ABSTRACT:

This reflection centers on the ACRL Framework’s principle that “Authority is Contextual,” emphasizing how the authority of information depends on the specific context and information need. It highlights the challenge of personal biases in research that may skew perceptions of authority and calls for faithful librarians to discern appropriate authorities with humility and prudence. Drawing on Abraham Kuyper’s sphere sovereignty concept, it explains that different contexts require different levels and kinds of authority, always under the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ and Scripture. The piece contrasts intellectual lust with studiousness, urging librarians to critically evaluate sources and guide patrons towards genuine knowledge, avoiding epistemological errors in diverse research contexts.

FULL ENTRY:

How do you use authorities to prove you are right? I just finished discussing the connection between worship styles and church growth with a colleague. My colleague vehemently argued that any kind of connection was fallacious, but I had this conviction that there must be some kind of connection. So, what did I do? I began researching the topic. Before I continue this example, some red flags should be going off in the minds of faithful librarians regarding my context. While a conviction is not bad (and may even have a factual warrant), my context, which is that I already have a firm conviction regarding this topic, is likely driving my research to some degree. I often find myself drawn into a state of “insatiable curiosity”—a disposition that William of Baskerville, the Franciscan friar in Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose (1983), warns may easily lead to corruption (p. 413). In this kind of context, “research” easily becomes one-sided. My insatiable curiosity to demonstrate a connection between worship styles and church growth leads me to selectively search databases and the internet for resources that reinforce my existing views. This repeated pattern reveals how personal conviction can skew one’s perception of authority within a given context. I note this example not to decry this component of the ACRL Framework, but simply to illustrate how easily specific contexts can foster information lust, which often leads to disregarding authority. Faithful librarians must critically consider the role of authority in research, always recognizing the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ and Scripture as the foundational norm. In this scenario, embracing the authority of Jesus and Scripture would lead me to acknowledge my own context (as a redeemed sinner), which would spur humility, leading me to recognize that my colleague’s point has strengths and my own understanding has weaknesses.

In our previous discussion of information literacy, I stated, “information literacy entails enabling patrons to avoid first-order epistemological errors (not listening to trusted authorities or listening to ‘authorities’ who should not be trusted) and guiding patrons to truth, which leads the patron away from deception and lies. This is a critical ministerial task for faithful librarians because lies are a form of self-deception, distort reality, break trust, and separate individuals from authentic relationships with God and others.” This idea leaves several questions, such as: “How is anyone supposed to distinguish between knowledge and first-order epistemological errors?” As discussed in the previous entry, the answer to this, at least in part, stems from the issue of seeking guidance: turning to authorities relevant to the area of pursuit (Johnson, 2014, p. 208). How do we know who has the authority to provide guidance and speak the truth? How do we know which voices are authoritative and which are not? One of the frames in the ACRL Framework speaks to this concern when it states that “Authority is Constructed and Contextual.” In previous entries, I discussed how our understanding of epistemology influences our understanding of information literacy and the role of authority in epistemology. In other words, how we understand and apply the concept of authority influences our perception of knowledge, which in turn affects how we comprehend and practice information literacy. This entry aims to examine and critique the contextual nature of authority, as suggested by the Framework, through a biblical-theological overview of the concept of authority, particularly in the context of covenant epistemology. A previous entry looked at the first part of the Framework‘s statement on authority: its assumed constructal nature.

The ACRL Framework (2016) notes that authority is contextual “in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required” (para. 9). What is context? Context is a fairly broad concept, but for the Framework, the idea of context addresses the scenario that drives the research. For example, when I conduct research related to a blog entry, I want to confirm that I have reflected on and faithfully applied the works of scholars (individuals who are respected in their fields). There are several measures I use to determine whether or not I consider a scholar’s work authoritative (was the work published/peer reviewed, the date of the work, the reputation of the scholar, etc.) By contrast, a different context—such as choosing a place to eat with a friend—leads me to weigh authority differently. In the second context, a 4-star rating on Google will suffice for me to choose a restaurant. Whereas, the first context requires a more robust authority because intention, motivation, purpose, end result, and many more components differ. In other words, contexts differ, and subsequently, as the Framework notes, the level of authority I seek in the information I pursue will differ.

As faithful librarians, it is essential to acknowledge that our own sinfulness impacts the context that drives our need for information. For example, it would be easy for what we may see as an information “need” to actually be a lust for information. What is information lust? Douglas Groothius (2011) articulates this well by contrasting studiousness with curiosity or intellectual lust. “Curiosity,” Groothius (2011) notes, “may be no more than lust for what we need not know (or should not know), and it may be driven by ulterior motives, such as vanity, pride, or restlessness. Curiosity is not intrinsically good because it can lead to gossip, violations of privacy (snooping), and wasted time and effort—as represented by the content of any issue of People magazine. In other words, curiosity can be a vice, despite the fact that it is a principal passion (or lust) of contemporary Western culture” (loc. 1536). In contrast to this, Groothius (2011) notes that studiousness “earnestly inquires after what ought to be known in ways fitting the subject matter. Studiousness sniffs out its own areas of ignorance and pursues knowledge prudently, patiently, and humbly—not resting until what needs to be known has been pursued to its end. Thus, we labor to avoid both gullibility (holding too many false beliefs) and extreme skepticism (missing out on too many true beliefs)” (Groothius, 2011, loc. 1536).

Similarly, in Umberto Eco’s (1983) novel, The Name of the Rose, William of Baskerville, a fictional Franciscan friar, describes one of the monks, Benno, as a victim of great lust because “(l)ike many scholars, he has a lust for knowledge” (p. 413). In this dialog, William of Baskerville expands on what a lust for knowledge entails, stating that it is “(k)nowledge for its own sake,” “insatiable curiosity,” which often corrupts good and noble ends (Eco, 1983, p. 413). Benno, the monk from Eco’s (1983) novel, embodied many characteristics with which I am quite familiar: curiosity, an eagerness to learn, and a desire for what I write (including this blog) to be read widely. Because of these, I see the value of intellectual rigor and thoughtful study. Yet the Franciscan friar, William of Baskerville, says these desires were “insatiable,” resulting in “intellectual pride” (Eco, 1983, p. 413) rather than resulting in the edification of the body of Christ. Benno’s pursuit of knowledge for its own sake demonstrates an insatiable thirst for information. Such a research approach is “sterile and has nothing to do with love” (Eco, 1983, p. 413). Because the Framework notes that the specific context creating the need for information plays a critical role concerning authority, faithful librarians must practice studiousness to ensure that the context in which they seek authoritative work bears no similarities to Benno’s intellectual lust and skews their perception of authority (cf. Eco, 1983, p. 413).

Abraham Kuyper’s concept of sphere sovereignty may provide further insight regarding how a faithful librarian should understand the Framework‘s idea of context. Kuyper argues that different contexts, such as family, church, professional, and educational settings, have distinct responsibilities and authority (Kuyper, 1998, p. 467). For example, the kind of authority I have in my church when I am running audio-visual does not have a direct bearing on the authority I have when teaching a one-shot library instruction session. These two spheres are distinct, and each has its own particular authority (sovereignty). We would likely laugh at the idea that the authority I have to control what people hear and see when I volunteer to do audio-visual at my church carries over to the authority I have to teach information literacy in higher education, and rightly so. From establishing this premise, Kuyper argues that no single sphere should dominate the others. Similar to what the Framework states, these two domains (audio-visual in a church and teaching information literacy) must be separated. However, Kuyper (1988) takes this one step further: even though these spheres must operate independently, they are all under God’s ultimate authority (p. 468).

It should also be noted that, while Kuyper’s sphere sovereignty implies differentiation of spheres, he acknowledges that contexts can overlap. For example, while the two spheres of one-shot instruction and doing sound at a church are distinct, the content I teach in the one-shot session (information literacy) may have some bearing on how I run audio-visual at my church. In a one-shot session, I teach students how to find authoritative sources. Similarly, when I troubleshoot an audio issue during a church service, I acknowledge my context (that I am running a Behringer sound board) and turn to the Behringer YouTube channel rather than browsing the web randomly. Kuyper’s principle of sphere sovereignty maintains that each sphere has autonomous authority over its proper domain. Yet, this autonomy does not preclude the possibility that knowledge, wisdom, or practices from one sphere may inform or enrich another, so long as the distinctive responsibilities and boundaries of each are respected.

The Framework further states that context also plays a role in determining the level of authority needed (Association of College and Research Libraries [ACRL], 2016, para. 9). I work in Christian higher education. As mentioned earlier, my responsibilities include providing one-shot information literacy sessions to freshmen in college writing courses. In this context, I am often asked about Wikipedia. Although those asking these questions use different verbiage, a question is often asked regarding Wikipedia’s authority: “Can I use Wikipedia in my research endeavors?” One of the challenges that college freshmen face with research projects is that they often pursue topics about which they have little background knowledge. They may have personal experiences related to their topic or have read a magazine article about it, but they have rarely examined it in depth. In such a context, can Wikipedia be seen as authoritative? Understanding the nature of Wikipedia, its purposes, and how to utilize it effectively (i.e., understanding its sphere) can help one assess whether their use of the tool aligns with its authority (or, to use Kuyper’s phrase, its sovereignty). By asking this question, I am not implying that Wikipedia should be considered an authority on a topic for a student working on a Ph.D. dissertation; authority has a contextual nature, and different spheres require different authorities. However, for many in the sphere of exploring a new topic or investigating a field of interest for the first time, Wikipedia, when its purposes and limitations are understood, can be seen as an authority in that context, in its sphere of influence (i.e., its sphere of sovereignty).

In a class I taught recently, a freshman student in College Writing wanted to explore the negative and positive impacts of body image. In other words, how does our view of our own physical body impact us? This topic is significant, and this student knew little about it before expressing interest. Subsequently, I pointed them to Wikipedia as a great place to start. In this context, the information on Wikipedia could be seen as an authoritative source because the students’ knowledge of the topic is limited. However, the context is multi-dimensional, involving the researcher’s prior knowledge, the task at hand, and the broader theological framework informing interpretation. As a faithful librarian embracing the dual aspect of Kuyper’s sphere sovereignty, I not only need to look at the context of the patron whom I aim to assist (and their respective knowledge base), but I must ask, “How does the context of my faith in Jesus Christ impact my understanding of body image?”

Another of Abraham Kuyper’s (1998) statements is a good place to start when he stated, “(t)here is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” (p. 461). In other words, Christ is sovereign over all domains, or to use the language of the Framework, all contexts. While the information needed may drive the level of authority required, this does not imply that Christ’s rule in the content of Wikipedia should be considered any less than his dominion in the content of a scholarly, peer-reviewed article. Christ is the norma normans non normata, an authority that exercises control over all the other authorities and all contexts (cf. Shatzer, 2023, p. 18). Per Kuyper’s language, Jesus Christ’s response to Wikipedia is “Mine!” Because Jesus Christ is Lord over all domains, research contexts are multi-dimensional. Therefore, when one questions whether a resource is authoritative, one must consider the task assigned (the context for which the research is being conducted), one’s own knowledge of the topic (one’s personal context), and the context of God’s revelation.

One might argue that, since I am not an authority on body image, I should avoid reconciling Wikipedia’s content on the topic with biblical and theological insights. However, I believe God has given us many tools (such as conscience, conviction, and access to various resources, including Scripture) that play critical roles in forming our understanding of topics like these. Using these tools would include acknowledging the authority of theological inferences, such as the premise that humanity is created in God’s image, which influences how faithful librarians perceive themselves and their physical bodies. In such a context, I am seeking works to guide my convictions and life; subsequently, I would not consider a YouTube video by MTV a credible authority on body image, given its focus and values. I may instead turn to Sam Alberry’s book, What God Has to Say about Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for Our Physical Selves. A work like this may be insightful. It should be remembered that Alberry’s work does not necessarily carry more authority than that of a secular scholar; however, I can assume that it carries more weight than a YouTube video by MTV, given the doubts that MTV will provide a scholarly perspective on the issue of body image. However, Alberry’s distinction is that he aims to base his work on Scripture (the norma normans non normata). In this context, Alberry may have the authority to offer insight on the topic. Honestly, after spending only a few minutes perusing works of this nature, I chose Alberry’s work because it is published by Crossway, a reputable publisher in theology and biblical studies (in other words, again, when it comes to authority, context matters).

I began this entry by noting that to practice information literacy, we must be able to distinguish between knowledge and first-order epistemological errors, such as failing to listen to trusted authorities or relying on “authorities” who should not be trusted. This raises the question: “How do we know whom to trust?” The answer lies, at least partly, in understanding authority, and the ACRL (2016) Framework notes that “Authority is Constructed and Contextual.” While faithful librarians may initially feel squeamish about this idea, the content above and in the previous blog demonstrates that, to a certain extent, authority is both constructed and contextual. However, perhaps the reason faithful librarians are hesitant to embrace this part of the Framework is that, as some have noted, the idea that authority is both constructed and contextual is self-contradictory when the statement claims to be a universal truth about authority (Rinne, 2016, pp. 221-222). Perhaps faithful librarians, recognizing Abraham Kuyper’s (1988) sphere sovereignty, should acknowledge that authority is constructed and contextual in light of the ultimate authority—God’s revelation. In this context, faithful librarians can potentially embrace this aspect of the Framework, understanding authority’s critical role in learning, growth, and preventing epistemological errors while embracing Jesus Christ and Scripture, the norma normans non normata, the pinnacles of authority. In a recent blog entry, Jonathan Leeman (2025) eloquently summarized this when he stated: “(a)uthority and submission are beautiful things when done under God” (para. 8).

References

Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (2016). Framework for information literacy for higher education. https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.

Eco, Umberto (1983). The name of the rose. HarperVia.

Groothuis, D. R. (2011). Christian apologetics: A comprehensive case for biblical faith. IVP Academic.

Johnson, D. (2014). Biblical knowing: A scriptural epistemology of error. James Clarke & Co.

Kuyper, A. (1998). Abraham Kuyper: A centennial reader. Eerdmans.

Leeman, J. (2025, January 31). Why do Christians care so much about authority? Crossway. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-do-christians-care-so-much-about-submission-to-authority/

Meek, E. L. (2011). Loving to know: Introducing covenant epistemology. Cascade Books.

Rinne, N. (2016). Is authority always constructed and contextual? A classical challenge to the Framework for Information Literacy. The Christian Librarian, 59(2). https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl/vol59/iss2/6

Shatzer, J. (2023). Faithful learning: A vision for theologically integrated education. B&H Academic.

ABSTRACT:

In this entry, as a Christian librarian, I wrestle with what it means to navigate the idea that authority is not only constructed and contextual—as the ACRL Framework suggests—but also rooted in deeper biblical and theological realities. I reflect on how information literacy requires discernment about which authorities to trust and explore how covenant epistemology and Scripture shape my understanding of true authority. While I recognize that different communities construct and recognize authority in various ways, I argue that Jesus Christ and Scripture serve as the ultimate, non-constructed standards—norma normans non normata—against which all other authorities must be measured. This conviction leads me to approach research and information literacy with humility, acknowledging my limitations and seeking God’s wisdom while also being open to new perspectives and honoring the expertise of others. Ultimately, embracing Jesus and Scripture as the highest authority transforms my research practices and helps me guide others toward truth with humility and faithfulness.

FULL ENTRY:

If we embrace Meek’s (2011) idea that “knowledge is transformation, not mere information” (p. 6), and we agree that how we see knowledge impacts our understanding and practice of information literacy, how should this affect a faithful librarian’s perception of information literacy? Specifically, information literacy enables us to discern which authorities to trust, allowing faithful librarians to guide their patrons away from what Johnson (2014) refers to as “first-order epistemological errors” (p. 74). Johnson’s work suggests that authority is critical in epistemology, and subsequently, it is also an essential part of information literacy, which warrants its inclusion as one of the frames.

In our previous discussion of information literacy, I stated, “information literacy entails enabling patrons to avoid first-order epistemological errors (not listening to trusted authorities or listening to ‘authorities’ who should not be trusted) and guiding patrons to truth, which leads the patron away from deception and lies. This is a critical ministerial task for faithful librarians because lies are a form of self-deception, distort reality, break trust, and separate individuals from authentic relationships with God and others.” This idea leaves several questions, such as: “How is anyone supposed to distinguish between knowledge and first-order epistemological errors?” As discussed in the previous entry, the answer to this, at least in part, comes back to the issue of seeking guidance: turning to authority relevant to the area of pursuit (Johnson, 2014, p. 208). How do we know who has the authority to provide guidance and speak the truth? How do we know which voices are authoritative and which are not? One of the frames in the ACRL Framework speaks to this concern when it states that “Authority is Constructed and Contextual.” This entry aims to examine and critique the constructed nature of authority, as suggested by the Framework, through a biblical-theological overview of the concept of authority, particularly in the context of covenant epistemology. A future entry will look at the second aspect of the Framework‘s statement: the claim that authority is contextual.

Whether we like it or not, we are familiar with authority being both constructed and contextual. If I am driving and I see a red light at an upcoming intersection, I typically slow down and prepare to come to a stop because I understand the authority that the stop light represents (a result of what I have been taught and has subsequently been constructed in my understanding) and my context (that a costly and dangerous incident will likely arise if I refuse to stop). I also understand that contexts may arise where such an authority can be disregarded (although if other authority figures disagree with my actions, there may be repercussions). The idea of authority being constructed and contextual makes sense in this context. However, this leaves questions such as, “How does authority impact other contexts, such as when amid a challenging season of life, I turn to Psalm 23 and Romans 8 for comfort?” The comfort I may receive from such passages is based, at least partly, on my convictions regarding Jesus Christ and Scripture and their reliability as guides and subsequent authorities. Are the authorities of Scripture and Jesus also constructed and contextual? These examples leave questions hanging, such as: “How do I know what should be seen as authoritative and what should not?” and “Does authority only work if it aligns with my convictions?”

Previous discussions argued that how we see knowledge (epistemology) impacts information literacy and that covenant epistemology provides a way to see knowledge through a theological lens. These two discussions infer the possibility of offering a perspective of information literacy based on covenant epistemology. The frames of the Framework consist of key concepts that provide anchors to information literacy (Association of College and Research Libraries [ACRL], 2016, para. 2). Can covenant epistemology help us understand the frames of information literacy, in this case, authority, and its assumed constructed and contextual nature, as well?

This entry assumes a connection between our understanding of epistemology and authority, and many share this assumption. For example, in his works on a biblical framework of epistemology, Johnson notes that Scripture’s concept of knowledge involves authority: knowledge entails “listening to the trusted authorities and doing what they prescribe to see what they are showing you” (Johnson, 2015, loc. 481). Epistemological errors involve the opposite of this. They are either “first-order errors,” which involve not listening to trusted authorities, or listening to supposed authorities who should not be trusted in the first place (Johnson, 2014, p. 74). Alternatively, there are “second-order errors,” which entail supposedly “listening” to authority as one should but not actually doing as the authority instructs (Johnson, 2014, p. 74). But the question remains, how do we know what is authoritative? How do we know who or what should provide guidance?

Scripture offers counsel regarding how one should determine what or who is authoritative. In a passage known as the Great Commission, Jesus states: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18, ESV). In his work on authority, D. Martyn Lloyd Jones (1958) expands on this passage and states that “we assert Him (Jesus), we proclaim Him, we start with Him, because He is the ultimate and the final Authority. We start with the fact of Jesus Christ because He is really at the center of the whole of our position and the whole of our case rests upon Him” (p. 14).

If we accept Jesus Christ as our ultimate authority, we are also driven to accept the absolute divine authority of the Old Testament because the interactions of Jesus with it display how he accepted its authority (e.g., Matthew 5:17-20, Mark 12:24-27; Packer, 1981, p. 20). Likewise, if we accept the authority of Jesus, we also accept the authority of the New Testament, as Jesus conferred his own authority upon his disciples (Matthew 28:18; Luke 24:27), many of whom wrote New Testament books or had close affiliations with those who did (Packer, 1981, pp. 20-21). In other words, the authority of Jesus and the authority of Scripture, while distinct, are intertwined; you cannot accept one apart from acceptance of the other (Berkouwer, 1983, pp. 170-171).

In his book Faithful Learning, Jacob Shatzer (2023) provides some insight into the authority of Scripture when he states: “When we think about Scripture as a source, the Reformation provided us with a helpful phrase: norma normans non normata. This Latin term basically means that the Bible is the norm, or standard, that norms—or standardizes—our knowledge of God without itself being normed or standardized. The standard that standardizes cannot be standardized. The norma normans non normata, in other words, is the authority that exercises control over all the other authorities and itself never submits to those other authorities. Scripture regulates our reason. Scripture exercises authority over our view of tradition. And Scripture stands over, authorizes, and standardizes our experience of God” (p. 18). If Jesus and Scripture are key points to how faithful librarians view authority, these imply that revelation is key to authority (Ramm, 1957, p. 20).

While Jesus and Scripture are primary venues through which God reveals himself, does revelation stop with Jesus and Scripture? An earlier blog briefly defined general revelation, arguing that God reveals aspects of His nature and existence through the natural world (Bavinck, 2003, vol. 1, p. 307; Estes, 2019, pp. 50-51). Subsequently, some components of God’s revelation of himself through the natural world can be seen as authoritative. For example, how science works regarding combining chemical compounds is seen as authoritative. Granted, many times, it takes an expert in the discipline to describe the value of such a phenomenon, but if anybody disagreed with something like the combination of two atoms of hydrogen with an atom of oxygen creating water, one could simply return to the context of a lab, repeat this combination and show time and time again that two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom create water. This experiment and the chemical compound serve an authoritative role. While some may argue that this is a science experiment, not revelation, the creation of water from hydrogen and oxygen reflects aspects of God’s nature, such as unity in diversity and the life-giving nature of water. In other words, creating water by combining hydrogen and oxygen is a manifestation of general revelation and subsequently serves an authoritative function. Revelation is the key to authority, and Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of revelation (Lloyd-Jones, 1958, pp. 23-24).

Faithful librarians genuinely believe that Jesus Christ and Scripture are authorities. Does this mean that faithful librarians turn to Jesus when assessing whether or not a writer of an article bears the credentials to make their works authoritative? Do faithful librarians turn to Scripture when aiming to weigh the argument of a website? Maybe. In a context where a website’s argument directly contradicts Scripture, suggesting that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ never actually occurred, we can appeal directly to the authority of Scripture and claim that this argument is incorrect, thereby questioning the authority of the work that contains this error. But what about other contexts? As God’s means of making himself known includes both special and general revelation, there will be times when one can turn to general revelation as the authority through which truth is found. For example, if one claims that two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom combine to form carbon dioxide, I can appeal to general revelation to refute such a claim, compelling one to question the claim’s authority.

When the ACRL Framework (2016) notes that authority is constructed, it states that “various communities may recognize different types of authority” (para. 9). The role of community in authority aligns well with the strong social components embedded in covenant epistemology. In the context of writing this blog, I can cover various topics and draw on different types of authority, each with its own measures for assessing authority. For example, in an earlier part of this blog, I referenced the works of Bernard Ramm and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Their authority in theology and biblical studies would likely not extend to other domains, as differing communities have varying standards for authority. Therefore, Ramm and Lloyd-Jones would not likely be considered authoritative in the intellectual domains of the social sciences. Subsequently, I should not turn to the works of Bernard Ramm for authoritative insight on how to make a patron comfortable during a reference transaction. In this context, the concept of constructed authority makes sense.

Bernard Ramm (1957) notes a helpful distinction between acceptance and grounds of authority. Ramm (1957) argues that while authority is inherently personal, it also transcends individual perception, requiring recognition while maintaining objective grounds (pp. 13-16). In other words, just because something is authoritative does not automatically imply that this authority is recognized. In fact, an individual’s sinful nature frequently leads one to instantly reject something that God has established as authoritative (Romans 1:18-32). This should lead us to be cautious regarding the Framework’s (2016) view on authority, as it states that we should have an “attitude of informed skepticism” (para. 10). Such an attitude often reflects the trends of our sinful nature, which is to reject all authority. However, humility, fueled by a recognition of our sinful nature, should lead faithful librarians to cautiously embrace a component of the Framework (2016), which states that we should have “an openness to new perspectives, additional voices, and changes in schools of thought” (para. 10), assuming they align with the norma normans non normata (the non-constructed norms of Jesus Christ and Scripture).

In introducing this entry, I asked, “Are the authorities of Scripture and Jesus also constructed and contextual?” “How do I know what should be seen as authoritative and what should not?” and “Does authority only work if it aligns with my convictions?” Do questions like these imply that all authority is constructed? And how should a faithful librarian respond to constructed authority? Shatzer’s (2023) point regarding the norma normans non normata adds insight here. Jesus Christ and Scripture are the norms, or standards, that standardize all of our knowledge, including our knowledge of God, without themselves being normed or standardized. Yes, authority is constructed, but it rests upon the non-constructed norms of Scripture and Jesus Christ.

Let me provide an example. Many librarians are familiar with the works of Carol Kuhlthau. Her classic work, Seeking Meaning, has helped many librarians understand library instruction and information literacy. In one chapter of her work, she concludes in her summary by arguing that the help librarians provide should align with the patron’s stage of research (Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 68). Is this proposition authoritative? Does it align with the content that my communities see as authoritative (my constructed authority)? Some widely accepted authority frameworks have led many to embrace Kuhlthau’s work (and rightly so). For example, her work, culminating in her book Seeking Meaning, began as a doctoral dissertation at Rutgers University. The rigor that typically accompanies a doctoral program is intended to confirm that a work from such a program should be considered authoritative. Likewise, many faithful librarians can affirm Kuhlthau’s summary through our experiences of helping patrons with research. For a faithful librarian, however, considering a work as authoritative does not stop here. We must ask further questions: Do Kuhlthau’s conclusions align with the key to authority: God’s revelation? Do Kuhlthau’s findings lead me to love God or my neighbor (from Scripture, a norma normans non normata, an authority that exercises control over all the other authorities)? In this context, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” In fact, one could argue that the effort a librarian takes to provide assistance aligning with the patron’s research stage reflects a genuine love for one’s neighbor, making Kuhlthau’s conclusion stand because of its alignment with God’s revelation (again, the key to authority).

How should a faithful librarian respond to the Framework when it states that authority is constructed? It is safe to assume that authority is indeed constructed in many contexts, and subsequently, the Framework‘s suggested response is notable. Therefore, when working with an authority in the context of research, faithful librarians are responsible for utilizing various constructed authorities to guide patrons and ourselves to reliable sources while simultaneously seeking God’s wisdom to discover the truth in line with the norma normans non normata of Jesus Christ and Scripture.

Cedarville University Librarians (2025) recently released “A Biblical Framework for Information Literacy: Dispositions for Christian Student Scholars.” This framework aims to provide a “set of dispositional mindsets from a biblical worldview that all librarians, faculty, and students can apply as Christian scholars” (Cedarville University, 2025, p. 1). A disposition is a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character. Embracing Jesus Christ and Scripture as the ultimate authorities acknowledges God’s sovereignty and generates particular dispositions in a research protocol. Humility, one of Cedarville University Library’s (2025) dispositions, results from a faithful librarian’s acknowledgment that Jesus Christ and Scripture are the norma normans non normata.

How should a faithful librarian apply humility in their research endeavors? In their “Biblical Framework for Information Literacy,” Cedarville University Librarians (2025) provide four ways to adopt humility as a mindset in a research endeavor. A faithful librarian, recognizing Jesus and Scripture, and not oneself, as an ultimate authority:

understands their own limitations in knowledge and accepts with deference and discernment the knowledge of others while maintaining Scripture as the ultimate authority;

seeks opportunities to give praise and credit to God and others for the success of their scholarship, both privately and publicly, when appropriate;

embraces their dependence on God through each step of the research process;

exhibits open-mindedness and a willingness to transform their attitude towards a subject as new information is uncovered, discerning it through the lens of a biblical worldview (p. 9).

Each of these provide great venues through which humility can be displayed in research protocol; humility fostered by embracing the authorities of Jesus Christ and Scripture (standards which standardize that cannot be standardized), understanding that all other authority is constructed from these norms. A faithful librarian’s confession that Jesus Christ and Scripture are the norma normans non normata will transform all of life, including their research protocols. Such a confession fosters humility in all facets of life, which overflows into the research practices of a faithful librarian because of the abundance of God’s riches and grace.

References

Association of College and Research Libraries. (2016). Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.

Bavinck, H. (with Bolt, J., & Vriend, J.). (2003). Reformed Dogmatics (Vols. 1–4). Baker Academic.

Berkouwer, G. C. (1983). The Testimony of the Spirit. In D. K. McKim (Ed.), The Authoritative Word: Essays on the Nature of Scripture (pp. 155–182). Eerdmans.

Cedarville University, Centennial Library Research Librarians. (2025). A Biblical Framework for Information Literacy: Dispositions for Christian Student Scholars. Cedarville University. https://publications.cedarville.edu/library/dispositions/

Estes, D. J. (2019). Psalm 19, Revelation, and the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Life. In A. J. Spencer (Ed.), The Christian Mind of C. S. Lewis (pp. 48–57). Wipf & Stock.

Johnson, D. (2014). Biblical Knowing: A Scriptural Epistemology of Error. James Clarke & Co.

Johnson, D. (2015). Scripture’s Knowing: A Companion to Biblical Epistemology. Wipf and Stock.

Kuhlthau, C. (2004). Seeking Meaning: A Process Approach to Library and Information Services (2nd ed.). Libraries Unlimited.

Lloyd-Jones, D. M. (1958). Authority. Inter-Varsity Fellowship.

Meek, E. L. (2011). Loving to Know: Introducing Covenant Epistemology. Cascade Books.

Packer, J. I. (1981). Freedom and Authority. International Council on Biblical Inerrancy.

Ramm, B. (1957). The Pattern of Religious Authority. Eerdmans.

Shatzer, J. (2023). Faithful Learning: A Vision for Theologically Integrated Education. B&H Academic.

ABSTRACT:

In this entry, I wrestle with how a biblical-theological understanding of knowledge—what Esther Meek calls “covenant epistemology”—can transform my approach to information literacy as a Christian librarian. I reflect on how knowing is not just about collecting information, but about entering into a covenant relationship with God that shapes my whole being and calls me to obedience, transformation, and relational engagement with others. Drawing on thinkers like Esther Meek, Dru Johnson, and Kenneth Boa, I explore how concepts such as reverent awe of God, participation in community, and seeking wise guidance inform my practice of helping patrons discern trustworthy sources and avoid error. Ultimately, I argue that information literacy, when rooted in covenant epistemology, becomes a deeply relational and transformative pursuit—one that not only equips others to navigate information wisely, but also helps them grow intellectually, ethically, and spiritually in the context of God’s faithful love.

FULL ENTRY:

A previous blog entry began a discussion on faithful information literacy. When I started that entry, I thought I could lay the foundation for information literacy in a single entry. I soon realized that this would be difficult. My previous entry on this topic began this discussion by arguing for a connection between our understanding of knowledge and information literacy. The entry suggested that there may be a biblical-theological, epistemological lens through which faithful librarians should view information literacy. If this lens exists, what does it look like?

In her work, Loving to Know, Esther Meek (2011) states that knowing Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior is rarely considered an epistemic venture (pp. 62-63). Meek (2011) notes that this implied separation between a faithful librarian’s spiritual journey and epistemology has both “thwarted and castrated biblical Christianity” (p. 61). Fortunately, Meek does not leave this issue hanging, but she aims to provide an epistemological framework that addresses this concern: covenant epistemology. As noted in a previous entry, the literature infers a connection between how we understand knowledge (epistemology) and information literacy. This entry will define covenant epistemology and close with some applications on how it might impact our understanding of information literacy.

As this entry examines covenant epistemology, we should ask, “What is a covenant?” In simple terms, a covenant is simply an oath or a promise. The Lordship of God is covenantal, based on promises made by God to which God, because of his character and nature, will be faithful. As followers of Jesus Christ, God has established a covenant with us. A proper response to this covenant is embedded in the Old Testament phrase: “fearing God” (Hubbard, 1989, p. 48). While “fearing God” may not be a familiar term in modern Christian dialogue, the concept carries weight in both the Old and the New Testament. In his work, Conformed to His Image, Kenneth Boa (2001) notes that “(t)he fear of the Lord not only means cultivating a reverential awe of God but also relates to the mindset of a subject in a great kingdom. It is the recognition that the King has all power and authority in his hand and that the subject’s life, occupation, and future are dependent on the good pleasure of the King. It is the ongoing acknowledgment of his sovereignty and the truth that our lives are in his hands. It is the foundation for wisdom because it leads to a sense of profound dependency, submission, and trust” (p. 132).

In the context of a faithful librarian, “fearing God” means that a reverential awe and respect towards God guides the heart of a faithful librarian, manifested in loving God and one’s neighbor. In an article discussing the fear of the Lord, Karl Barth (1960) notes that “(w)hen the right fear of the Lord takes possession of our hearts, we are both lost in amazement and struck by awe, even terror. For we discover that God, since the beginning of time, has not hated or threatened you and me, but has loved and chosen us, has made a covenant with us, has been our helper long before we knew it, and will continue this relationship” (p. 438). Covenant epistemology holds that a covenant, manifesting God’s love and relational faithfulness, is central to epistemological inquiry.

Covenant epistemology argues that a faithful librarian’s relationship with Jesus Christ is the central paradigm of all knowing (Meek, 2011, p. 63). Subsequently, covenant epistemology connects truth with life; it recognizes that acquiring knowledge engenders obedience to the covenant that binds God and His people (Naugle, n.d.). Covenant epistemology argues that an individual attains knowledge for responsible action. It radically connects knowing and doing, epistemology and ethics, belief and behavior, or the consequences of hypocrisy, guilt, and personal disintegration (Naugle, n.d.). Meek (2011) summarizes this by stating that “knowledge is transformation, not mere information” (p. 6). She elaborates on this further by saying, “(a)ll of life is about knowing God as Lord. On this approach, this is literally true! For everything that exists, from least to greatest, exists by virtue of being covenantally known, and thus constituted as real, by God. That is what the covenantal Lordship of God entails. All that is known into existence by him is thereby dependent on him, existing for his praise, before his gaze, in an interpersonal relationship with one who both transcends (in authority and power) and is near (in intimate solidarity)–as the best sort of father-child relationship, the best sort of king-subject relationship” (Meek, 2011, p. 155).

In his work, Dru Johnson (2014) lays out three components of knowledge that may help us understand covenant epistemology: genuflection, participation, and guidance. When discussing genuflection, Johnson (2014) notes that Scripture clearly differentiates knowing about God and knowing God. Knowing God is often defined as having a personal encounter with God (p. 205). Johnson (2014) notes that genuflection is critical for the differentiation between these because knowing God “is a repetitive process where trust is furnished, guidance is enacted, and reasons for future trust can be justified based on prior trust (e.g., the multiple authenticating acts of YHWH through Moses before the Israelites, Jesus’ continual miracle ministry, etc.)” (p. 205). A biblical framework of knowledge, Johnson suggests, does not just involve knowing in an abstract sense, it entails an intimate personal encounter. I often think of these as “aha” moments, a time when I can connect what I am learning with my personal journey. Many frequently strive for these kinds of bridges because they often bind the critical venture of learning with our individual experiences. Genuflection, Johnson (2014) argues, is one component that can make epistemological treks in the framework of covenant epistemology transformational.

Johnson (2014) states that participation is the second component that builds knowledge in a biblical framework. Johnson (2014) argues that the pattern observed in Scripture shows us the critical role social interaction plays in knowledge (p. 206). Many of us experienced, to one degree or another, what learning can look like in a context where the social framework has been disrupted, as was the case for the vast majority of educational contexts during COVID-19. In some contexts, this dramatically altered the educational venture, questioning whether there was any authentic knowledge exchange, let alone transformation. This reality aligns with Johnson’s (2014) point that knowledge involves investing ourselves in another person’s story (p. 208), a process disrupted by the lack of face-to-face interaction. In stating this, I am not implying that learning cannot occur apart from an in-person exchange. However, I would like to suggest that something is often needed to supplement the process of knowledge exchange in a context lacking participation and a strong social dynamic (cf. Cornelius, 2002, p. 403).

I had the privilege of re-learning biblical Hebrew a few years ago. Many would laugh at me (and rightly so) if I said I had attended a weekly cooking class at a local community college to re-learn biblical Hebrew. Why would one see such a venture as ridiculous? While there may be rare contexts where one could learn biblical Hebrew through a cooking class, this is not the norm. It is not the norm because the two topics (cooking and biblical Hebrew) are often understood as differing domains, and expertise in one has little to no connection with knowledge in the other. When I wanted to relearn biblical Hebrew, I sought guidance, but not from a culinary expert. I wanted someone to help me connect biblical Hebrew with English so I could reach a point where I could read the Old Testament in its original language. I needed guidance, and I got it from a colleague and friend who had the authority to take me through the rigors of learning biblical Hebrew. Johnson (2014) argues that guidance is the third component that aligns with scriptural epistemology and notes that Scripture provides example after example of contexts in which seeking knowledge involves turning to authoritative frameworks relevant to the area of pursuit (p. 208). Because the Christian faith argues that God created everything, He is an authority in all arenas, and the ultimate framework for seeking knowledge in all domains is rooted in theological truth. This does not necessarily imply that I turn to prayer to learn biblical Hebrew (although biblical Hebrew was difficult for me to re-learn, I am confident that God listened to my pleas for help through the rigorous challenges). However, it does imply that I use the frameworks that God established (such as turning to those with authority in the domain) to grow and learn.

In an earlier entry, I discussed the similarities between Frame’s (1987) three epistemological frameworks and a framework for information literacy discussed by Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012). While they were not identical, their similarities suggested that how we understand epistemology will impact our understanding of information literacy. Similarly, covenant epistemology’s points of genuflection, participation, and guidance align with Frame’s (1987) existential, situational, and normative perspectives, as well as with Limberg, Sundin, and Talja’s (2012) phenomenography, sociocultural theory, and discourse analysis. While not aiming to imply that they are identical, their similarities are noticeable, which suggests not only that how we understand knowledge impacts how we understand information literacy but that there is a biblical framework to help us understand knowledge, which should guide faithful librarians in their aim to understand, practice, and teach information literacy.

If we embrace Meek’s (2011) idea that “knowledge is transformation, not mere information” (p. 6), and we agree that how we see knowledge impacts our understanding and practice of information literacy, how should this affect a faithful librarian’s perception of information literacy? First, we must acknowledge that how we understand epistemology impacts how we understand information literacy. Embracing that connection warrants taking Meek’s (2011) argument (partially built on John Frame’s [1987] work) into account, as she notes that knowledge is a critical resource empowering one to grow, change, develop, and be transformed into godliness (p. 6). Can information literacy play a role in developing godliness? I would answer this with a resounding “YES!” A Christ-centered perspective drives one to view information literacy not simply as an ethical means to practice research or as tools that enable one to do it better (although these are both important). A faithful librarian understands that knowledge is transformative, and how we understand knowledge drives how we understand information literacy.

In stating that information literacy plays a role in developing godliness, am I inferring that information literacy can play a transformative role? To be honest, when I first started working on this entry, I had to wrestle with this question. I see the gospel itself as transformative, but information literacy? However, information literacy can help faithful librarians and patrons abstain from error. The subtitle of Dru Johnson’s (2014) work discussed earlier is “a scriptural epistemology of error.” He argues that, when discussed in Scripture, knowing yields two epistemological outcomes: knowledge and error (Johnson, 2014, p. 47). Knowledge entails “listening to the trusted authorities and doing what they prescribed to see what they are showing you” (Johnson, 2015, loc. 481). An epistemological error involves the opposite of this: not listening to trusted authorities, listening to “authorities” who should not be trusted (which Johnson [2014] notes as “first-order errors” [p. 74]), or “listening” to a trusted authority as I should, but not actually doing what they said (which Johnson [2014] notes as a “second-order error” [p. 74]). Specifically, information literacy helps us know which authorities to trust and guides faithful librarians in guiding their patrons to avoid what Johnson (2014) notes as “first-order epistemological errors” (p. 74).

Is this important? I don’t think anyone would disagree with the critical importance of determining which authorities to trust in any research endeavor. But, as noted earlier, covenant epistemology recognizes that the purpose of acquiring knowledge is to engender obedience to the covenant that binds God and His people (Naugle, n.d.). Can information literacy play a role in engendering obedience? Johnson (2014) notes that a lack of obedience is a second-order epistemological error (p. 74), which rests on the assumption that the individual knows the appropriate action to take (driven by listening to the proper authority). So, what is information literacy? I would like to argue that information literacy entails enabling patrons to avoid first-order epistemological errors and guiding them toward truth, thereby leading them away from deception and lies. This is a critical ministerial task for faithful librarians because lies are a form of self-deception, distort reality, break trust, and separate individuals from authentic relationships with God and others.

As noted in an earlier blog, ACRL (2016) defines information literacy as “the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning” (para. 6). I am in general agreement that the components of ACRL’s (2016) definition align with what is needed to avoid first-order epistemological errors and guide patrons away from deceptions and lies. There will be some points of critique in future entries discussing the Framework, as the frames elaborate on differing elements.

The question remains: “What does information literacy look like when based on the epistemological framework of covenant epistemology?” Future entries will flesh this out further as they discuss how this premise affects the Framework’s frames (Association of College and Research Libraries [ACRL], 2016). However, I want to close this entry with a few suggestions and applications. How I see epistemology impacts how I see information literacy. Information literacy can be critical in preventing epistemological errors and guiding patrons to the truth. How should this drive my practice as a faithful librarian?

As noted earlier, covenant epistemology suggests that knowledge has two parts: listening to trusted authorities and following their instructions, so that the learner can rightly perceive and inhabit what is being disclosed (cf. Johnson, 2015, loc. 481). In this context, faithful librarians should be eager to help patrons learn and grow because, as covenant epistemology argues, knowledge leads to transformation. This understanding pairs discipleship with much of what we do as librarians. How? If knowledge is a critical instrument in transformation, our interactions with patrons can play a key role in enabling them to develop intellectually and spiritually. Subsequently, when allowed to assist a patron, faithful librarians should eagerly anticipate these interactions because they provide contexts (be they ever so brief) to mentor and teach, guiding patrons away from epistemological errors and leading them toward greater learning and growth in all facets of life.

Secondly, as alluded to throughout this entry, covenant epistemology has a strong social component. The attempt to view knowledge through a covenantal framework (as the term “covenant epistemology” suggests) affirms this, as covenants and the contexts in which we learn to trust the authorities to whom we listen are social (Johnson, 2014, pp. 209-210). The idea that how we see knowledge impacts how we see information literacy assumes that if epistemology is covenantal (and therefore relational), information literacy will have a strong relational dynamic.

Many Christian institutions of higher education include the idea of “transformation” in their key objectives or mission statements. Covenant epistemology argues that knowledge plays a critical role in this transformative work. I doubt any administrator would disagree with this epistemological premise. In an email dialog I had with Bill Badke (2007), he articulated it well when he said: “(Information literacy) is a goal for every student in higher education, but it is much more so the goal for a student at a Christian college/university. Many of the students come to college with their minds made up on almost everything, or with a lot of questions and little certainty. One of the essential goals of education is to enable students to navigate among the many voices they will encounter and to discover truth in the midst of bigotry and competing versions of reality.” In other words, information literacy is a critical tool that can empower students to avoid epistemological error that encumbers their discovery of truth. In contexts where one hears so many voices that hamper transformation, isn’t an epistemological tool that can help guide students to the truth critical? Perhaps this is where information literacy is key in Christian higher education. Future entries will flesh this out further as we look at the six frames of the Framework and argue what they might look like with covenant epistemology as a theoretical base.

References

Association of College and Research Libraries (2016). Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.

Badke, W. B. (2007, March 21). Information Literacy [Personal communication].

Barth, K. (1960). Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Interpretation, 14(4), 433–439.

Boa, K. (2001). Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation. Zondervan.

Cornelius, I. (2002). Theorizing Information for Information Science. In Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (Vol. 36, pp. 393–425). Information Today.

Frame, J. M. (1987). The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Baker.

Hubbard, D. A. (1989). Mastering the Old Testament: Proverbs. Word Books.

Johnson, D. (2014). Biblical knowing: A scriptural epistemology of error. James Clarke & Co.

Johnson, D. (2015). Scripture’s Knowing: A Companion to Biblical Epistemology. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Limberg, L., Sundin, O., & Talja, S. (2012). Three theoretical perspectives on information literacy. Human IT: Journal for Information Technology as a Human Science, 11(2), 93–130.

Meek, E. L. (2011). Loving to know: Introducing covenant epistemology. Cascade Books.

Naugle, D. (n.d.). What is Knowledge?: Biblical/Hebraic Epistemology. Summer Institute in Christian Scholarship, Dallas Baptist University. http://www3.dbu.edu/naugle/pdf/devo_7.pdf

ABSTRACT:

In this post, I examine how a Christ-centered perspective can inform my understanding and practice of information literacy as a librarian. While traditional definitions and frameworks from the Association of College and Research Libraries have shaped my professional approach, I’ve seen that Scripture and theology offer valuable insights into knowledge, learning, and wisdom deeply relevant to information literacy. Drawing on John Frame’s biblical epistemology—normative, situational, and existential perspectives—I reflect on how standards, context, and self-knowledge all play a role in how I seek, evaluate, and share information. Ultimately, I ask how a reverent and worshipful heart toward God should shape my approach to information literacy. I also invite further exploration of how faith can guide faithful librarianship in theory and practice.

FULL ENTRY:

Information literacy has become a critical tool for many academic librarians and is often used by librarians to connect with faculty and administrators in many educational contexts. The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has hallmarked information literacy by creating the Information Literacy Competency Standards in 2000 and the Framework for Information Literacy in 2016. Both have played critical roles in assisting librarians with their advocacy for information literacy. As this blog aims to look at librarianship through a faith-based lens, one cannot help but ask, how should a faithful librarian assess information literacy? There are many points of information literacy to critique and evaluate, and future entries will assess particular components of information literacy by looking at some of its epistemological presuppositions and the six frames of the Framework. This entry will examine the overarching element of information literacy and ask, “How can a Christ-centered perspective inform how a faithful librarian assesses and engages with information literacy?”

When discussing information literacy, one often thinks about “a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information” (Association of College and Research Libraries [ACRL], 2000, p. 2). The Framework also comes up in many discussions related to information literacy. The Framework, adopted by ACRL in early 2016, notes that “(i)nformation literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning” (para. 6).

In much of my earlier work with information literacy, I easily bypassed the query regarding how information literacy connects with any theological premise. Since neither Scripture nor theological works explicitly discuss information, I thought there was no warrant for developing how a faithful librarian might look at information literacy. However, after doing some work in this area, I was reminded that Scripture has much to say about knowledge, learning, understanding, and wisdom, and the literature suggests that each of these has some connection back to how we understand information (Capurro & Hjorland, 2002, p. 356; Cleveland, 1985, p. 23; Jones, 2010, para. 1; Kuhlthau, 2004, p. 189).

When aiming to look at knowledge as a faithful librarian, it is hard to ignore the works of John Frame. In his book, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, John Frame provides insight regarding what knowledge might look like in a biblical-theological framework. Frame points out three common means through which we come to know and notes that the Christian faith speaks into all these: normative, situational, and existential. In normative epistemology, one tends to look for a standard or a rule that is not influenced by human subjectivity through which one can know what is true. For example, librarians often use the Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers (2023) as a standard to know when a reference interview was done well. While I doubt that anyone would argue that these protocols were developed entirely apart from human subjectivity, their development by an association implies a communal subjectivity that often speaks louder than the voice of a single person. Subsequently, protocols such as these establish standards to determine communal norms for a reference interview. Protocols or norms such as these play a role in learning (i.e., attaining knowledge) regarding how one does a reference interview well (i.e., a normative standard). Librarianship (like many facets of life) has normative standards. Just like a librarian can do a reference interview well by abiding within the norms of the Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers (2023), humanity does well by abiding within the authority, control, and presence of God’s law (Frame, 1987, pp. 62-64).

A second factor impacting knowledge is our contexts (i.e., situational). Frame notes that knowing God involves knowing our contexts, the world God created. By knowing the world, we further understand the works of God, which play a crucial role in helping us know more about God. God also wants people to apply Scripture to their situation; thus, understanding the situation often plays a critical role in applying biblical and theological truths to those scenarios. Frame (1987) also argues that we cannot know the world without knowing God: a lack of adequate understanding of God quickly leads to misunderstanding the world (pp. 64-67). In a professional context, situational epistemology can be seen in the incredible value of learning on the job. Many argue that such experiences are an excellent means to learn, grow, and become a more robust professional. The idea that we can learn through our experiences not only about our job but about God should resonate for faithful librarians as we believe that God allows all of our experiences to work together for good (Romans 12:2), which, at least in part, involves understanding what God desires to teach us through them.

An existential epistemology argues that knowledge comes from understanding oneself. Frame (1987), again, notes that this aligns with a biblical understanding of knowledge (pp. 67-70). Because humanity is created in God’s image, we can often learn more about God as we gain knowledge of ourselves. For example, the human body’s intricacies and the fact that differing entities of the body all work together to sustain life can teach us about the critical roles that unity and diversity play in sustenance. When I understand that the same God who created my body created all facets of life, I can connect what I learn about God’s character by better understanding myself in differing contexts, as the same God who created me also made the heavens and the earth. For example, the fact that all the diverse components of the physical body work together to sustain it implies that God can and often does his work through diverse entities.

Also, I cannot know myself rightly until I see myself as created in God’s image: fallen yet saved by grace. I cannot know God rightly until I seek to know him, acknowledging my role as a creature and a servant. This infers that a purely ‘objective’ view of knowledge is neither possible nor favorable because of our fallen nature. These components speak to an existential epistemology (Frame, 1987, pp. 67-70).

Frame argues that these three perspectives (normative, situational, and existential) must drive epistemology. The normative perspective examines epistemology by arguing that man was made to think according to God’s law. God’s law is the ultimate presupposition. A situational framework emphasizes that God commands us to understand creation well enough so that we can apply scriptural ideas and principles to all facets of life. Finally, epistemology is driven by our understanding of ourselves because, as we are created in the image of God, such an understanding can point us to God. Frame argues that from a biblical worldview, these three interrelated perspectives drive epistemology. Can these three aspects of knowledge help us understand information literacy? Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012) infer this might be possible.

Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012) argue that three theoretical perspectives drive our understanding and practice of information literacy: phenomenography, sociocultural theory, and discourse analysis. Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012) note that phenomenography looks at the differing patterns that result when individuals experience information literacy (p. 116). On the other hand, sociocultural theory tends to look at information literacy as a tool-based practice within specific communities (Limberg, Sundin, & Talja, 2012, p. 116). Discourse analysis identifies broader historical information literacy discourses that create standards and rules for expressing information literacy (Limberg, Sundin, & Talja, 2012, p. 111).

While Limberg, Sundin, and Talja’s (2012) three components are not identical to Frame’s (1987), I find an intriguing alignment. Frame’s normative perspective bears similarities to information literacy’s discourse analysis in that both look for standards or rules upon which to base their understanding. Similarly, Frame’s (1987) situational perspective and Limberg, Sundin, and Talja’s (2012) sociocultural theory look at communal context as a key component of knowledge and information literacy. Finally, Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012) note that phenomenography places the individual doing the learning in the center of an information literacy endeavor (p. 117). This aligns nicely with Frame’s (1987) argument for the existential component of epistemology, which argues that the knowledge of self is epistemologically critical (pp. 67-70). Perhaps these similarities suggest that how one understands epistemology plays a crucial role in understanding and practicing information literacy. Like Frame (1987, p. 70), Limberg, Sundind, and Talja (2012) note that these three components are intended to complement one another (p. 121). When these three frames are utilized for information literacy, Limberg, Sundin, and Talja (2012) note that it presents a holistic picture of how information literacy can strengthen one’s pursuit of learning, growth, and knowledge (p. 121). Similarly, the works of Swanson (2006, p. 104), Kulthau (2004, pp. 4, 69), and Hofer and Pintrich (1997, p. 88) infer that our understanding of knowledge impacts our understanding of learning and has subsequent impacts on how we understand and apply information literacy. Despite the ambiguity noted earlier, these terms (knowledge, understanding, and wisdom), their inter-connectedness inferred by the literature, and the similarities between epistemology and information literacy, it seems safe to assume that what we think about knowledge will impact our understanding of information literacy.

This entry began with the question: “How can a Christ-centered perspective inform how a faithful librarian assesses and engages with information literacy?” Some groundwork needs to be established to answer such a question, such as “What is information literacy?” One could simply accept the definitions provided by ACRL. By doing some background, I am not necessarily inferring that they are incorrect or erroneous. However, looking at foundational information literacy components, such as epistemology, helps understand how a Christ-centered perspective might engage with information literacy. Connecting information literacy with epistemological assumptions needs further exploration (cf. Budd and Lloyd, 2014).

The discussion of epistemology and its connection with information literacy likely leads to the question: “What does it mean for a faithful librarian if knowledge has a connection with information literacy?” Proverbs 1:7 states that “(t)he fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (ESV). This verse infers some connection between epistemology and having a reverent and worshipful heart towards God (Botterweck, 1974, p. 298). If information literacy is also connected with epistemology, could there be any connection between how we practice information literacy and reflecting a reverent and worshipful heart? The following blog entries will explore these questions and provide a biblical and theological base to help faithful librarians understand, apply, and advocate for information literacy.

References

Association of College and Research Libraries (2000). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency.

Association of College and Research Libraries (2016). Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.

Botterweck, G. J. (with Ringgren, H., Fabry, H.-J., & Green, D. E.). (1974). Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (vol. 6). Eerdmans.

Budd, J. M., & Lloyd, A. (2014). Theoretical foundations for information literacy: A plan for action. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 51(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/meet.2014.14505101001

Capurro, R., & Hjørland, B. (2002). The concept of information. In Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (Vol. 36, pp. 343–411). Information Today Inc.

Cleveland, H. (1985). The knowledge executive: Leadership in an information society. Truman Talley Books.

Frame, J. M. (1987). The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God. Baker.

Jones, W. (2010). No knowledge but through information. First Monday, 15(9). https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3062/2600

Hofer, B. K., & Pintrich, P. R. (1997). The development of epistemological theories: Beliefs about knowledge and knowing and their relation to learning. Review of Educational Research, 67(1), 88–140. https://doi.org/10.2307/1170620

Kuhlthau, C. (2004). Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services (2nd ed.). Libraries Unlimited.

Limberg, L., Sundin, O., & Talja, S. (2012). Three theoretical perspectives on information literacy. Human IT: Journal for Information Technology as a Human Science, 11(2), 93–130.

Reference User and Services Association. (2023). Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers. https://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/guidelinesbehavioral

Swanson, T. (2006). Information Literacy, Personal Epistemology, and Knowledge Construction: Potential and Possibilities. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 13(3), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1300/J106v13n03_07