Walking the Way of the Wise:
A Biblical Theology of Wisdom
DETAILS: Series: Essential Studies in Biblical Theology Publisher: IVP Academic Publication Date: June 3, 2025 Format: Paperback Length: 162 pg, Read Date: June 15-22, 2025
Wisdom in the biblical sense is more than street smarts. It is more than cleverness on a particular field, Biblical wisdom is the result of living in glad submission to God’s Word in God’s world. Biblical wisdom is believing what God has revealed and seeking to live in light of it.
What’s Walking the Way of the Wise About?
This is an attempt to show a biblical theology of wisdom—focusing on how the various genres “showcase” or tell (as well as show) an understanding of the concept.
This will incorporate various elements of the revelation throughout Scripture, showing how they contribute to an understanding along a salvation-historical trajectory.
It’ll be easier to let Chase describe this:
Chapter 1 roots us in the early chapters of Scripture, where the seeds—and even a tree—of wisdom are found. Chapter 2 discusses the story and person of Job, since I think his life was very early in biblical history. With chapters 3 and 4, we follow the stories and steps of Abraham and his descendants—the Israelites. In chapter 5 we see the rise of David and we hear his songs, his psalms. The shadow of Solomon looms over chapters 6,7, and 8, as we reflect on his life and on the books of Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes. Our exploration of wisdom in the Old Testament concludes with chapter 9, where we follow the Israelites into exile, which is where folly takes its disciples. Chapter 10 directs our attention to the incarnation and ministry of Jesus, the true and greater Solomon. In chapter 11 we consider the importance of walking wisely as Christ’s people, for the days are evil. And finally, in chapter 12, we cast our eyes toward the end of the wise road—the way that leads to life and blessing, the life we were made and saved for.
This salvation-historical trajectory will help us situate Scriptures teaching about wisdom in light of the big story of Scripture itself. With a canonical perspective on wisdom, we will see the various ways that the biblical authors instruct us about this topic. And we will more fully appreciate how they summon us to join the blessed and joyful saints who are walking the way of the wise.
Proverbs/Ecclesiastes
An interpretive danger to avoid when reading through Proverbs expecting earthly fulfillment of these promises in an absolutizing sense, as if life were not complicated and inexplicable things did not happen. Do the righteous not suffer? Do the wicked not sometimes prosper? Do people who walk with integrity not still face obstacles? Do the wise not sometimes die young? Do the wicked sometimes not seem to get away with their schemes and escape consequences? Consider the earthly ministry of Jesus. The wicked came against him with conspiracy and intrigue. He, the holy and righteous one, was killed. His vindication occurred through his bodily resurrection—a kind of resurrection that comprises our hope when Jesus returns.
We can affirm two things: the book of Proverbs is true, and life is complicated. The proverbs are statements about how life typically works.
The book of Ecclesiastes does not exactly feel like a warm hug. It is more like a splash of cold water to the face. But if you are being lulled to sleep when you need to be alert and sober-minded, a splash of cold water can be a pift, a lifesaver.
If we are going to be wise, we have to welcome uncomfortable truths, We have to be willing to sit with difficult realities, such as unanswered questions, the futility of work, and the inevitability of death. One manifestation of folly is the resistance to dealing with reality. Foolishness does not want to acknowledge the way things are. So, when the writer is helping readers grow wise, he gives a heavy dose of what life is like in a fallen world.
It’s probably cheating to find some of the best material in this book to be from Chase’s discussion of the OT Wisdom Books, but it’s also not surprising that he’d be able to get much of his material from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (as well as other books in the genre).
Many people—including people I typically think of as worth paying attention to, will take Proverbs and apply it without nuance or real understanding of life being complicated. This not only does a disservice to the reality we all see every day, but it also fails to understand the book properly. Obviously, in the few pages Chase can give to the book, we’re not going to be able to get a full understanding of the book—or of what it tells us about wisdom/wise living. That said, what he does help the reader to understand will help the reader to tackle the book on their own—at least to know better than trying to see the book as a straightforward look at life.
The same can be said for Ecclesiastes—not that nearly as many people will try to take a reductionistic approach to the book—and those who do will typically see it as a dark, mysterious, and maybe cynical/hopeless look at the world. Chase shows that the answer is not as simple as that.
Other Highlights
I truly appreciated the way he discussed the whole of Job—obviously not in a lot of depth, he only had 11 pages for it. But he starts off by showing that the book is not just about Job’s suffering in faith—but that the crux of the book is a discussion of wisdom and its source being God.
Another highlight for me was seeing the Pentateuch—particularly Deuteronomy—serving as the background for so much of the book of Proverbs. It’s easy to see the book as a semi-random collection of couplets and droplets of good advice. But if you see it as the work of a father carrying out the instructions in Deuteronomy to explain and apply the Pentateuch to his children (for example, but not limited to that)—it takes on a new life and vitality.
But the biggest highlight for me—and there were many—is Chapter Eleven, “Walking Wisely in Evil Days.” This chapter covers the Christian Life (essentially), drawing on the Pauline and General Epistles. The second section of that chapter, “Growing in Wisdom in Christ,” contains the best two pages of the book. Obviously, you need more of the book to get everything he’s saying there—but if you only read two pages of the book, those should be it.
So, what did I think about Walking the Way of the Wise?
Wisdom is not merely hearing. Wisdom is hearing with a readiness to obey. The Lord lavs out a myriad of commands while the nation gathers at the base of Mount Sinai, and the wise response is the embrace of and submission to these commands. There is a relationship between wisdom and God’s law. God’s commands are for the good of his people as he directs them in true worship and holy living. Wisdom, like God’s laws, is for our good. Wisdom orients our lives toward God and neighbor in ways that are honorable. While it may be too simplistic to say that God’s laws and wisdom are identical, we can certainly affirm that God’s laws are an example of wisdom. His laws are wise and direct his people wisely.
I’m glad to see this series back, with a new editor* and second-phase in its focus. If nothing else, both of those promise more volumes to come—and they’ll likely to be as valuable as their initial counterparts.
It’s frequently the case, but it seems to be more the case with this book than usual. The footnotes could serve as a TBR for several months’ reading. I’ve added a few books to my list (and could’ve easily doubled that number).
I personally benefited from Chase’s definition of “wisdom” and how to find it in Scripture. I really appreciated his unwillingness to make Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and James the epicenter of his discussion, but to look for it throughout the Scriptures (see above). Tackling the topic of wisdom from a Redemptive Historical point of view rather than a Systematic perspective (which is what I’m used to, as I expect most are), really helped me to see the breadth of it—and even to help with my Systematic understanding of it (as it should).
All in all, this is a truly helpful and insightful read, and I commend it to you.
* I have no complaints about Dr. Gladd’s time on the series, was just noting the new general editor.
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My Favorite Theology/Christian Living Books of 2025
By HCNewton
On January 11, 2026
In News/Misc., Theology/Christian Living
It’s finally time to wrap these lists, with my favorites in Theology and Christian Living (and related things). There’s some overlap in some of these titles, which just shows what kinds of things I was thinking about this year, I guess. I didn’t read as many books along these lines as I expected to/usually do–mostly because the ones I did read took some work to get through (and I had too many “project reads”). But these would’ve floated to the top in any year.
As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.
(in alphabetical order by author)
by Michael P. V. Barrett
Barrett writes brief devotional meditations on some Old Testament passages (I’m not sure how brief because I read electronically, but they didn’t take terribly long to read). Which is good enough for a book–but Barrett writes with a depth that I don’t think I’ve come across in a devotional before. He gets to the heart and the nitty-gritty of the passages he looks at–and writes in a way that the reader will find application for their life, understanding of the passage, and a new/renewed reason to worship and serve the One who bought them.
The only thing that impressed me–almost every week–as much as the content was Barret’s ability to accomplish it so briefly.
by Mitchell L. Chase
My original post
I personally benefited from Chase’s definition of “wisdom” and how to find it in Scripture. I really appreciated his unwillingness to make Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and James the epicenter of his discussion, but to look for it throughout the Scriptures (see above). Tackling the topic of wisdom from a Redemptive Historical point of view rather than a Systematic perspective (which is what I’m used to, as I expect most are), really helped me to see the breadth of it—and even to help with my Systematic understanding of it (as it should).
All in all, this is a truly helpful and insightful read.
Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward
by Malcolm Foley
I’ve tried on at least four occasions to write a post about this book, and keep failing. I’m going to keep trying, but in the meantime, I’ll just say that this is one of the best books I read in 2025 regardless of genre/topic. Foley starts with Ida Wells’ point tying racism to money, and expands on that. He traces the connection between the love of money (which we know to be the root of all sorts of evil) and racism/racism-friendly policies and attitudes throughout U.S. History–particularly after the Civil War. And how the Church, to her shame, participates in those.
Then he points the way forward–using a variety of theological tools. Including the Westminster Larger Catechism’s teaching on the Eighth Commandment. It’s inspiring, it’s convicting, it’s full of hope.
by Carmen Joy Imes
My original post
Is this the most rigorous, robust work that I’ve ever read on The Church? No. Is this the most technical, theological work I’ve come across? No. Did this take a lot of effort to get through? No (and what a relief). Is this perhaps the most passionate work on the subject I’ve read? Yes. Is it perhaps the most persuasive about the need for individual believers (particularly in an individualist culture) to be involved with the Church? Also, yes.
It’s warm, it’s approachable, it’s learned in a non-off-putting way. Imes is a great guide through the topic and a fun companion through the stroll. She pointed out some things I hadn’t thought of before—and helped me grasp a couple of texts that I’ve struggled with for years.
by C. S. Lewis
There’s a lot of this book that I disagree with–but I appreciate the way that Lewis got to his conclusions. I also admit that Lewis might be closer to right than I am on those points. But the opening letter on prayer is one of the best things I’ve read on the topic, and while the rest of the book doesn’t reach those heights, I truly enjoyed and benefited from considering them. This is one of those books by him I hadn’t gotten around to reading in the past until my little Lewis-immersion project last year. It won’t be the last time.
by Zacharias Ursinus
As this is written by one of the chief authors of the Heidelberg Catechism, it’s impossible to get a more authoritative take on it. This is essentially the director’s cut of the catechism. Sure, we all know the answers, but how’d you get to that answer? Well, you think like so….
This is a treasure for anyone trying to understand and use the Heidelberg Catechism for personal use or for trying to raise the generation to follow.
by Drew Poplin
My original post
I hate the fact that books decrying the sin (or, in Poplin’s argument, heresy) of racism need to be written now. But the need for them is pretty clear to anyone in the American Church. This brief (perhaps too brief) book is a compelling read, calling racism what it is, an attack on God and His creation. Convicting, and hopefully convincing. It’s well worth the time to read.
by O. Palmer Robertson
Did this floor me as much as the first volume of this set (on the Gospels) did? Nope. But am I going to study Acts or Paul’s letters without consulting this in the future? Bigger nope. Robertson first traces the development of revelation and the Church’s understanding of it through Acts, then he spends the bulk of the book watching Paul’s themes develop and change over the course of his career–never contradictory, never inconsistent, but starting with certain emphases that develop into new ones given the events of his life and the needs of the Church throughout the First Century. It’s really a handy book to work through and to keep on hand for future use.
by Mikel Del Rosario
My original post
Del Rosario’s approach to the subject alone could put him on this list–let’s take an in-depth look at two passages and see what Jesus is claiming for himself in both. Let’s consider what the original audience heard–and seek to understand that by the way they reacted. Then let’s consider the implications of both. Del Rosario writes clearly and compellingly. The text—even when it gets technical—is straightforward and approachable by people who aren’t historical scholars.
Not only does reading this help buttress the confidence a reader has in the passage and Jesus’ claims in them, but Del Rosario gives his readers a model to follow when they come across similar passages.
by Cornelius Van Til
My original post
This is some pretty clear writing from a man widely considered not to be terribly clear all the time. Some of the commandments don’t get the same level of attention as others–and it makes sense given who Van Til is and his own driving focus.
It’s a very sound introduction, in line with the bulk of the Reformed stream of thought on the Law and its usage from the time of the Reformation forward. But a little more approachable given the length and the fact it was written in the 20th Century.