The Skill of Wisdom

One of the inspirations for this blog was Dr. Dirk Windhorst, a professor at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario.  While I was a student of his, he was working on his PhD thesis entitled, “Educating for a Love of Wisdom.”  He often spoke of wisdom as knowing and doing.  He reminded us that teachers need to keep these two things connected.  
Some believe (or live as if they believe) that learning and doing are disconnected.  You find this sentiment in the quote, “Those who can’t do…teach” or better yet, “That’s not how it’s done in the real world.”  Both of these ideas reflect the misunderstanding that learning and doing are opposites.

I must begin by admitting that teachers have often pulled learning and doing apart.  In doing so, we have done our students a great disservice.  However, I am excited to see a resurgence of learning through doing.  One of the buzz words in education right now is Project Based Learning, and while I do not agree with the philosophy behind PBL (constructivism), I do agree that we need to put the doing back into learning.

I came across a striking and instructive verse in the book of Exodus this week.  After the Lord explains the plans for the temple to Moses, He tells Moses in chapter 31, “See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” 

Why would an artisan need wisdom?  In Hebrew, this word for wisdom is hokmah, which in this context means “technical skill” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).  Wisdom can have many connotations:  military skill, administrative skill, prudence in religious affairs, etc.  However, wisdom is nearly always connected with skill.  That is stunning to me.  For the Israelites, wisdom was not merely an academic exercise, it meant skillful living.  What we call artistic talent or skill, the Hebrews called hokmah.  This is why I teach.  This is why I seek wisdom. 

"May His children be filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."