Defining Terms"Epistemology" is a philosophical term etymologically
derived from three Greek words: (1) epi meaning "upon" or
"on"; (2) histemi meaning "to stand"; (3) logos meaning
"word," and indicating "logical consideration of or study
of." The Greek word epistamai referred to the process of
acquiring knowledge and understanding, as well as the
significance of such information. Epistemology refers to
the considerations of what we stand upon for our
understanding. How do we know what we know? Why do
we believe what we believe? Where do we take our stand
concerning the opinions that we claim to believe and to
know? These are the considerations of epistemology.
The New Testament contains several usages of the
Greek word epistamai. A couple of examples should
suffice to document such.
In the "faith chapter" of Hebrews 11, the writer explains
that "by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by
going out..., not knowing (epistamenos) where he was
going" (Heb. 11:8). Abraham did not have the logistics, the
chronology, the itinerary of his journey all logically
established. The details of his sojourn were not