Knowing, knowing and knowing (I) In the natural

If you will allow me to be a little overly simplistic this morning, we know in three different ways. Firstly we know cognitively, as for example, knowing facts and figures. It is this form of knowledge that is primarily imparted at the University. Secondly we know by intuition (more below), and thirdly we know through knowledge gained by experience. The trade schools aim to impart both the first and the third kind of knowledge. In Western thought the first kind of knowledge is often regarded as the most important. In some cases it is regarded as the only way that we know, as in the now defunct premise “Reason is the only pathway to knowledge!” The Greek and the Hebrew words translated “know” in English versions, include all three of these aspects of knowing.

The experiential knowledge referred to above, includes knowledge gained from the school of hard knocks. There is nothing particularly human about this form of knowledge, since even dogs can learn this way! In living in academia for my entire career I have seen those who are quite brilliant in the first way of knowing, but don’t have a clue in either of the other two ways. I am convinced that the tendency of many males to dismiss intuitive knowledge, lies behind some of the many marital difficulties. We dismiss female intuition at our peril!

Albert Einstein’s experience illustrates the importance of intuition. He describes how he came upon the theory of relativity. He relates how he was lying on the grassy bank, gazing at a sunbeam through half closed eyes, and wondering what it would be like to ride a sunbeam, when the theory of relativity came to him intuitively. He then went into his laboratory and proved it. In particular it was not step-by-step logic that led to the theory, rather it was the other way around. In mathematics, we call things we think are true but cannot prove, conjectures. We then seek to either prove or disprove them.

Father, I suspect that most of us are out of balance in terms of how we know what we think we know. I never cease to be amazed the ingenuity and creativity of mankind. It is said Lord that Michelangelo could “see” David inside the block of marble that would become his famous statue. It seems that Michelangelo had all three forms of knowledge mentioned here. For me, I cannot see how such knowledge is consistent with those forms of evolution that discount Your design. How such knowledge could come out of the survival of the fittest, escapes me. This sort of trinitarian knowledge is surely a reflection of the fact what we are made in Your image. Truly we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and I worship and praise Your Holy Name this morning Lord Jesus Name Amen