The gospel in words: 'Fool'

A "fool" is one who is deficient in judgment or sense, one who acts or behaves stupidly, a silly person, a simpleton (Oxford English Dictionary). "The fool in biblical language, is a combination of stupid perversity and rebellion against God and all that sensible people stand for. He is willfully perverted, rebellious, knowingly wicked to his own harm" (Dallas Willard, "The Divine Conspiracy").

The words "fool," "fools" and "foolish" are used numerous times in the scriptures, virtually always in the negative sense as in the definitions above. How, then, are we to understand the very few times where it appears, as in 2 Nephi 9:42, that there are circumstances in which to be a fool is a good thing? The Apostle Paul tells us that "we are fools for Christ's sake" (1 Corinthians 4:10).

Paul gives us some guidance as to the use of the word fool in a positive sense. "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). This is further clarified by the context of Jacob's teaching in 2 Nephi 9, where he also contrasts the pride of the world as reflected in the world's learning, wisdom and riches. "Yea, they are they whom he despiseth." Unless we cast these things away, and in the world's eyes only a fool would cast such things away, can we come down before God in the depths of humility.

Paul knew whereof he spoke. When he taught the philosophers in Athens on Mars' Hill, the most learned and worldly wise men of his generation, "some said, What will this babbler say?" Though some believed Paul, it appears that most "mocked" him (Acts 17:16-34).

What is clear is that the things of God and the knowledge of the things of God cannot be had through the tools of worldly wisdom, learning and riches. Indeed, the things of God and the things of the world are necessarily in contradiction with each other and the embracing of godly wisdom and knowledge, and the abandonment of our attachment to worldly wealth will, in nearly every circumstance, be viewed as foolish by those who are anchored in the world's wisdom, learning and riches. Hence, we must "cast these things away," and consider ourselves fools in order that we may truly "come down in the depths of humility."

Joseph A. Cannon is editor of the Deseret News.