The Wisdom Pyramid

December 21, 2020
McCracken (Uncomfortable), senior editor at the Gospel Coalition, constructs a hierarchy of information sources for Christians in this rudimentary guide. The six sources of wisdom he identifies are the Bible, the church, nature, books, beauty, and—in the position given to fats and sweets in the food pyramid—the internet. McCracken notes that the contemporary phenomenon of information overload can lead to three problems: consuming too much, consuming too fast, and consuming only what’s pleasing. Together, he argues, these failings can paralyze through an excess of choices, weaken one’s ability to reflect and draw connections, and encourage an isolating self-absorption and disconnection with the world. Many of McCracken’s recommendations are for increased physical engagement (such as reading a hard copy of the bible, becoming active at one’s local church, or working to heal the “pollution of God’s natural creation”). The church is vital, he notes, because it’s a place to come together in real life and remind members they are “embodied people” as opposed to “just brains on sticks.” Nature, meanwhile, reminds humans of their position as part of God’s physical creation, and beauty engages the senses. Despite a few references to Covid-19, though, the lack of engagement with the challenges of coming together physically in a time of social distancing is glaring. Nevertheless, Christians struggling with media overload will find help in this simple rubric.