Scripture as a Source of Wisdom in Catholic Theology | Fr. Jordan Schmidt, O.P.
Dec 10, 2024
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Fr. Jordan Schmidt, an Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture with a PhD in biblical studies, sheds light on the profound concept of wisdom within Catholic theology. He reflects on personal experiences that shaped his understanding of wisdom, emphasizing its accessibility. The discussion reveals wisdom as a crucial element of scripture that nurtures both practical living and a deeper relationship with God. Schmidt advocates for engaging with biblical texts as a means to develop wisdom, highlighting its transformative role in Christian life.
Wisdom is a relational concept rooted in both divine insight and human understanding, accessible through prayer and experience.
The Bible serves as a divine revelation, guiding individuals towards spiritual growth by providing wisdom and practical life guidance.
Deep dives
Understanding Wisdom
Wisdom is often misunderstood as an esoteric concept, something beyond human experience, exemplified by the speaker's own misconceptions during his undergraduate years. Initially, wisdom seemed to him like the mysterious traits of a monk on a distant mountain rather than the familiar acts of faith practiced by his family. This notion highlights a common misconception that wisdom is unattainable or hidden, failing to recognize that wisdom is, in fact, observable and accessible through practices such as prayer, study, and experience of the physical world. The speaker emphasizes that wisdom, particularly within the Catholic tradition, is intended to be a clear and achievable path rather than an enigma.
Divine vs. Human Wisdom
The podcast discusses two primary forms of wisdom: divine wisdom, which is God's knowledge of Himself and creation, and human wisdom, a gift from God allowing individuals to understand His plan. Divine wisdom encompasses God's creative and sustaining knowledge, while human wisdom is described as a participation in that divine understanding, granted through the Holy Spirit. This distinction is crucial as it helps individuals recognize wisdom as a relational concept, fundamentally connected to their understanding of God and His purpose. By viewing wisdom through this dual lens, the faithful can appreciate the role of scripture as a source that guides them towards deeper comprehension and spiritual growth.
The Nature of Scripture
Understanding the Bible's role as a source of wisdom requires a clear framework regarding its nature and purpose. The Bible is not merely a text but a written expression of God's revelation, intended to convey a message of salvation. This revelation has been communicated through human authors who, under divine inspiration, shared God's truth in various literary forms, representing a broad spectrum of genres. This means that the wisdom literature found within the Bible is meant to be engaged with carefully, as it offers both spiritual insight and practical guidance essential for understanding one's relationship with God.
Acquiring and Practicing Wisdom
The pursuit of wisdom involves both the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge in daily life. The podcast identifies wisdom in the biblical sense as being both given by God and acquired through diligent study and reflection. Textual examples illustrate that wisdom can manifest in practical abilities, such as craftsmanship, or in a more theoretical understanding of life and faith. Ultimately, engaging with the wisdom literature provides a framework for individuals to deepen their understanding of God's plan and their place within it, fostering a more profound spiritual insight and cooperation with divine grace.
Father Jordan Schmidt discusses the concept of wisdom in Catholic theology, focusing on its definition, its relationship to knowledge, and how it can be acquired and exercised through the study of scripture, particularly wisdom literature in the Bible.
This lecture was given on November 1st, 2024, at St. Albert's Priority.
Fr. Jordan Schmidt graduated with a BA in English and Philosophy from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN in 2002. He entered the Order of Preachers in 2005 and after completing his theological studies (STL and Mdiv), he was ordained a priest in 2012. Fr. Jordan initially served as associate pastor of St Mary’s parish in New Haven, CT, and subsequently returned to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC to pursue doctoral studies at CUA, ultimately earning his PhD in biblical studies in 2018. He is currently an assistant professor of Sacred Scripture at the PFIC where he teaches various Old Testament courses, including survey courses on the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Wisdom literature as well as seminar courses on biblical inspiration, eschatology and apocalyptic literature, theological history, and creation theology.
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