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.
The Moral Descent of the Fool
This initial episode introduces the Biblical fool as someone who responds to the knowledge of God incorrectly. The "fool" in common English parlance often suggests a fool is ignorant, but not morally culpable for that ignorance. The Bible however describes a fool as one who willfully suppresses the knowledge of God, and is therefore morally defective. Romans 1:18-22 details the regression: the fool 1) suppresses the truth, 2) rejects the knowledge of God in creation 3) produces alternate futile speculations, 4) professes to be wise, when in fact, he/she is a fool. A Biblical fool then is someone who is willfully blind to "EVIDENT" knowledge that points to God, resulting in a refusal to "honor God as God and give Him thanks." Absent the plain knowledge of God, the fool is left groping for explanations that would discount the EVIDENCE. Futile speculations now testify to the spiritual darkness that has descended on the heart. The darkness brought on by willful ignorance of God culminates in self-deception, the darkness obscures the knowledge of God and the self. The fool thinks he is wise, when he is in fact, a fool.