Source of All Knowledge

https://odb.org/MY/2021/10/12/the-greatest-teacher

As we grow up and start school, we realised that there are weaker and brighter students, basically students who are either slower or quicker to catch up and understand the material taught. Because there are a variety of subjects in school from languages to math to natural science and social sciences, not everyone can absorb and do well at all subjects. Those who could and who worked harder will top the class. Some may argue that those multi disciplinary subjects may not be useful in real life. Maybe it is true for some subjects but we all know that the 3 R’s (read, write and arithmetic) are actually quite essential for ordinary living.

We also realised that as we grow up that we could be good at certain things or knowledgeable at certain subjects. Like I had a friend who knew all the Marvel characters inside out. Or someone who knows plants or insects or cars or cats or dogs or warships or submarines etc. In fact with Google, one can be an overnight expert on any subject matter! Thus, knowledge itself is diverse and the means to acquire knowledge more accessible nowadays with the advent of technology.

But in the midst of all that we know that God is the source of all knowledge and we have access to God as believers. Can we learn math from God? Theoretically, it’s possible but historically, it has never been recorded anywhere (to my knowledge) that He had appeared in front of anyone to teach math! So, we pray that as we learn math that God will help us understand, to open up our minds to work out, absorb and remember the workings. Or we could pray that God will impart His knowledge on us as we learn it.

What is the message today? I believe that as much as knowledge is much more easily accessed nowadays with Google and the Internet, we must acknowledge that the source of all knowledge is still God. We need discernment to know what knowledge is good and what is bad, what is healthy and what is unhealthy. Even in the pursuit of Christian knowledge or following the teachings of Christian teachers, past and present, there is so much diversity in sources and numbers. There are possibly thousands of books and articles just on a subject like faith and there are many topics within the realm of Christian studies.

We cannot deny that our mind is limited. That is how each and every one of us are made. But the knowledge out there appears to be unlimited and infinite, at least compared to the capacity of our mind. In addition, our time for study is also limited.

Therefore to everyone who is pursuing knowledge, I think it is best we pray and consult God every step of the way to lead us to the right direction and the right source as God knows what’s best for us, so that we make the most of our limited time to learn and acquire the best and most suitable knowledge and skills that will help us serve God better and fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. The world is an oasis when it comes to acquiring knowledge but we need to pick and choose wisely and carefully with Godly discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit.