Blog 3575 – 08.19.2025

Wisdom

The end of a lifetime of experiences ought by most accounts to be wisdom. But I believe the wisest thing one can do is not to trust experience, nor our own best reasoning, for we have a truer more trustworthy guide. “Not by might, nor by power but by my spirit says the LORD.”

For someone who no longer claims to be a Christian, you sure do quote the Bible a lot, Crazy Dave. I would like to say here plainly that I do believe that the Bible contains the word of God, but not in whole and in part. Sometimes a story is just a story and sometimes the guys who wrote the sixty-six books that a church council voted on to become the canon just got it wrong. One must read the Bible as any book with an open heart and mind and asking for revelation from a higher source for “the things of God are spiritual discerned.”

The three things requested in the Serenity prayer are Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom. Another triple prayer is for Love, Joy, and Peace. One of the often quoted Proverbs from the Bible that I believe the guys got wrong is that “Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom.” It is proof texts like this that are the basis of the “guilt religions” founded and fostered on fear. In another place the Bible say more accurately that “perfect love casts out fear” and that “God is love.” Then there is one of the clearest and most encouraging promises in Scripture – “Fear not for I am with you always.”

One of my favorite Christian song goes, “He was there all the time, he was there all the time, waiting patiently in line, he was there all the time.”

It is said that one the wisest men in the Bible, David’s son, King Solomon was told by God’s prophet to ask whatsoever he would have of God and that it would be his. Solomon prayed tor wisdom and understanding so he could better rule the people. God granted Solomon’s request and then went on to also give him what he had not asked for, honor, riches, long life, and peace with his enemies.

Fear is not the beginning of wisdom, but as wise old Jedi Master Yoda taught young Luke Skywalker, “Fear leads to the dark side.” There is lightness and darkness in all of us. The noted Psychologist and Philosopher Carl Jung taught that in the shadow our true self is revealed in crisis.

One of our greatest Presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, during two of the greatest crises that our country ever experienced, The Great Depression and World War Two, reminded us that we had nothing to fear but fear itself. He was a pretty wise guy.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White