“Deliberately Diverse” represents the individual thoughts of Taylor friends who never completely agree about anything but enjoy diverse discussions.
Wisdom in Biblical terms is both an attribute of God and a dynamic, feminine divine figure who was present at creation and offers human guidance, justice and peace. We see that in the Hebrew Chokmah and in the Greek Sophia.
In the Hebrew Bible, which we often call the Old Testament, the Wisdom Literature includes Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These texts focus on the individual rather than the nation of Israel and address practical living, the meaning of life and coping with suffering.
Written closer to the New Testament era and considered Scripture by some Christian traditions, the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach expand on the wisdom teachings.
In Proverbs 8, Wisdom declares she was present with God before the creation of the world: • “I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.” Proverbs 8:23
• “Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.” Proverbs 8:3031 In the Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 7, Wisdom is described as “the fashioner of all things” who is “intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all and penetrating,” concluding in verses 25-27:
• 25: “For she is a breath of the power of God and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore, nothing defiled gains entrance into her.”
• 26: “For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.”
• 27: “Although she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God and prophets.”
The Letter of James connects with the Old Testament wisdom tradition: Wisdom is practical, ethical, concerned with speech, humility, patience, and right conduct.
James 1:5 tells readers to ask God for wisdom, framing it as a gift freely given. James 3:13–17 contrasts “earthly, unspiritual” wisdom (marked by envy, selfish ambition) with wisdom “from above,” described as pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy — an ethical/relational vision of wisdom rather than an intellectual one.
Paul’s writings in the New Testament connect Christ to this feminine aspect of divinity. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes, “But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, (we proclaim) Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
The word translated as wisdom is Sophia.
Stay tuned in two weeks for an exploration of Sophia, Jesus and the Holy Spirit from the Wisdom perspective.
Pierce is the pastor at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Taylor.
