But John runs ahead and arrives before Peter - for contemplation, being deeply purified, penetrates more sharply and speedily into the secret power of the divine intent than does action, which still needs purification.

  - Eriugena, Homily on John 1.1-14 (Irish, 9th century)

...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

In a recent article at the Fast Company website, Kaihann Krippendorff argued that true knowledge is not what we know in our heads, but we are able to act on quickly for competitive advantage.

This is what we might expect in a world increasingly defined by economics and driven by material success. That only should be counted as knowledge which we can use to our personal advantage and the advantage of our colleagues.

Very evolutionary, no?

Eriugena compared the Apostles Peter and John as they ran to the tomb of Jesus upon hearing that He had risen from the dead. Peter was the man of action; John was the contemplative. In this case, John arrived first at the tomb, indicating to Eriugena that contemplation is more likely to get to the heart of matters divine and eternal than mere acting.

There is truth to this. Paul insisted that the great objective of his life was to know Jesus Christ and to enter into the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. This is a kind of knowledge that goes beyond mere head knowledge (Eph. 3.19) and, ideally, precedes action. It is personal knowledge, intimacy with God that comes through contemplation and patient waiting on the Lord in the midst of trials.

By this knowledge information - what we know in our heads - is processed into lived experience - "participating" in God, as Paul and Peter have it (1 Cor. 10.16; 2 Pt. 1.4). Such "participating" in God finds us engaged with His glory - face to face with the exalted Christ, as it were (2 Cor. 3.12-18; 4.6) - so that we are taken over by God's glory like the bush that shone before Moses.

This experience - this participation - in God's glory exerts a powerful transforming effect on us, as the Spirit uses these encounters to form Jesus Christ in us (2 Cor. 3.18). When we go forth from such an experience of knowing, we will act in the Spirit's power so that Jesus' righteousness comes to expression, for the glory of God, in all the everyday details and activities of our lives (1 Cor. 10.31).

And this may have nothing whatsoever to do with "competitive advantage." In fact, it may mean laying down your life for a friend, giving away possessions and skills to a needy person, or simply enduring the mocking and scorn of those with whom you are witnessing about the Lord.

True knowing is knowing the Lord - really knowing Him. Not just knowing about Him. And not just acting like you know Him. But really knowing Him from having participated in Him and engaged Him in His glory.

Seek this kind of knowledge of the Lord, and you will know truly, indeed.

It is to promote such true knowledge that we are offering courses online through The Ailbe Seminary. Here is an opportunity for you to learn the disciplines that lead to true knowing - involving study, contemplation, discipline, and action as King Jesus shapes you into His true follower for advancing the Kingdom of God. We hope you'll have a look, and, having looked, sign up to study with us in this unique learning opportunity.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.