Dylan
O'Connor
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
I have a question regarding the nature of
Wisdom that I hope you can help me with.
Proverbs 8:22-30 and Wisdom 7:25 say that
Wisdom is eternal, having existed before the
beginning of the universe and is a pure
emanation of the glory of the Almighty God:
22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning
of his ways, before he made anything from
the beginning. 23 I was set up from eternity,
and of old, before the earth was made. 24 The depths were not as yet, and I was already
conceived, neither had the fountains of
waters as yet sprung out. 25 The mountains,
with their huge bulk, had not as yet been
established: before the hills, I was brought
forth: 26 He had not yet made the earth, nor
the rivers, nor the poles of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was present:
when with a certain law, and compass, he
enclosed the depths: 28 When he established
the sky above, and poised the fountains
of waters: 29 When he compassed
the sea with its bounds, and set a law
to the waters that they should not pass
their limits: when he balanced the foundations
of the earth; 30 I was with him forming all
things: and was delighted every day, playing
before him at all times;"
(Proverbs 8:22-30)
25 For she is a vapour of the power
of God, and a certain pure emanation of
the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore
no defiled thing cometh into her.
(Wisdom 7:25) |
From what I understand, Wisdom is usually
considered to be an attribute and characteristic
of God's Nature and co-eternal with Him rather
than one of His creations.
However, (Ecclesiasticus|Sirach) 1:4; 1:9; 24:8 appears
to say that Wisdom is a creation:
4 Wisdom has been created before all
things, and the understanding of prudence
from everlasting. (Ecclesiasticus
1:4)
9 He created her in the Holy Ghost,
and saw her, and numbered her, and measured
her. (Ecclesiasticus 1:9)
5 I came out of the mouth of the most
High, the firstborn before all creatures:
(Ecclesiasticus
24:5) |
- How are these verses reconciled?
- Could you please clarify this issue for me?
Thanks in advance.
God bless,
Dylan
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Is the nature of (Wisdom|wisdom) in the Scriptures an Eternal Wisdom or a created wisdom? }
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Mary
Ann replied:
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Dylan,
Wisdom is the mind of God from eternity,
and the emanation or reflection of
His mind in His creation temporally,
and also the working of that mind
in creating.
Mary Ann
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Paul
replied:
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Dear Dylan,
It seems both can be true but in
different senses.
Wisdom is uncreated inasmuch as the
eternal Word of God is eternal Wisdom,
who is a Person and became Jesus
in the Incarnation.
Wisdom is created inasmuch as it
is found throughout creation. The wisdom of
the stars, galaxies, and solar systems
move exactly as they should according
to God's Will, according to His Laws
of nature found in gravity, force,
etc., as do all the plants and animals.
They all are made from Wisdom and
show forth God's wisdom in their
being.
Angels too have much wisdom
as persons, as do some human beings.
This is all a created wisdom found
in creatures that reflects and points
to the Uncreated Wisdom of God Himself so it depends on how the word is
used.
I suppose we could distinguish
them by using the capital W for the eternal Wisdom
who is God, and a small w for
the wisdom in His creatures that
reflect His great Wisdom.
Peace,
Paul
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