The Proverbs 31 Polymath: Your Guide to Christian Femininity

As women, we are always looking for ways to better navigate life’s challenges, and as Christian women we look to do this while staying firmly rooted in our faith. My desire to delve deeper into the how led me to a book called, The Polymath, written by Waqas Ahmed, a Muslim writer. Waqas challenges what he sees as the limitations of our education systems. He believes that individuals are indoctrinated into thinking that one must acquire expertise in a particular area to the exception of all else. He discusses the concept of “narrow-minded” (Ahmed, 2019 p.8) specialisation, “the process of concentrating on and becoming expert in a particular subject or skill” (Oxford dictionary) and its ubiquitous application in education at all levels. He believes this approach often came at the expense of encouraging multifaceted potential and understanding (Ahmed, 2019). Certainly, the idea of specialisation seems reasonable on the face of it. We are overwhelmed with the amount of information and knowledge available to us that it would seem rational to specialise. Yet, Ahmed boldly claims that “we’ve been sold a myth”, and that specialism as utilised today “is nothing more than a... system that fosters ignorance... disillusionment and thwarts creativity” (Ahmed, 2019 p. 14).  Intrigued, I sought to understand whether this idea of specialisation had impacted my own approach to life and whether it had negatively affected the idea of the ideal Christian woman in society. I then wanted to understand whether taking a multifaceted approach to learning and life would have better prepared me for my walk with the Lord as an aspiring wife and mother. According to Ahmed, polymathy is: "a type of mind and approach that is far more substantial and holistic" (Ahmed, 2019 p. 13). He further defines it as the mastery in and connection of seemingly unrelated fields of study (Ahmed, 2019). In my opinion, this approach expressed a more sound methodology to life than what our current education system had offered me. However, was Ahmed’s thesis a new unheard of idea, or was it in fact how mankind was designed to take on and utilise knowledge? What did scripture have to say about the subject, and specifically, does it coincide with the ideal Christian woman as laid out in Proverbs 31?

Polymathy

Waqas Ahmed proffers a new, or rather a return to, a traditional method of education. A way of learning that preceded the ideas of Rene Descartes, a postmodernist philosopher, and proponent of the intellectual specialisation approach (Ahmed, 2019). Polymathy was rather an approach pioneered by prominent historical figures such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Isaac Newton. Christian intellectual notables of their time, they believed “that in their scientific work they were uncovering the deeper handiwork of the Creator” (Byl, 2004 p.37)  and who each excelled in “multiple seemingly unrelated fields” (Ahmed, 2019 p.13). Although we may not all wish to become physicists and astronomers, we can, however, learn from their approach to scholarship. “Some of the most influential... have been those who understood the physical world as deeply as the metaphysical… [have] pursued theology… [and have] a holistic approach to life and thought... seeing the world as interconnected and emanating from the same source” (Ahmed, 2019 p.56). We can learn from Christian intellectuals like Copernicus and Newton, that an interdisciplinary multifaceted approach to learning, is the most efficient and effective way to approach education and better prepare us for life as Christians, women, wives and mothers. 

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 is the portrait of what every Christian woman aspires to be: the virtuous woman. The woman who “excellest them all” (Proverbs 31:29). Written by king Solomon, the verses give a detailed account of this woman and exactly why she is favoured by the Lord.

The woman in Proverbs 31 always sets Christ before her. This we see from her conduct and how she is perceived by her family and house-hold. Interestingly, she is what Waqas would describe as a polymath. A woman who adopts an interdisciplinary approach to her life, educating herself and using that knowledge to engage in various activities for the betterment of herself, her family and house-hold. We are told she acquires fabric, which she uses to craft. Her crafting is referred to five separate times in the passage. Each time, her craft is described more technically “...she maketh herself coverings of tapestry....” (Proverbs 31:22) indicating she is acquiring expertise in the subject over time.  We are told she influences a great number of people. This implies that she was respected for her skill and expertise. A skill she eventually monetises- “she maketh fine linen, and selleth it” (Proverbs 31:24). She works hard to understand her market because we are told she did not eat “...the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27). We appreciate her expertise in international trade because she “bringeth her food from afar” (Proverbs 31:14). We know she is a savvy diplomat because “she openeth her mouth with wisdom” (Proverbs 31:26).  We see her strategic planning skills, her knowledge of the food supply, her negotiation skills. Through the multifaceted education and interdisciplinary approach she adopts, we see her mature, her confidence grow and her life flourish: “her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night” (Proverbs 31:18). Having amassed prominence and influence, she proceeds to engage in philanthropy, giving to the needy. The passage ends with the centre point of all Christian women, the Lord, who has bestowed her with the capacity to nurture, build and flourish.

Looking more closely at her accomplishments, – the purchasing of a vineyard, learning about the food industry, educating herself in international trade and diplomacy, running a clothing business- it is clear she seeks to pursue mastery in multiple trades. We see a woman acquiring knowledge in various subjects and using that knowledge to support her family and community. As a result of her efforts, we see her blessed with resilience against the difficulties of life as alluded to in verses 21 and 25; from this we gather that her expertise, in various subject matters, enables her to weather any storms that might come. For her influence in her family’s life as described in verse 11 and 28, and her influence in her community as described in verse 31, her children call her blessed (Proverbs 31:28). Her good reputation in society precedes her (Proverbs 31:31), and ultimately, she is blessed with wisdom by the Lord (Proverbs 31:26). One thing I noted about the verses in Proverbs 31 is that the woman’s physical beauty is not mentioned, but of course she is beautiful. You know she is. The implication is that her inner grace shines externally making her physically beautiful (Proverbs 31:25). 

To summarise, am I arguing that Christian women should become food connoisseurs, experts on international trade and the state of global food supply and train as diplomats? The woman’s role as nurturer, teacher and ambassador in the home requires a multifaceted approach, and to better prepare, young women should adopt an attitude of continuous learning and be aware of how society is shaping and influencing us so that we can stand firm in who we are. 

Reference List

Ahmed, W. (2019). The polymath : unlocking the power of human versatility. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

Byl, J. (2004). The divine challenge : on matter, mind, math, and meaning. Edinburgh Scotland ; Carlisle, Pa.: Banner Of Truth Trust.