A few years ago, a major magazine publisher took a poll asking Americans who they believed was the most intelligent person in our country. The winner was Carl Sagan.

People are impressed by intelligence. Unfortunately, people are also duped by intelligence. Because someone is intelligent, they are not necessarily right, and they may not be wise either. Mr. Sagan may have a high IQ, but according to the teachings of orthodox Christianity, he rates at the bottom of WQ (Wisdom Quotient) scoring. "The fool says in his heart there is no God." Mr. Sagan has not only said this in his heart, but in his books, and documentaries.

Thus, it can be seen by Carl Sagan's example, that wisdom and intelligence have little to do with one another. Understanding that this is the case, it would be advantageous for the church to discover patterns of teaching which pass on, not only the facts of the scriptures, but also life-applicational wisdom.

Intelligence is the ability to learn facts: to remember them, to understand them, and to creatively inter-relate them. Wisdom is the ability to learn life: to relate to others, to distinguish right from wrong, and to understand one's place in God's universe. Intelligence is taught. Wisdom is caught. Intelligence thrives in the lecture hall. Wisdom thrives in the streets, the marketplace, and the home.

The scriptures tell us that wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom...." A perusal of the Proverbs shows us that wisdom is obtained through a variety of mediums. Let's note some of the ways, and places our WQ is increased:

* The listening person discovers wisdom (Pr. 1:5; 2:2)
* Wisdom is found in the "streets" (Pr. 1:20; 8:1-4)
* Wisdom is learned in the context of family structure (Pr. 4:1-5)
* Wisdom is discovered through obedience (Pr. 7:1-4)
* Reproof and instruction increase wisdom (Pr. 9:7-9)
* The foundation of wisdom is the fear of God
(Pr. 9:10)
* Wise friends establish wisdom (Pr. 13:20)
* Wise counsel increases wisdom (Pr. 24:6)

A quick look at these principles of developing your WQ shows that wisdom is gained, and refined in the context of living, and relating to others. For too long, people have understood the educational process of the church as a lecture hall format. We sit in the pews, and the professional clergy lead us through the teachings of scripture. The lecture hall increases one's IQ, but leaves the WQ largely untouched.

The development of wisdom should be one of the primary concerns of church leadership. The difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom is vast, whereas the distinction between intelligence in the kingdom and out is relatively small.

Remembering facts, and being able to spit them back is the same whether one is a Christian or not. Yet, how one relates to the world changes significantly on the basis of faith in Christ. Therefore, the church is in great need of developing methods of increasing our WQ, if she desires to look significantly different than the world.

Since wisdom is relationally and practically gained, it is essential that we have relational and practical means of acquiring wisdom. Wisdom is gained where I can be heard, as well as be a listener: where I relate my experiences on the streets of life; where I have a family who is there to support, encourage, and counsel me; where I can be corrected if need be; and where I can make friends who are also developing in godly wisdom.

This cannot happen in the lecture hall format, which has become the standard of church life for most of us. Only in the context of smaller groups gathering to work out the practicalities of Christian doctrine, will we ever discover the powerful development of our WQ.

Note: Sometime between the publishing of this article in The Good News Etc., and the publishing of this book, Carl Sagan passed away. May the Lord grant grace to his family, and wisdom to the generations which succeed him.