Institute for Faith and Learning

Where Wisdom Is Found

In the rich heritage of Christian wisdom, the human hunger to behold the ultimate cause of reality and to be transformed by its embrace is satisfied in a startling way--on the Cross.

Biblical sages teach "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," yet as a pathway to God, fear seems to us unattractive and mysterious. Russell Reno explores "the everlasting fear that is consistent with a love that draws us ever nearer." Robert Wall explains how the Letter of James calls us to be a wise community that walks and talks the "wisdom from above."

David Jeffrey praises Marilynne Robinson's novel Gilead for depicting the instruction of the young by the wise. It "illuminates the qualities of character which, unless they are acquired, can render the wisest of words vacuous, or inaccessible to their hearer's understanding."

"My generation has been so busy trying to out-run age and to defy death that we have modeled disrespect of older people" Jeanie Miley confesses. "How then can we in the Church re-establish a connection with the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us in a way that is meaningful to those who will come after us?"

The study guides and lesson plans integrate Bible study, prayer, and worship to articulate the rich heritage of Christian wisdom in its theoretical and practical dimensions. The guides can be used in a series or individually. You may download and reproduce them for personal or group use.

Download the entire Where Wisdom Is Found issue and the set of six Study Guides. Or, download individual pieces by clicking the titles below.

Articles

Art

Hymn & Worship Service

Inspirational Piece

Other Voices Collection

  • St. Augustine (354-430), On Christian Teaching, 4
  • Ellen F. Davis, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs (2000)
  • Waldemar Janzen, Old Testament Ethics: A Paradigmatic Approach (1994)
  • J. Schnabel, “Wisdom,” The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (1993)
  • Oecumenius (10th Century), Commentary on James
  • Michael D. McCullar, “James as Wisdom Literature” (2008)
  • Howard Baker, Soul Keeping: Ancient Paths of Spiritual Direction (1998)
  • Julian of Norwich (ca. 1342-ca. 1416), Showings, 44
  • Rose Mary Dougherty, S.S.N.D., Group Spiritual Direction: Community for
    Discernment (1995)
  • Augustine (354-430), Confessions, IV.6
  • C.S. Lewis, “A Christian Reply to Professor Price,” Phoenix Quarterly (Autumn 1946)
  • David F. Ford, Christian Wisdom: Desiring God and Learning in Love (2007)
  • Aelred of Rievaulx (1109-1166), Pastoral Prayer, translated by Mark
    DelCogliano (2008)

Book Reviews

Study Guides and Lesson Plans

Download the set of 6 Study Guides here

 

 

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