Section 2: Knowledge and Wisdom — Divine Omniscience and Human Limitation
1. Introduction
At the heart of Christian theology lies the conviction that God knows all things—past, present, and future—while human beings, though capable of reason and understanding, possess only partial, fallible, and often distorted knowledge. The contrast between divine omniscience and human limitation is not merely epistemological but deeply spiritual. It shapes the foundation of biblical trust, humility, and revelation.
This section explores the attribute of God’s omniscience, the limitations of human knowledge, and the theological significance of their contrast throughout Scripture and doctrine.
2. Divine Omniscience in Scripture
Omniscience (from Latin omni = all, scientia = knowledge) refers to God’s perfect and exhaustive knowledge of all things—actual and possible.
Key biblical affirmations include:
- “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:5, ESV)
- “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4, NIV)
- “No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13)
God’s knowledge:
- Is infinite (Job 37:16)
- Includes the heart and motives (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9)
- Precedes time (Isaiah 46:10 — “declaring the end from the beginning”)
Omniscience is not passive awareness; it is an active, purposeful knowledge that undergirds divine providence (Acts 2:23) and judgment (Romans 2:16).
3. Human Knowledge: Finite and Fragmented
Human beings are created with intellect (Gen. 2:20; Ps. 8:5), but the Fall introduced moral and cognitive limitations (Gen. 3:6–7). Scripture emphasises:
- “Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
- “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:7)
- “The heart is deceitful above all things… who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Human knowledge:
- Is derived, not innate
- Is empirical and limited by perception
- Is often influenced by sin, pride, and emotion
Even the wisest (Solomon, Ecclesiastes 1:18) found knowledge unsatisfying and incomplete.
4. Comparative Analysis: God’s Omniscience vs. Human Limitation
| Aspect | Divine Nature (Omniscience) | Human Nature (Limited Knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Unlimited, infinite (Ps. 147:5) | Finite and narrow (1 Cor. 13:12) |
| Origin | Self-existent, a divine attribute | Acquired, learned from experience |
| Accuracy | Infallible and perfect (Heb. 4:13) | Error-prone and uncertain |
| Temporal Knowledge | Knows all time equally (Isa. 46:10) | Sequential, learns from past |
| Moral Knowledge | Knows motives and hearts (1 Sam. 16:7) | Misjudges outwardly (John 7:24) |
| Dependence | Independent; needs no teacher (Isa. 40:14) | Dependent on revelation and discovery |
| Application of Knowledge | Always just and wise (Rom. 11:33) | Prone to misuse or fail to act (James 4:17) |
5. Theological and Doctrinal Insights
a. Revelation as the Bridge
Because human knowledge is limited, divine revelation becomes essential. God’s omniscience is graciously communicated through Scripture, prophecy, and the Incarnation (Heb. 1:1–3).
b. Epistemic Humility
Human limitation should lead not to scepticism but epistemic humility—a posture of trust in divine wisdom (Prov. 3:5–6; Rom. 11:33–34). Augustine argued that faith seeks understanding (fides quaerens intellectum), not autonomy.
c. Omniscience and Providence
God’s complete knowledge underpins providence (Rom. 8:28), election (Eph. 1:4), and final judgment (Rev. 20:12). Divine omniscience ensures that nothing escapes God’s righteous oversight.
6. Christological Fulfilment: The Word of Knowledge Made Flesh
In Jesus Christ, divine omniscience enters human form:
- Jesus knew people’s hearts (John 2:24–25)
- He foretold future events (Mark 13; Matt. 16:21)
- Yet in His humanity, He accepted limitations (Mark 13:32 — “not even the Son knows the day…”)
This paradox shows that the divine Son, while retaining His deity, chose to submit to human limits, revealing both the mystery of the Incarnation and the condescension of divine wisdom (Phil. 2:6–8).
7. Practical Implications for Faith and Life
- Trust over control: We don’t need to know all things; we need to trust the One who does (Prov. 3:5)
- Learning and discernment: Christians are called to renew their minds (Rom. 12:2) and grow in knowledge (Col. 1:10) with humility
- Avoiding pride in knowledge: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1)
8. Conclusion
The contrast between God’s omniscience and human ignorance is not meant to discourage, but to draw worshippers to awe, dependence, and trust. While God knows all perfectly, He reveals what is needed for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). The limits of human knowledge are meant to drive us to the infinite wisdom of God, who invites all to walk not by sight, but by faith.
References
- Augustine. (1998). Confessions (trans. H. Chadwick). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Calvin, J. (1559/1960). Institutes of the Christian Religion. (trans. F. L. Battles). Westminster Press.
- Grudem, W. (1994). Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester: IVP.
- Lewis, C. S. (1943). The Abolition of Man. London: HarperCollins.
- Packer, J. I. (1973). Knowing God. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
- The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV).