In His Image by Jen Wilkin
Week 11: Chapter 10 — Wise
Read Chapter 10 of In His Image. Key passages: Proverbs 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:18–31; James 1:5; Romans 11:33–36.
Previewing Week 11 of In His Image
Read 3 of 8 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
We live in the Information Age, drowning in data and starving for wisdom. Wilkin's final attribute chapter makes the case that true wisdom begins not with knowledge or experience, but with the fear of the Lord — and that Christ himself is the wisdom of God.
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.Proverbs 1:7 declares 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' Wilkin treats this as the foundational statement of the entire wisdom tradition. What does it mean that wisdom begins with fear — and what kind of fear does this mean? How is 'fear of the Lord' different from terror?
2.Romans 11:33–36 is one of the most sublime passages about divine wisdom in all of Scripture — Paul breaks into doxology at the 'depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.' What does it tell us that this worship of God's wisdom comes at the end of Paul's most rigorous theological argument (Romans 9–11)? What is the relationship between hard thinking and worship?
3.1 Corinthians 1:18–31 is one of the most startling passages in the New Testament: God's wisdom looks like foolishness to the world, and the cross — which appears to be weakness and defeat — is actually the wisdom and power of God. How does the cross redefine what wisdom looks like? What does it displace as the world's standard of wisdom?
a.Can you identify an area of your life where you have been tempted to pursue 'worldly wisdom' — pragmatism, status, influence — rather than the cruciform wisdom of the gospel?
b.What would a decision made according to 'the foolishness of the cross' look like in your current circumstances?