E. W. Kenyon’s essay “Two Kinds of Knowledge” argues that human understanding divides cleanly into two categories: head knowledge and heart knowledge. Head knowledge consists of facts, doctrines, and intellectual assent; heart knowledge is experiential, personal, and transformative. Kenyon presents this distinction to emphasize that true spiritual life depends not merely on knowing about God but on personally receiving and appropriating spiritual truth so that it becomes living reality. This essay examines Kenyon’s distinction, explains its theological and practical implications, evaluates strengths and weaknesses in his presentation, and considers how the two kinds of knowledge interact in a mature religious life.
Head Knowledge and Heart Knowledge: Definitions and Characteristics
Kenyon emphasizes that head knowledge alone leads to dead orthodoxy. People can recite doctrines, quote Scripture, and defend creeds while remaining spiritually barren. Conversely, heart knowledge without intellectual clarity can become sentimentalism or error; sincere feeling that lacks grounding can be misled. Kenyon’s argument is not an antithesis but a call to integration: doctrinal truths must move from the intellect into the will and affections, becoming operative in a believer’s life.
Theological and Pastoral Implications
Strengths of Kenyon’s Approach
Critiques and Limitations
Integration: Toward a Unified Spiritual Epistemology A robust religious epistemology recognizes the complementary roles of head and heart. Head knowledge disciplines the imagination, guards against error, and equips believers to articulate faith. Heart knowledge provides the willful assent and transformative assurance that make doctrine spiritually alive. Integration requires:
Conclusion E. W. Kenyon’s “Two Kinds of Knowledge” offers a concise, pastorally minded corrective to purely intellectual or purely experiential expressions of faith. Its central insight—that truth must move from cognition into the life of the affections to become saving and sanctifying—remains relevant. The challenge is to hold both dimensions together: to pursue doctrinal clarity while nurturing personal appropriation, thereby forming believers whose convictions are both true and living. two kinds of knowledge ew kenyon pdf better
In his book " The Two Kinds of Knowledge ," E.W. Kenyon distinguishes between the information we gather through our physical senses and the truth revealed to us by God. He argues that while human knowledge is vital for navigating the physical world, only "Revelation Knowledge" can provide the spiritual breakthroughs needed for a victorious Christian life. 1. Sense Knowledge (The Physical Realm)
Sense knowledge refers to all information obtained through the five physical senses: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching.
Source: It is the foundation of education, science, and technology—fields like biology, chemistry, and physics.
Limitations: Kenyon asserts that sense knowledge cannot find the "Designer" (God), explain the origin of life, or understand the human spirit.
The "Guesser" Trap: When man reaches the limits of what his senses can prove, he often turns into a "guesser" or philosopher because he lacks spiritual certainty. 2. Revelation Knowledge (The Spiritual Realm)
Revelation knowledge is "exact knowledge" revealed directly to a person's heart or spirit by the Spirit of God.
In his book The Two Kinds of Knowledge, E.W. Kenyon explores the fundamental difference between knowledge acquired through physical senses and knowledge revealed through the Word of God. This distinction is central to his teachings on how believers can move beyond natural limitations to experience a life of victory and faith. Key Concepts and Core Distinctions Kenyon emphasizes that head knowledge alone leads to
The book highlights two distinct ways humans perceive and understand the world:
Sense Knowledge: This is knowledge gained through the five physical senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. It serves as the foundation for modern science, education, and human reasoning. Kenyon argues that while sense knowledge is powerful in the material realm, it is limited because it cannot find the "Designer" behind creation or explain the origin of life.
Revelation Knowledge: This type of knowledge is revealed to the human spirit by God through His Word and the Holy Spirit. Kenyon teaches that revelation knowledge provides the answers sense knowledge cannot, such as the reason for creation and the source of spiritual life. The Practical Impact on Faith
Kenyon explains that understanding these two kinds of knowledge is essential for a strong walk of faith: Go to product viewer dialog for this item. TWO KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE by E W Kenyon
E.W. Kenyon's seminal work, he argues that human life is governed by two fundamentally different types of knowledge: Sense Knowledge, derived from the five physical senses, and Revelation Knowledge, imparted directly from God through His Word. While sense knowledge allows us to navigate the physical world and advance scientifically, Kenyon contends it is utterly incapable of finding the "Designer" or understanding spiritual realities. 👁️ Two Kinds of Knowledge 1. Sense Knowledge (Natural)
This is the body of information gained through seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling.
Domain: Governs modern civilization, including fields like biology, chemistry, and physics. Strengths of Kenyon’s Approach
Limitations: It cannot explain the origin of life, the reason for creation, or the nature of the human spirit.
Outcome: When man reaches the limits of sense knowledge, he often turns to "guessing" or philosophy to explain existence. 2. Revelation Knowledge (Divine)
This knowledge is received from the Spirit of God and is independent of physical experimentation.
The single most practical line in the booklet is this: "Sense knowledge cannot give you assurance. It can only give you opinion." If you are waiting for your logical mind to feel 100% certain before you act, you will wait forever. Revelation knowledge feels "known" in your chest, not "proven" in your head.
E.W. Kenyon (1867–1948) was an American pastor, Bible teacher, and author whose writings laid the groundwork for what later became the Word of Faith movement. While he never formally called himself a “Word of Faith” teacher, his books—such as The Two Kinds of Knowledge, The Blood Covenant, and The Hidden Man—are required reading for anyone studying the intersection of confessional theology, spiritual law, and human consciousness.
Kenyon was unique because he blended deep Biblical study with an understanding of human psychology and the mechanics of faith. He argued that most Christians are defeated not because of a lack of sincerity, but because of a category error: they confuse two radically different types of knowledge.
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