How do you know that you know something? Seems like a simple and almost unnecessary question. However, the pursuit of answering this question has had folks in a tizzy for many millennia. Really, what this question gets at is one of the practical aspects of being made in God’s image. Consequently, this series seeks to apply a practical theological understanding of humans being made in God’s image to everyday life.
“The Lord gives understanding; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6
Where would you begin if you were asked to explain to someone how to know they know how to ride a bike? In other words, how does a person teach bike riding?
One answer might be that you get on, put your hands on the handlebars, feet on the pedals, and go. Does that instruction always work? Most often, it does not.
Thus, how does someone know they know how to ride?
To answer that question, let’s further break this scenario down and consider other details such as forces of gravity, the road’s surface, the handlebars’ tightness, the pedals, and more. Again, this is a silly exercise, and it would be if everyone, from all-time learning to ride a bike, picked it up on the first attempt. However, the reality is that they don’t. It takes time–a few strawberries, scuffed knees, and some bandaids–to “know” how to ride the bike. Even the best bike-riding teacher needs help to impart knowledge to the rider. It follows that a lesson must be about knowing how to ride a bike.
There is! At the heart of exploring this simple bike riding lesson resides the heart of knowing.
Let’s begin. At some point, the details click and actual personal knowledge is attained. The rider adjusts for gravity, road conditions, bike assembly, and foresight to speed down the block and back, delighted with their newfound skill. A non-knowing bike rider instantly becomes a knowing bike rider when all the particulars (gravity, pedals, road, etc.) move from their primary focus to the background, i.e., when the details become general and subconscious. At the moment that occurs, the rider–adjusting for every detail–advances effortlessly down the road, enjoying new sights, sounds, and scenes. This bike rider now knows–not complete, but actual knowledge nevertheless.
What are the elements that made this knowledge possible?
- At its most fundamental level, for knowledge to be possible, there is a knower (with reasoning faculties), teacher(s), and something to know.
- Something to know must move from the disconnected to the connected (from theory to internalized personal experience).
With those two fundamental elements in place, how does a bike riding lesson teach us about the practical implications of imago Dei?
First, let me lay down four principles:
- Knowledge is contingent. When I say contingent, I mean knowledge is a possibility. Indeed, contingent knowledge is the possibility that actual or personal knowledge might not occur. For instance, a bike rider learning to ride a bike might stop before knowing how to ride a bike, which limits his knowledge. When the lessons are abandoned before knowledge reaches reality, theoretical knowledge is the only hope for knowledge. Or a piano player might stop after learning one note. There is not actual or personal but theoretical–remaining outside the person.
- Knowledge is derivative. Simply put, knowledge implies transfer, meaning knowing is derived from something or someone, etc. In other words, when we talk about knowing something, we are talking about knowledge coming from the outside of us to the inside—for example, every human interacts with elements and aspects in their environment. No one lives alone–not even Jeremiah Johnson! Many self-learners exist but don’t exist alone, always, and without anyone. Thus, to know means someone must be in place to pass knowledge along.
- Knowledge is progressive. That knowledge is not static implies that knowledge is continually possible to possess. Take the bike example: knowing how to ride a bike on one surface doesn’t mean knowing how to ride on another. Flat streets are very different than mountain trails. Thus, knowledge grows and develops over time.
- Knowledge is limited. Since mankind is finite, possessing complete knowledge of anything is impossible. However, their knowledge may be actual or real but incomplete.
However, we still need help to answer the question, how does a bike riding lesson teach us about the practical implications of imago Dei?
But first, there’s a problem…
- Because humans suppress the truth of God in unrighteousness, just like the first man and woman, humanity suppresses truth or knowledge in their unrighteousness.
- “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” Romans 1:18-19
So, what’s the solution to knowing or knowledge as it ought to be known and relating it to humans being made in the image of God?
- God has made Himself known, i.e., He is not contingent but original.
- General Revelation: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2
- Special Revelation: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- God opens minds to know Him, i.e., God does not derive knowledge.
- For mankind to not merely observe ‘accidents’ in the world or appearances of knowledge, God must renew their mind to see and know things as they are meant to be known. Unregenerate and unbelieving humans know various levels, which is undoubtedly actual knowledge. However, because they are not rightly related to God, their knowledge is limited by their capacity to know, i.e., their hope for knowing outside of God is like Adam and Eve’s experience upon being removed from the Garden of Eden. They could live within God’s world knowing and existing, but it would be without understanding the greater realities of knowledge.
- “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
- God continually discloses Himself to His people, i.e., God satisfies humans’ fundamental need to know.
- This point ties to the second point and advances the argument that only a relationship with God discloses greater truth within knowledge. In other words, humans rightly related to God see knowledge and knowing as part of their relationship with their Creator. Consequently, knowing progresses and grows as one lives within the Lord’s will, following His way.
- “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:21
In summary, knowledge is possible–at a theoretical level–when the details pass from outside a person to inside as actual and personal knowledge. However, this knowledge is suspended from reality and must be tethered back to the infinite and personal Creator God to make sense of knowledge. It’s essential to be made in God’s image with a mind to reason and think.
Tethering knowledge to God moves knowledge from mere personal knowledge to the second practical aspect of being made in God’s image: understanding. Understanding is that aspect of knowledge that makes connections. It is a metaphysical reality that seeks to answer the “why” behind the “what.” It follows that knowledge is the “what,” and understanding is the “why.”
Thus, the next installment of Imago Dei will unpack understanding as it relates to humanity’s practical aspect of bearing God’s image.
— February 1, 2024