Artist Statement: In every culture for thousands of years owls have been recognized as creatures that are tied to the spirit world. While many traditions and cultures feared them for their ties to darkness and death, they were also praised and celebrated for their spiritual sight and deep wisdom, and it is with this meaning that the owl has sometimes been shown accompanying St. Jerome.
There are several instances in the New Testament where Jesus is identified in some way with Wisdom. 1 Corinthians Chapter 24 is considered an explicit statement to that effect since Paul refers to Jesus as “Wisdom of God.” In verse 24 we read “but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” And in verse 30 Paul says, “because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
Wisdom (sophia) is in its absolute sense an attribute of God. Total wisdom and knowledge belong to God alone. To declare Christ to be “the wisdom of God” is to declare Him to be in Himself God, the second person of the Godhead, and God incarnate.
