Learning's limitations

Going back to the clutch again after forty years is almost, but not quite, "like riding a bicycle." I stalled out a couple times with my kids in the car and they are embarrassed to the point of not asking for rides anymore. (Perfect)

It occurs to me that instruction manuals and human teachers have their limitations. Words can only go so far in explaining how to drive, knead bread, play piano, or perfect a triple axel. There is much to learning that is by feel and experience. You can tell me I have to release the clutch slowly and depress the accelerator to move from a parked position into first gear, and that is helpful. But it took a week of being the proud owner of a Jetta to find that spot where it happens seamlessly and the car doesn't cough.

This has applications in the non-automotive world. The Bible is not like a Middle Ages book of casuistry that tries to cover every imaginable ethical situation. Scripture is sufficient for life, but as a matter of fact it doesn't cover everything in detail --- like internet property rights. For many things you need the feel that comes from lots of experience. The Bible calls that wisdom and exhorts us to seek it as "silver" and "hidden treasure" (Proverbs 2:4).