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A Word of knowledge is the gift of knowledge given to a Christian through the work of the Holy Spirit . This sort of teaching is popular amongst Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians. The message is given to the Christian via specific verses in the Bible, or through dreams and visions, or through an immediate realization and understanding. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The term "Word of Knowledge" is used among charismatic and pentecostal Christian groups to describe events that would be considered "psychic" in other schools of thought. For example, a Christian knowing detailed information about a stranger is considered a "Word of Knowledge" and supposedly allows the Christian to minister to strangers more effectively. Someone considered an "empath" in modern science fiction circles might have the same skills as a Christian with the spiritual gift of the "Word of Knowledge". The only difference is that Christians explain the strange occurrence as coming from God, while other religions might describe it as coming from a different god, pagans and FreeMasons might call it psychic, and Sci-fi junkies might call it the operation of the dead zone of the brain (the 80% of the brain that is not used by humans). Among scientists, most deny the existence of these type of human abilities without ever having applied the scientific method to find evidence for or against these claims. THEOLOGICAL RATIONALE Christians, particularly those who hold to Pentecostal and Charismatic beliefs, believe strongly in the idea of an Immanent God - that God is present and deals intimately with the individual as they live their life. The experience of this immanence is varied, but is usually Subjective . Thus an individual Christian has access to God's guidance whenever they come into his presence and pray. Naturally, some times are more immediate and clearer than others - having an experience during a Church Worship service is more likely than having an experience while cutting one's toenails. What this shows is that the context for the experience is important - that when a Christian is focused upon God and serving Him, then God will be close to the Christian and act to guide. The belief that God can reveal His will directly through a subjective experience is validated by selected stories in the Bible. Biblical figures such as King David, Samuel, the Prophet Isaiah, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul, all show that God is both willing and able to speak to people clearly and unambiguously. The receipt of a ''Word of Knowledge'' therefore, is no different to what has occurred before both throughout the stories in the Bible and the experience of the Church since Pentecost. Opponents, however, point out that "description does not equal prescription" - the fact that God chose to deal directly with certain individuals in the Bible is not grounds to automatically believe that such a process is normative in the Christian life. The fact that there is no clear and explicit passage that teaches the understanding of ''Words of Knowledge'' in both Testaments is also evidence that opponents use to critique the belief. Many opponents believe that Scripture (the Bible) thoroughly equips the Christian for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17) which appears to back up the belief that Scripture and Scripture only is sufficient for the Christian to be guided by God - and then only in general terms rather than in specific guidance. The term '''Word of Knowledge'' has its direct basis in 1 Corinthians 12:8 :'' To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit'' (NIV) :'' For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom; to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit;'' (King James Version) Proponents of this belief argue that this verse is the basis of their belief, and thus fits in with Biblical teaching about God's guidance. Opponents, however, would argue that the particular verse could be referring to the ability to understand completely a particular issue, since that is what the Greek word Ginosko actually refers to. Opponents would argue then, that God has given some people the gift of knowing things - rather than a specific revelation about that person's life or ministry. EXTERNAL LINKS
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