Analogue wisdom in a digital age
‘How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!’ — Proverbs 16:16
'Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.' –— C.H. Spurgeon
Where do you look for answers?
The internet, social media and AI have put a world of knowledge at our fingertips. In an instant we can find answers to any and every kind of question:
What’s the weather today?
How do I cook a Christmas roast?
What should I watch on Netflix tonight?
What's happening in America right now?
And… What on earth does 6-7 mean?
These tools can be invaluable for acquiring information and expanding our understanding. They can and should be received as gifts from God.
The problem is when we search for wisdom in places that can only ever provide us with knowledge.
While digital technologies like the internet, social media and AI can give us quick answers and instant access to a sea of information, they can’t help us navigate life’s biggest questions, decisions and dilemmas.
For that, we need to get offline.
We need godly wisdom.
We need to go analogue.
The habits of analogue wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 says: ‘Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.’
Christian wisdom begins with reverence and awe of God. It is the application of knowledge to lead a godly and righteous life. It’s the slow, reflective, lifelong process of getting to know God and learning to live rightly in His world.
Another way to put it is that Christian wisdom is about living a life that corresponds to reality. Wisdom comes ultimately from looking to and abiding in Christ, the eternal Logos who is Wisdom itself.
I also believe that Christian wisdom is deeply analogue, because the spiritual disciplines that correspond to wisdom are offline, embodied, and communal.
If you’re thinking about your next steps in life, ChatGPT might be able to suggest some helpful career ideas—but it can’t replicate the slow, prayerful process of discerning God’s call on your life alongside others.
If you’re thinking about who you should marry, a Christian influencer on Instagram might give you some useful dating advice—but they can’t replace the counsel of wise mentors and friends who know you deeply and are committed to what's best for you.
If you’re wrestling with sin and temptation, the internet might point you to some helpful teaching and resources—but it can’t replace coming before Jesus in surrender, falling on His grace, filling your mind with the truth of His Word, and seeking accountability with your church community.
Christian wisdom isn’t a matter of instant answers and quick solutions. Wisdom flourishes in the quiet place of prayer and meditation. It comes from wrestling with God’s Word over months and years as you learn to live in light of His reality.
Christian wisdom dwells in your church family, in the lives of wise friends and mentors and leaders who can speak into your life with Biblical truth, love and real-life experience.
If you want knowledge, by all means use the digital tools at your disposal.
But if you want wisdom?
First, ‘ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.’ (James 1:5). Pray that God's Spirit would renew your mind. And then get offline and engage in the analogue disciplines of prayer, worship, the Word and community.
May we be a community of people who love God's truth, who seek to live in light of His reality, and who root ourselves in Christ who is Wisdom itself.
With love,
Mike
