A Fool Answered

Someone on Facebook posted this meme, quoting the deceased Christopher Hitchens, who had been a very established writer and debater, who was an atheist. Typical of “Hitch,” were quotes such as the one depicted in the meme. The person who posted it then asked…

How do we respond?

The best way to deal with any challenge to the Biblical worldview is to respond as the Bible instructs. The Book of Proverbs is very helpful here. Take these verses…

Proverbs 26:4-5 (HCSB)
“Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.”

Now, don’t be taken back by the label “fool.” In scripture, the word “fool” is not meant it as an insult, but as a reference to someone who ought to know better or who is purposely imposing their own will despite knowing the truth. This quote is a prime example of such.

Why do I say this?

Hitchens is not just some wise cracking “regular Joe.” He was highly educated. His brother Peter (also a highly educated writer, author, and journalist) is a professed Christian. The brothers have even formally debated their opposing worldviews. The point is, Christopher knew better. He is the epitome of what scripture calls a “fool.”

So, in light of Proverbs 26:4-5, this is how

I responded…

God didn’t condemn “someone,” God condemned Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. God doesn’t delegate, He does it Himself…

Notice that I did not answer “according to his foolishness.” I did not allow the challenger’s assertion to be considered valid, giving it teeth, thus becoming “like him yourself.” Instead, I answered “according to his foolishness,” responding directly to the flaw in the premise, keeping the challenger from becoming “wise in his own eyes,” while also integrating in the truth of the Gospel.

I hope this helps…

Godspeed, to the brethren!

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2 Comments

  1. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. -1 Corinthians 1:18-25

    No surprise Hitchens would find the Gospel foolish. The natural mind cannot submit to the wisdom of God.

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