Knowledge is not Sufficient

Wendell Berry and the Evangelical "Crisis"

Wendell Berry, Henry County, Kentucky, 1970s. (James Baker Hall)

My corner of Protestantism, and I think many others, are, or at least seem to be, in a chronic state of catastrophe. It is interesting, there seems to be, from across the theological spectrum, a book every year that is the book that the Church needs in this time of “crisis.”¹ Additionally, there is a whole genre of podcasts and internet personalities that catalogue, dissect, correct, champion, and decry the infamous Evangelical movement. This is not a judgment on this content’s quality or truthfulness, but simply an observation of a far too online 31 year old. It is obvious that Evangelicals, past and present, love to talk about Evangelicalism, and ironically here I am proving the veracity of this statement.

There is undeniably a social order present in the Evangelical and Exvangelical subcultures. In both, status is dependent and decided on the same things—the books you read, the educational institutions you attend, and the willingness to signal blessing towards approved thinkers and curses towards unapproved thinkers. Interestingly, for both, all current Christian ills can be solved in the same way: more knowledge. If only we had better books, seminaries, Bible translations, and were better readers of Holy Scripture and culture, then we would be cured from our sickness! In short, there is an obsession with human action and ability, the Church’s hope resting in the hands of the most gifted theological curators and “rightly” educated.

Wendell Berry rejects the assumption that “knowledge is sufficient,” stating that “the evidence is overwhelming that knowledge does not solve the human problem, it probably doesn’t solve any problem. Indeed, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests, with Genesis, that knowledge is the problem.”² Books are powerful, but knowledge cannot save us, but there is One who can. I am sad to say, but many corners of Christianity, Evangelical and beyond, are marked by a spirit of careerism, intellectual obsession, and gnostic impulses. But, what if the hope of salvation has nothing to do with our intellect or ability? What if God saves us in spite of ourselves? What if God actually works through imperfect people with flawed messages? Knowledge is not sufficient, but God is.

1. I am not convinced that there is a “crisis.” I just think catastrophe sells.

2. E. F. Schumacher Lecture, “People, Land, and Community,” Wendell Berry, 10:00-11:00: https://centerforneweconomics.org/publications/people-land-and-community/