PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 20, 2022

USEFUL KNOWLEDGE

In The Sign of Four Sherlock Holmes tells Doctor Watson that French detective Francois le Villard possesses two of the qualities for an ideal detective, observation and deduction, but lacks knowledge.  However, Holmes is sure that this quality will come in time.

Now when Holmes talks about knowledge he is not talking about general knowledge, but the knowledge which is useful to make a good detective.  Holmes possesses knowledge in the areas of botany (variable), geology (practical), chemistry (profound) anatomy (accurate) and sensational literature (immense). (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 11) He has written monographs on “Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccos,” “Tracing of Footsteps” and “The Influence of a Trade upon the Form of the Hand.”

Holmes has an index of men and things that he uses as a reference for information.  In A Study in Scarlet Holmes tells Watson, “They lay all the evidence before me, and I am generally able, by the help of my knowledge of the history of crime, to set them straight.  There is a strong family resemblance about misdeeds, and if you have all the details of a thousand at your finger ends, it is odd if you can’t unravel the thousand and first.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 14)  In discussing the similarities between James Wild and Professor Moriarty in The Valley of Fear Sherlock tells Inspector Mac Donald “The old wheel turns, and the same spoke comes up.  It’s all been done before, and will be again.” (The Complete Sherlock Holmes, p. 912)

In his study of John Wesley, Dr. Albert Outler came to the conclusion that John Wesley “believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason.” (2008 Book of Discipline, p. 77)  Today, this is known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. When I was working on my summer residency in Chicago for my DM from McCormick Theological Seminary, one of the professors added Culture to the list.  Two of Wesley’s elements, Scripture and Tradition, as well as Culture involve knowledge.

Scripture is the primary source where the Word of God is revealed so far as it is necessary for salvation.  Therefore, a Christian should focus on a disciplined study of the Bible which contains useful information for the Christian journey. Tradition sets the parameters for possible understandings of scripture.  It provides both a source and measure of authentic Christian witness.  The more one knows about Scripture and Tradition the better one is equipped to live out a Christian life.

Proverbs 1:2-7 confirms Wesley’s observation that Scripture is the primary source of knowledge for faith and practice. “For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young – Let the wise also hear and gain in learning and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and figure; the words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:2-7)

If one wants to be a successful gardener there is much useful information to learn.  In designing one’s garden it is important to have some idea of garden design, types of soils, how to read seed catalogues, selection of plants and yearly weather patterns.  Once the seeds and plants are in the ground one needs to have basic information about watering, feeding, mulching, thinning and weeding.  It is important that one has some basic knowledge of and how to deal with diseases, insects, and pests.  In the case of my garden I need to have some knowledge of raised beds and square foot gardening.

Important to leading an interesting life, to enjoying one’s pass-times, and to experiencing God’s many blessings is the acquisition of useful knowledge.