Jesus: The Paradigm
Historically, Christians, in keeping with the teaching of the Bible, have seen Jesus not only as the Savior of the soul but also of the mind. In other words, He is the organizing principle of all knowledge and the ground of all reason. This, at least in part, is what Paul meant when he said that Jesus is “before all things”, and that in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. Likewise, in his letter to the believers in Ephesus, he says that God has purposed the summing up of all things in Jesus.
In philosophical terms, we might say that Jesus is a worldview—indeed THE worldview—that is, THE way of looking at all of life. Remember, Jesus didn’t claim to be a teacher of the truth, but to be the embodiment of the truth. Listen to His own words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Once again, the words of the Apostle Paul: “all the fullness of deity dwells in him in bodily form.” Jesus is the ideal made real, the universal concept made concrete, the truth made tangible, the myth made man, the story made history.
What is your organizing principle for knowledge? Is it Jesus? Such a mindset doesn’t just happen; it must be nurtured. This is why God commands us to be about the business of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2)
Something to think about from “The Kingdom Perspective”.
I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
~Colossians 2:1-5
