All told, curiosity is seen as something of great value. Something that drives us to learn and explore. But it strikes me that this was not always the understanding or use of the word.
Curiosity has not always been a virtue. All of the older texts I read suggest that curiosity is a vice. Curiosity killed the cat, we are told.
John Calvin has a few things to say about curiosity, specifically the disciples' curiosity whether this was the moment Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. The context here is the first chapter of Acts at the end of the 40 days between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension. Now that Jesus has risen from the dead the disciples are anxious to know when the actual ruling a kingdom part starts. God's plan for redemption in Jesus is much bigger than the political control of a piece of Middle Eastern soil (a much-coveted piece, to be sure, even to this day.) The disciples don't quite get that yet. But let us not be too hard on them. I often have a pretty small and parochial vision of God's purposes so I have no stones to cast.
Jesus' response to the disciples in Acts 1 is this:
“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7)
In his comment on their question and Jesus' response Calvin describes the disciples as rude, deceived, and bad scholars "under so good a Master."* It is always fun to read the reformers like Calvin and Luther. There is a candor and bluntness that we see little of in the attempt to maintain civil discourse. It might not always sound charitable, but you don't have to guess what they actually think.
But back to curiosity. On Jesus' "It is not for you to know" response Calvin says this:
"This
is a general reprehension (rebuke) of the whole question. For it was too curious for
them to desire to know that whereof their Master would have them ignorant; but
this is the true means to become wise, namely, to go as far forward in learning
as our Master Christ goeth in teaching, and willingly to be ignorant of those
things which he doth conceal from us. But forasmuch as there is naturally
engendered in us a certain foolish and vain curiosity, and also a certain rash
kind of boldness, we must diligently observe this admonition of Christ, whereby
he correcteth both these vices."** (Emphases mine.)
Curiosity does not come off well with Calvin. And there are two reasons, I think. First, Calvin understands that some things are not any of our concern. In the information age, we are quite used to knowing everything - or at least having the right to know everything. Those who have gone before us didn't think that way. We attach great value to being "in the know." They didn't. And subsequently, curiosity was not always seen as positive.
Second, Calvin's conviction that these things were not their, or our concern, is rooted in an understanding of Jesus as our Master, or our Lord. By virtue of his position and authority over us, he doesn't owe us the complete plan in advance. The hierarchical order in this tends to rub our egalitarian sensibilities the wrong way. Not so Calvin, or his forebears. Contained in his worldview was the notion that he is under the authority of others, primarily God. Calvin and the rest of the reformers were no yes men. They challenged the ecclesiastical authorities - which is why there was a Reformation. But they retained the conviction that Lordship and authority remain good things, despite what had been done with them.
The Lord, because he is Lord, is free to reveal to us what he wants. It is foolish curiosity and rash boldness to demand more. Doing so is questioning that Lordship - at least on some level.
As I reflect on these thoughts and others in past blogs, I feel rather like a 16th century reactionary looking back to the good old days - very old days. I am reasonably fond of the 21st century. But I am thankful for the perspectives that I read in older writers. They are not always right. My worldview is challenged by older ones - and it should be.
*Calvin's Commentaries - Acts 1:6 and following.
** Ditto, or Ibid if you want to be particular
