This episode begins a survey of 5 types of fools described in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The first level fool most closely approximates the "fool" in English. The pethey fool refers to the simple and naive one, and unlike the other 4 fools, doesn't presume hatred or resistance to the knowledge of God. The pethey is credulous and uninformed and therefore vulnerable to the schemes of the wicked. The purpose of Proverbs is "to give prudence to the naive" (Proverbs 1:4) With respect to responding to the pethey, believers are strongly encouraged to instruct the simple with godly counsel. While saints are discouraged from responding to a "scoffer" (level 4 fool), Proverbs makes an exception in the event a scoffer's words might negatively impact the pethey. Bad counsel must be corrected: "when the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise." (Proverbs 21:11)
Fools Reject Their Purpose
This episode links the discussion of the Biblical fool to the grand narrative of mankind's purpose, restored in salvation. The ultimate purpose of salvation is the restoration of mankind to his original purpose, where he gives God glory in response to beholding God (faith) and regarding the works of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Mankind's fundamental problem since the Fall is idolatry, where man and his works replace God and His works as the consuming focus of life. God initiates restoration: the accumulated sin debt of man is paid for and satisfied in Christ on the cross, and the wages of man's works, all tainted by sin, are paid in full. (Romans 6:23) Repudiation of the old man and his works, coupled with faith in God, is essential for salvation. Consequently, "repentance from dead works" and "faith toward God," ("repent and believe the gospel") are the first two foundational principles of Christianity. (Hebrews 6:1) Christ and His works progressively become the focus of life in Christian sanctification, replacing the idolatrous focus on man and his works. The Biblical fool, fixated on himself and his dead works, suppresses and exchanges the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1:18-23) He rejects his God-given purpose of reflecting the glory of God while delighting in God and His works. The fool instead finds purpose in pursuing his own glory and ends, shaped entirely by his idolatrous fixation on himself. Perpetual rejection of the knowledge of God and His gracious offer of redemption in Christ leads to "eternal destruction." Christ, on his return, will deal out "retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) The Biblical fool then is ultimately held accountable for his WILLFUL ignorance and rejection of the gospel.
The Underlying Idolatry of a Fool
This episode spells out the consequences of "fooldom," where one prefers "foolish speculations" over the knowledge of God. Declaring in their hearts that "there is no God"(Psalm 14:1), the fool suppresses the available knowledge of God, speaking through creation and conscience. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, fools fill the void with futile speculations, ultimately aiming to "exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man." (Romans 1:23) Self-serving idolatry then is the objective behind the rationalizations and actions of fools, who in varying degrees, resist the knowledge of God in pursuit of their own ends and glory. A common theme of future broadcasts is that "fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The underlying idolatry of the above "great exchange" anticipates hostile reactions to any who might correct the fool.