Who is More Foolish?

“Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)

Every person on this planet has an opinion. There’s a thought for all situations, a belief for every truth, a truth for every facet. The so-called wise men of today, the scientists, the spiritualists, the therapists, the men in charge, are sought after as an ideal. People look to their knowledge, their discoveries, as the root of wisdom, and that wisdom as the cause of success, even unto a kind of salvation.

For centuries, the world has looked to philosophers, governors, teachers, and all manner of people in positions of perceived authority as beacons of morality, thoughtfulness, and truth. Come hell or high water, a man finds his own personal gods in the self, the world, or the enemy. He’ll acquiesce to any idea so long as it sounds plausible.

But an idea doesn’t merit truth because of its plausibility. Arguments for a cause only do so much. God cannot be found in mere textbooks, social studies, statistical analysis, or any such sort of pedestrian manner. He cannot be confined to a box in a corner or a test-tube in a lab. His wisdom is beyond that.

God, as Scripture says, is not found in man’s wisdom, but in foolishness, in a message that must be believed. All the wise men have offered their take and been found wanting. In the first century AD, there existed two people groups of interest to Christianity: Jews & Gentiles.

“For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25)

The dichotomy is apparent. Jews want answers. They want to know why, how, when, where, and what proof do you have. They’re not content to believe, but most be shown the kind of evidence which only satisfies the proverbial stomach rather than the heart. They greedily call after messengers, miracles, and prophecies, but their love isn’t present. Their faith is flimsy and their hearts are hard.

The Gentiles (particularly the Greeks) believe themselves wise. Their philosophers, their Aristotle and Plato and Socrates are thought to be the pinnacle of human wisdom. What do they need the gods for? To them, man is above such things, wise in his own eyes, and so Christ crucified, a resurrection and eternal life, are beyond the pale of what’s acceptable. They think they have the answers already (or will uncover them soon).

But the Truth of Christ makes both foolish. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are the undoing of human wisdom, loveless living, works righteousness, and the supremacy of the self. How can this be known? What does Paul say exists in the body of believers which points to God’s “foolishness” conquering the wisdom of man?

“Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world – what is viewed as nothing – to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us – our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Scripture notes that God does not choose His people because of their own prowess. A man in God is not selected because of his birth or his self-proclaimed knowledge. No, God has chosen the meek, the shamed, the underdog, the sinner of sinners, to be His. Why? Because God brings His love to those whom He has chosen to believe. A man who boasts in himself does not honor the Lord. A man who exalts himself is not humble and is not chosen.

In this way, the message of Christ crucified, of a man dying for the sins of the world so that those in Him will be reconciled unto eternal life, is foolishness for unbelievers but wisdom by the grace of God. In this way, God turns the output and earnings of human wisdom to ash. In this way, men who profess themselves to be wise become fools (Romans 1:21-23).

The mind of man is treacherous. It’s a twisted thorn bush rife with snakes, parasites, and ill will. But the power and glory of God, His wisdom and His truth, is like a cleansing fire. All of the overgrowth and unsavoriness is burned away, leaving not even the remnants of the plant intact. Instead, a seed is planted, the Truth of the Word who is Christ, and a new birth begins.

There is no foolishness in Christ, but there is in unbelief. If a man can know His love and be saved from the flames of wrath, why would he rest in the wisdom of others not unlike himself? Signs and wonders fade. The pride of man perishes. But the Truth of God, of living in and through Christ, persists forever.

Thanks and praise belong to Him who saves us from the darkness of sin and brings us to the light of eternal life. May His name be glorified in the days to come (and I’m certain it will be). And thank you for reading. Peace be with you and God bless.