Epistemology is the study of knowledge and justified belief. It seeks to understand what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and to what extent beliefs can be justified. The Bible has much to offer on this topic, though it does not use the term “epistemology” specifically.
According to the Bible, true knowledge comes from God. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Any true knowledge that humans can attain comes ultimately from God, even if they do not acknowledge Him as the source.
The Bible teaches that human reason and observation can lead to some knowledge of the natural world (Romans 1:20). However, spiritual truth that leads to salvation can only be known through revelation from God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”
God has revealed spiritual truth through Christ, Scripture, prophets, and apostles. Faith is required to accept this revealed knowledge. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Biblical faith is not blind but based on evidence and testimony.
Human knowledge is limited and flawed due to the effects of sin. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Complete and perfect knowledge awaits eternal life.
The Bible affirms that human senses, reason, and experience can lead to useful knowledge. But spiritual truth requires divine revelation. All human knowledge is partial and fallible. True wisdom comes ultimately from revering God and humbly receiving the knowledge He chooses to reveal.
The Limitations of Human Knowledge
The Bible clearly teaches that human knowledge is limited and imperfect. Several factors contribute to this limitation:
- The effects of the Fall – When Adam and Eve sinned, the entire human race fell from moral and intellectual perfection (Genesis 3). Sin darkened human understanding and reasoning (Ephesians 4:18).
- The transcendence of God – As Creator, God’s knowledge and wisdom far exceed human capabilities to fully comprehend them (Isaiah 55:8-9).
- Human finitude – Humans are finite creatures with limited perspectives and cognitive abilities.
- The ambiguity of evidence – Facts can be interpreted in various ways, and evidence does not always point unambiguously to a single conclusion.
The Bible denies that humans can have absolute certainty about most things. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9). Our knowledge and prophecies are imperfect and incomplete. Complete knowledge awaits the future state when we will know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The Source of Knowledge
While the Bible denies that humans can attain absolute knowledge, it does teach that limited but useful knowledge is possible through:
- Divine Revelation – God has chosen to reveal Himself through nature (Psalm 19:1), Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), Christ (John 14:9), and the Spirit’s illumination (1 Corinthians 2:10). Knowledge of God and His will comes primarily via divine revelation.
- Human Reason – Human reason and observation can lead to useful knowledge, especially about the natural world in which we live (Romans 1:20). But reason alone cannot lead to saving knowledge of God.
- Moral Intuitions – God has instilled a basic sense of right and wrong in every person (Romans 2:14-15). While dimmed by sin, conscience provides some moral direction.
- The Senses – Human senses provide knowledge of the world around us, though sensory experience can be misinterpreted and must be tested.
So the Bible affirms that human reason, conscience, and senses can provide useful knowledge. But the most important spiritual knowledge comes via divine revelation. Reason and experience alone cannot lead to God.
The Certainty of Knowledge
Given the limitations of human knowledge, can any knowledge be held with certainty? The Bible suggests several degrees of certainty:
- Absolute Certainty – God alone has absolute certainty concerning all things. “For who has known the mind of the Lord?” (Romans 11:34).
- Spiritual Certainty – Through faith and the Spirit’s illumination, believers can have certainty of salvation and God’s revealed truth. “I know whom I have believed…” (2 Timothy 1:12).
- Moral Certainty -Human reason and experience can provide certainty beyond reasonable doubt that something is true.
- Provisional Certainty – Daily life requires assuming many things are true, though they could be false. This practical certainty remains open to revision.
Biblically, absolute certainty is unattainable in most spheres of knowledge. Even strong convictions may need revision given new evidence. “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12). But God gives sufficient certainty through revelation, reason, and experience to accomplish His will.
Faith and Knowledge
Faith is fundamental to attaining spiritual knowledge, according to the Bible. But biblical faith is not blind belief. Key aspects of biblical faith include:
- Knowledge of the truth – Faith builds on true understanding of God’s revelation (Romans 10:17). Biblical faith is not detachment from reason.
- Assent to truth – Faith involves intellectually acknowledging biblical truth as valid and authoritative.
- Trust in Christ – Faith requires trust in the person and work of Jesus for salvation from sin (John 3:16-18).
- Obedience to God – True saving faith results in obedience and good works (James 2:14-26).
So biblical faith is grounded in knowledge of God’s revelation and leads to obedience. At the same time, faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). The natural man cannot understand or experience spiritual truth apart from God enabling faith (1 Corinthians 2:14). Knowledge, faith, and obedience are interdependent for the Christian life.
Acquiring Knowledge
How does one acquire true knowledge according to the Bible? Key principles include:
- Fear God – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Reverence for God is foundational.
- Pray for wisdom – If any lacks wisdom, ask God for it in faith (James 1:5-8). Wisdom is a gift of God.
- Study God’s Word – Scripture makes one wise for salvation and trains believers in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
- Use reason – God gave humans rational minds which can discern truth when properly used (Isaiah 1:18).
- Consult others – Wise believers can provide knowledge and accountability (Proverbs 11:14).
- Persevere – Keep asking, seeking, knocking to gain understanding (Matthew 7:7-8).
Gaining true knowledge requires effort but begins with the fear of the Lord. God promises wisdom to those who seek it while looking to Him as the source of all understanding.
Applying Knowledge
It is not enough just to acquire knowledge. The Bible instructs believers to apply knowledge rightly. Principles for application include:
- Act upon it – Those who hear God’s Word should do what it says (Matthew 7:24). Knowledge brings responsibility.
- Speak with care – The tongue has power, so knowledge should be shared carefully (Proverbs 18:21).
- Correct humbly – Any correction should be done gently (2 Timothy 2:25). Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.
- Focus on obedience – The purpose of knowledge is obedience and godly living, not just accumulation of facts (1 Peter 1:14).
- Glorify God – Whatever one does in word or deed should give glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Knowledge carries the responsibility to act upon it appropriately. Wisdom from God leads to humble obedience and actions that honor Him. Mere intellectual knowledge is of limited value if not rightly applied.
False Knowledge
Since human knowledge is flawed and limited, the Bible warns about false knowledge. Believers should be on guard against:
- Human Speculations – Paul warns against getting led astray by “philosophy and empty deceit” based on merely human thinking (Colossians 2:8).
- False Spirits – John encourages testing the spirits against sound doctrine to avoid being led astray (1 John 4:1).
- False Teachers – Jesus warns that false messiahs and false prophets will arise and mislead many (Matthew 24:11).
- Human Traditions – Traditions passed down over generations can distort and obscure the truth of God’s Word (Mark 7:8).
Believers should carefully test all knowledge claims against the truth revealed in Scripture. While secular fields like science, history, and philosophy can yield facts and probable conclusions, they lack the capacity to provide absolute moral and spiritual truth.
True and False Knowledge
So how can believers distinguish true knowledge from falsehood? Biblical advice includes:
- Test against Scripture – God’s Word is the ultimate standard of truth. Anything contradicting it is false (Acts 17:11).
- Consider the fruit – Teachings producing immorality reflect corrupted knowledge (Matthew 7:15-20).
- Examine carefully – Weigh all truth claims carefully against evidence and logic (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
- Rely on wisdom from above – The wisdom from God is pure, impartial, and peaceable (James 3:17).
- Beware deception – Even the elect could be led astray by falsehood. Sobriety is needed (Matthew 24:4).
Distinguishing truth from error requires diligence, prayer, and discerning God’s wisdom. Clinging to biblical truth provides a foundation when all around seems influenced by unreliable knowledge claims.
True Knowledge Leads to Obedience
A distinctive emphasis in the Bible is that true knowledge leads to obedience and righteous living. As James writes:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22-25)
Knowledge of God’s Word is not an end in itself or mere intellectual exercise. True knowledge leads to transformed character and behavior. Obedience brings blessing and life.
The goal of knowledge is also love. As Paul writes:
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
Mere knowledge apart from love for God and others is worthless. Knowledge is intended to build up others, not demonstrate our superiority.
This contrasts sharply with worldly concepts of knowledge. The Bible links knowledge to moral and spiritual transformation, not just intellectual enlightenment.
Conclusion
The Bible provides wonderful insight into knowledge, faith, truth, and wisdom. Human reason can discover some knowledge. But the most valuable spiritual knowledge comes from God’s gracious revelation. Knowledge brings responsibility. The purpose of attaining knowledge is obeying and glorifying God. Wisdom begins with fearing the Lord and ends with living according to His truth.
Believers face constant temptation to chase after worldly knowledge divorced from biblical truth and obedience. But Scripture exhorts us to pursue the pure wisdom from above that expresses itself in righteousness and love. True knowledge leads to humble obedience, joyful service, and praising God for His marvelous grace and eternal kindness in Jesus Christ.