The Third Pillar - Wisdom
Wisdom is the outpouring of the character of a person that is mixed with the truth of God in their lives. It is so much more than simply knowledge but is the application of a life marked by a serious and determined disciple seeking after God’s will for their life.
Written by King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, the Book of Proverbs is much more than a collection of pithy sayings about how to approach the tasks of life, but is a book dedicated to the collection of knowledge and the execution of wisdom.
In Proverbs, we are told that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). From this, we are set to lead our students not only in an understanding of their academics, but in the author of those topics, the creator of the beauty they study.
We seek to use that wisdom as we progress through the stages of a classical education to inculcate our students with a greater love for what God is calling each of our students to do with their lives.
In ancient times, philosophers and others sought after wisdom in the same way they sought for truth. Aristotle, in his famous treatise Ethics, defines wisdom as “scientific knowledge, combined with intuitive reason, of the things that are highest by nature” (Ethics, VI, 1141b).
From these great philosophers, we also hear that wisdom is focused on making good judgments (Plato) and that virtue is knowledge, as a life marked by virtuous living is one lived in the best possible manner (Socrates).
From Athens to Jerusalem, then, wisdom is sought after throughout history with the belief it will lead to a life lived well. At Oakdale Academy, therefore, we instill wisdom in our students to prepare them for a life of service to God, family, community, and country – ways in which we would characterize a life lived well.