is from God; that it is spiritual, and leads from earth to heaven. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth - The doctrine and teacher most prized and followed by worldly men, and by the gay, giddy, and garish multitude, are not from God; they savor of the flesh, lay on no restraints, prescribe no cross-bearing, and leave every one in full possession of his heart's lusts and easily”
- Proverbs (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Proverbs 4:7: Referring to Pro 4:5, the father further explains that wisdom begins with the striving after it, and that this striving is itself its fundamental beginning: 7 The beginning of wisdom is "Get wisdom," And with [um, at the price of] all thou hast gotten get understanding, 8 Esteem her, so shall she lift thee up; She will bring thee honour if thou dost embrace her. 9 She will put on thine head a graceful garland, She will bestow upon thee a glorious diadem. In the motto of the book, Pro 1:7, the author would say that the fear of Jahve is that from which all wisdo”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 3:11: We speak that we do know - I and my disciples do not profess to teach a religion which we do not understand, nor exemplify in our conduct. A strong but delicate reproof to Nicodemus, who, though a master of Israel, did not understand the very rudiments of the doctrine of salvation. He was ignorant of the nature of the new birth. How wretched is the lot of that minister, who, while he professes to recommend the salvation of God to others, is all the while dealing in the meagre, unfruitful traffic of an unfelt truth! Let such either acquire the knowledge of the grace of”
- 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”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:52: key of knowledge--not the key to open knowledge, but knowledge, the only key to open heaven. In Mat 23:13, they are accused of shutting heaven; here of taking away the key, which was worse. A right knowledge of God's Word is eternal life (Joh 17:3); but this they took away from the people, substituting for it their wretched traditions.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 17.19: and so deeply-rooted, that they seek their own advantage and not that of others, think that they are born for themselves and not for others, and would wish to make the whole world subject to them, if they could, as Plato has judiciously observed. Hence arise fraud, perjury, theft, robbery, and innumerable crimes of this sort; and therefore there is no other remedy for subduing this lawless desire than the knowledge of God . We see how the Prophet again makes the government of Christ to rest on faith and the doctrine of the gospel, as indeed ”