ARTICLE
TITLE:
Wisely Handling the Bible’s Wise Sayings by R.C. Sproul
DATE: November 1, 2012
AUTHOR: R.C. Sproul
AUTHOR
INFORMATION: Robert Charles Sproul (born February 13,
1939) is an American Calvinist theologian, author, and pastor. He is the
founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries (named after the Ligonier Valley
just outside of Pittsburgh, where the ministry started as a study center for
college and seminary students) and can be heard daily on the Renewing Your
Mind radio broadcast in the United States and internationally.
"Renewing Your Mind with Dr. R.C. Sproul" is also broadcast on Sirius
and XM satellite radio. In late July 2012, a new Christian internet radio
station called RefNet (Reformation Network) was also
announced by Ligonier Ministries in an effort to reach "as many people as
possible" where Internet access is available.
Ligonier Ministries hosts several theological
conferences each year, including the main conference held each year in Orlando,
FL, at which Sproul is one of the primary speakers.
Sproul was a passenger on the Amtrak train
that derailed in the 1993 Big Bayou Canot train wreck and often gives firsthand
accounts of the story.
Wisely Handling the
Bible’s Wise Sayings
Every
culture seems to have its own unique, collected wisdom, pithy insights of the
wise. Oftentimes, these tidbits of wisdom are preserved in the form of the
proverb. We have proverbial sayings in American culture. I am thinking of
sayings such as “A stitch in time saves nine” or “A penny saved is a
penny earned.”
The
Bible, of course, has an entire book of such pithy sayings—the book of
Proverbs. However, this compilation of proverbial wisdom is different from all
other such collections in that these sayings reflect not just human wisdom but
divine wisdom, for these proverbs are inspired by God.
Still,
we must be very careful in how we approach and implement these wise sayings.
Simply because they are inspired does not mean that the biblical proverbs are
like laws, imposing a universal obligation. Yet, some people treat them as if
they were divine commandments. If we regard them in that way, we run into all
kinds of trouble. Even divinely inspired proverbs do not necessarily apply to
all life situations. Rather, they reflect insights that are
generally true.
To
illustrate this point, let me remind you of two of our own culture’s proverbs.
First, we often say, “Look before you leap.” That is a valuable insight. But we
have another proverb that seems to contradict it: “He who hesitates is lost.”
If we tried to apply both of these proverbs at the same time and in the same
way in every situation, we would be thoroughly confused. In many situations,
wisdom dictates that we examine carefully where we should place our steps next
so that we are not moving blindly. At the same time, we cannot be so paralyzed
in our evaluation of the pros and cons of our next move that we hesitate too
long before making a decision and lose opportunities when they present
themselves to us.
Naturally,
it does not really bother us to find seemingly contradictory proverbs in our
own cultural wisdom. But when we discover them in the Bible, we find ourselves
wrestling with questions about the trustworthiness of Scripture. Let me cite
one well-known example. The book of Proverbs says, “Answer not a fool according
to his folly” (26:4a). Then, in the very next verse, we read, “Answer a fool
according to his folly” (26:5a). How can we follow these opposite instructions?
How can both be statements of wisdom?
Again,
just as in the example I gave above, the answer depends on the situation. There
are certain circumstances when it is not wise to answer a fool according to his
folly, but there are other circumstances when it is wise to answer a fool according
to his folly. Proverbs 26:4 says, “Answer not a fool according to his
folly, lest you be like him
yourself” (emphasis added). If someone is speaking foolishness, it
is generally not wise to try to talk to him. Such a discussion will go nowhere,
and the one who tries to carry on the discussion with the fool is in danger of
falling into the same foolishness. In other words, there are circumstances when
we are better off saying nothing.
At
other times, however, it can be helpful to answer a fool according to his
folly. Proverbs
26:5 says, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes”
(emphasis added). Although it was made an art form by the ancient Greek
philosophers, the Hebrews understood and in biblical teaching sometimes used
one of the most effective ways of arguing with another person. I am referring
to the reductio ad absurdum,
which reduces the other person’s argument to absurdity. By means of this
technique, it is possible to show a person the necessary, logical conclusion
that flows out of his argument, and so demonstrate that his premises lead
ultimately to an absurd conclusion. So, when a person has a foolish premise and
gives a foolish argument, it can at times be very effective to answer the fool
according to his folly. You step over onto his territory and say, “Okay, I’ll
take your position for argument’s sake, and I’m going to take it to its logical
conclusion and show you the foolishness of it.”
So,
the book of Proverbs is concerned to give us practical guidelines for daily
experience. It is a neglected treasure of the Old Testament, with untold riches
lying in wait in its pages to guide our lives. It holds real, concrete advice
that comes from the mind of God Himself. If we want wisdom, this is the
fountain from which to drink. He who is foolish will neglect this fountain. He
who is hungry for God’s wisdom will drink deeply from it. We need to listen to
the wisdom of God so that we can cut through the many distractions and
confusions of modern life. But, as with the entirety of the Word of God, we
need to be zealous to learn how to handle the book of Proverbs properly.
