The Proverb Contradiction?

Note: This post includes constant use of the biblical term, "fool". Keep in mind that, as Proverbs presents the fool, it is not a term signifying the stupidity of a person. This isn't an intellectual admonition. Rather, it is a moral one. There are many "fools" today who believe there is no God (Psalm 14:1). Doesn't mean they're dumb, as some are brilliant (in the terms of the world). But they are wrong. The fool is one who lacks godly wisdom. 

Proverbs 26:5 - Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Proverbs 26:6 - Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Houston, we (seemingly) have a problem. Addressing this confusing juxtaposition becomes more than just a "what do I do?" situation. I think it begs the question of how we interpret the Scripture. Now I'm standing in the tradition of "inerrancy" as some like to call it. This is the belief that the Scripture in its original autographs is completely true and free from error (in my view). Textual criticism sheds light on how the version that we have today relates to those original autographs and from what I've seen, the numerous textual variants found in the thousands of manuscripts of the New Testament*, specifically, don't have significant theological implications so I can pretty comfortably say that what we've got today is what we should be working with. But anyways, with that frame of reference, many fall into the trap of being too simplistic when it comes to facing passages like this. "Wait...it's telling me to do opposing things. Which do I do?" Panic ensues. But this is also why we have the guiding light of the Holy Spirit. After doing a little bit of Greek exegesis of Romans and the Gospel of John, I've been exposed to the WIDE swath of interpretations when it comes to Scripture and it humbles me constantly. Thus I come to the Scripture with that mindset, not "Let's see what I can pull out of this", but "What does God want to show me through this?".

With that in mind, what do these verses in Proverbs mean?I would posit that they should be looked at with special attention paid to their consequences. Which is more likely in a conversation: You appearing like a fool or him being wise in his own eyes? I think there are some issues where we just have to shut fools down. For example, if there is false doctrine being taught in the church, shut it down. (Well, this doesn't necessarily mean you jump up in the middle of the service, denouncing the teacher. Which is also not to say that there aren't times where you should do that. Thank God we've got the Holy Spirit to help us discern these things as a community.) But every instance that you come into contact with a fool is not necessarily one where you loudly admonish the fool for being that way. This is where discernment comes in (both in interpretation of Scripture and in your everyday interactions.) In some cases, it is necessary to speak up and in others, it is much more beneficial to stay quiet. I unfortunately can't really give examples because there are a lot of possibilities, but the gist of these verses, as I see it, is that there is a range of response. It's an ambiguity. And when you read the Bible, you run into a lot of that. But we've got to be comfortable with that.

There are numerous things that the Bible is crystal clear about. But there are other times where it causes a little head-scratching. The writer of 2 Peter said as much: "Count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."(2 Peter 3:15-6) This stuff's not the easiest stuff to handle. After all, it is the Word of God. But as Christians, we don't really have a choice but to handle it. And we also have the responsibility to handle it rightly. So when you've got an interpretation of the Bible that seems/feels different or wonky in any way, bring it to the community. Because the Word of God is not just effective on the individual, but it, like the Holy Spirit and like the blood of Christ, was poured out and continually works among the community of the saints, the body of Christ.

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-8)


*Props for us having the literally the best documented ancient text of literally all ancient texts. Go, New Testament!