An End to Wisdom
For Paul and the Gospel writers, “wisdom” is problematic. On the one hand they propound something that is clearly wisdom-like. On the other hand the New Testament writers identify the death and resurrection of Jesus with the inauguration of a new era. They reject the legitimacy of human authority based on ruling knowledge and the notion that wisdom derived from such knowledge is adequate to order human life. In keeping with prophetic criticisms of kings and other leaders, the New Testament writers are skeptical of the “wise” and the “powerful” who rule over the many. Their claim that wisdom is fully identifiable with Jesus entails a rejection of human claims to wisdom. It is consistent with a program for human flourishing based instead on solidarity, shared suffering, and sacrificial love. These form the basis for a way of life marked less by knowledge than by piety and integrity.