Editorial October 8, 1910 Issue

WISDOM'S SINGLE SOURCE

John B. Willis

When Christ Jesus defined evil, the devil, as a lie and liar, he made it clear that escape from evil, from every type of disharmony, is an escape from the rule of falsity, the subjection to some phase of belief in that which is not true. Salvation is thus seen to involve the acquisition of a right understanding, and faithful adherence to its counsel.

This gives new significance to the oft-reiterated counsel of the Old Testament prophets and Preachers, that with all our getting we get wisdom. It gives new meaning to the peripatetic teaching of the Master, and his constant resort to the use of the parable, the schoolmaster of the east. It also throws light upon Paul's identification of Christ as "the wisdom of God," his prayer for the Colossians that they might be filled with all wisdom, and his frequent explanation that this saving knowledge is not that learning of culture which is "foolishness with God."

This thought of the philosophy of salvation as an educational enterprise seems to simplify things, and may prove very helpful; nevertheless, in so far as men are forgetful of the kind of wisdom needed, it may become a distinct hindrance to the spiritual life. It is apparent that truly redemptive faith does not consort with ignorance, which invariably leads to torpid indifference or to gross superstition and fear; that there is no negative good, even, instupidity. On the other hand, it is equally apparent that historic rationalism, with all its learned refinements, has failed utterly to save men. The educational work of Christian missions has sometimes contributed to the religious advance, as well as the political betterment of the people, and it has sometimes resulted, sad to say, in the loss of the soul of evangelism, the power of the gospel.

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