What is Knowledge
Knowledge: is a detailed familiarity with, or understanding of, a person, thing or situation.
It can include facts and information, as well as understanding that is gained through experience, education or reason. It can be implicit (as with practical skill or expertise) or explicit (as with the theoretical understanding of a subject); and it can be more or less formal or systematic.
In philosophy, the study of knowledge is called epistemology, and the philosopher Plato famously defined knowledge as "justified true belief." There is however no single agreed upon definition of knowledge, and there are numerous theories to explain it.
Religious Meanings of Knowledge
Christian: In many expressions of Christianity, knowledge is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Often in the form of wisdom.
Islam: Knowledge is given great significance. "The Knowing" is one of the 99 names reflecting distinct attributes of God. The Qur'an: Asserts that knowledge comes from God and various hadith encourage the acquisition of knowledge. Muhammad is reported to have said "Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave" and "Verily the men of knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets". Islamic scholars, theologians and jurists are often given the title alim, meaning "knowledgable".[citation needed]
Hindu: Scriptures present two kinds of knowledge, Paroksha Gnyana and Prataksha Gnyana. Paroksha Gnyana (also spelled Paroksha-Jnana) is secondhand knowledge: knowledge obtained from books, hearsay, etc. Prataksha Gnyana (also spelled Prataksha-Jnana) is the knowledge borne of direct experience, i.e., knowledge that one discovers for oneself.
Old Testament: The tree of the knowledge of good and evil contained the knowledge that separated Man from God: "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil…" (Genesis 3:22)
Gnosticism: divine knowledge or gnosis is hoped to be attained and escape from the demiurge's physical world. And in Thelema knowledge and conversation with one's Holy Guardian Angel is the purpose of life, which is similar to Gnosis or enlightenment in other mystery religions.
Scientific Knowledge
The development of the scientific method has made a significant contribution to our understanding of knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. The scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. Science, and the nature of scientific knowledge have also become the subject of Philosophy. As science itself has developed, knowledge has developed a broader usage which has been developing within biology/psychology—discussed elsewhere as meta-epistemology, or genetic epistemology, and to some extent related to "theory of cognitive development".
Theories of Knowledge
" The eventual demarcation of philosophy from science was made possible by the notion that philosophy's core was "theory of knowledge," a theory distinct from the sciences because it was their foundation… Without this idea of a "theory of knowledge," it is hard to imagine what "philosophy" could have been in the age of modern science. " Richard Rorty, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature
The definition of knowledge is a matter of on-going debate among philosophers in the field of epistemology. The classical definition, described but not ultimately endorsed by Plato,specifies that a statement must meet three criteria in order to be considered knowledge: it must be justified, true, and believed. Some claim that these conditions are not sufficient, as Gettier case examples allegedly demonstrate. There are a number of alternatives proposed, including Robert Nozick's arguments for a requirement that knowledge 'tracks the truth' and Simon Blackburn's additional requirement that we do not want to say that those who meet any of these conditions 'through a defect, flaw, or failure' have knowledge. Richard Kirkham suggests that our definition of knowledge requires that the evidence for the belief necessitates its truth.
In contrast to this approach, Wittgenstein observed, following Moore's paradox, that one can say "He believes it, but it isn't so", but not "He knows it, but it isn't so". He goes on to argue that these do not correspond to distinct mental states, but rather to distinct ways of talking about conviction. What is different here is not the mental state of the speaker, but the activity in which they are engaged. For example, on this account, to know that the kettle is boiling is not to be in a particular state of mind, but to perform a particular task with the statement that the kettle is boiling. Wittgenstein sought to bypass the difficulty of definition by looking to the way "knowledge" is used in natural languages. He saw knowledge as a case of a family resemblance. Following this idea, "knowledge" has been reconstructed as a cluster concept that points out relevant features but that is not adequately captured by any definition.
What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy. It is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions.
Christian Wisdom
The word wisdom is mentioned 222 times in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible . Both the books of Proverbs and Psalms urge readers to obtain and to increase in wisdom.
Furthermore, there is an oppositional element in Christian thought between secular wisdom and Godly wisdom. The apostle Paul states that worldly wisdom thinks the claims of Christ to be foolishness. However, to those who are being saved Christ represents the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17-31)
Depth of Knowledge
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The Whole Message is designed for you to increase your Depth of Knowledge.
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That is our Entire Purpose. Deeper Knowledge = Deeper Wisdom!
Isaiah 33:6
And Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of thy times,
and Strength of Salvation
- A depth of knowledge is what we are missing in our lives. We have the highest increase of knowledge that the planet has ever seen, but when it comes to the Bible and God's Whole Messages, we are at the worst level in all of history.
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- Why has our knowledged of the Bible fallen off?
- The main reason for a lack of Bible Knowledge is simply Satan's ability to keep people away from it. The devil has kept people away in a number of ways thru the generations, including even outlawing the Bible. Even today we find areas of the world where it is illegal to own a Bible.
- There have also been the elements of discrediting the Bible and claims of proof against the Bible Truths; and yet every time one of these false claims arise, they have been proven wrong, and the Bible has been proven right. But the questioning itself still draws people away. Now in the modern world we live in today, Satan has been unable to use the tactics of old to keep people from reading The Truth, so he has came up with new deceptions and false teachings, and the best work he has done in recent times is in the robbery of time. People have no time! They don't have time to read, study, or pray. People in today's world are so busy doing so many things and many are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet. We are actually in a form of slavery to the earthly systems and don't even know that the whole purpose of our hectic life is to keep them away from the Knowledge of God. This is why our knowledge of the Bible has fallen off! Satan is prevailing, and we don't even know it.
- We are putting God last instead of putting Him first. Globally, we are a completely fallen non-Christian planet, getting worse constantly, and it is all because of the lack of Biblical knowledge. We are in this cycle of refusing to transform our lives into the lives that Christ wants us to live. And that is exactly what it is, a cycle! No time to study, read or pray, creating a lack of knowledge, making us ignorant to the fact that we need to receive this knowledge from God to give us the balance in life where we would have all the time in the world to study, read and pray, and the cycle continues. So we need to change this cycle and turn it into a Godly cycle. God has all the knowledge we could ever need, we just have to receive it. If you need more time in life to learn God's depth of knowledge, then spend more time with Christ, and he will create more time for you to do all the things you need to do so that you will always have time for Him. It is just a completely different cycle between the Godly wise, and the earthly ignorant. which one are you wanting to be a part of?
- So how do we get more Depth of Knowledge?
- Now I know if you have been reading just a fraction of these lessons, you will know the answer to this question. Read More, Study More, Pray More. There is a truth to this and it can not be ignored. YOU are able to take knowledge, YOU are able to receive knowledge, and YOU are also able to refuse knowledge. It is totally up to YOU. Now I know that just by YOU reading these words of wisdom, that YOU are interested in receiving a Depth of Knowledge. Let's start by showing you where true knowledge comes from.
- Knowledge from Scriptures:
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2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Scripture Knowledge comes from God)
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
When we use the scriptures as the basis for our depth of knowledge, we will advance way beyond any other form of acquiring knowledge. So that is what we need to develop first, that depth of knowledge that comes from God. Then we can run the foundation of Godly knowledge into our entire lives. The Godly knowledge will help us process and learn at a better rate in everything we do, including school, work, relationships, learning, and especially love.
- Here are a couple other scriptures of Knowledge and Wisdom.
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Job 34:2-4
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"Hear my words, you wise men;
Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.For the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.Let us choose justice for ourselves;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Jeremiah 3:14-15
(Conditional Promise: When you return to God, He will give you knowledge!)
"Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
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1Kings 3:9-14 (Solomon Asks for Wisdom)
Hosea 4:6-10
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
" The more they increased,
The more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.
They eat up the sin of My people;
They set their heart on their iniquity.
And it shall be: like people, like priest.
So I will punish them for their ways,
And reward them for their deeds.
For they shall eat, but not have enough;
They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;
Because they have ceased obeying the LORD.
Note: Not only were God's people refusing the knowledge of God, they were consuming themselves with the worldly desire. This is exactly what I am talking about with the world today and the cycle that keeps these two elements revolving.
Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."
Note: When we pray for Wisdom and Knowledge, God not only gives, He gives us in abundance, and He gives excess gifts even beyond what we are requesting. What an awesome God!!
Let's Learn a Little Wisdom Today
One of the biggest things that we can ever learn is to understand that knowledge really is power. And that goes the same for Godly knowledge! When you get Godly knowledge, you also get Godly power, which is the most powerful element in existence. God is willing to give us all the power of His knowledge when we are on that sincere path to searching for His Word with consistency and a dedication of commitment.
Any type of knowledge takes time to learn and takes time to apply them into our everyday lives. It is thru these studies and applications that we will become the people that He wants us to be. And just as any talent can be perfected thru practice, so too will our relationships with Christ be perfected.
The devil will always be trying to do everything to keep us away from Godly knowledge. It is the most powerful tool that Christ has given us. And the more we study the more we realize how simple The Whole Message really is, and we also realize how the devil has been turning this whole world completely upsidedown to keep us from learning God's Messages.
James 3:16-18 (Godly Wisdom is the only Wisdom)
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Colossians 3:15-17 (Richly in all Wisdom)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
As you can see, we need a depth of knowledge more than anything, and how do we get this depth of knowledge? We Read More, Study More, And Pray More!