Page 260 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

FLOTES - FOOLISH QUESTIONS

endeavor, because animals would have survived outside FLOWERS. Menstrual discharges (Le. 15:24, 33).
of the flood area. If Noah’s flood was not universal and FLUX. Dysentery (Ac. 28:8).
worldwide, the Bible account of the same is certainly a FODDER. Provender; feed (Job 6:5).
myth. Either we accept the Bible as the infallible Word
of God which it claims to be, and if we do, we accept FOLDEN. Folded (Na. 1:10).
what it says about a worldwide flood. Or we must adopt FOLK. People (Ge. 33:15; Je. 51:58).
the modernistic position that the Bible is man made. FOOL. The Bible defines the fool as one who (1) says
The middle of the road position that many scholarly there is no God (Ps. 14:1; 53:1), (2) despises wisdom
New Evangelicals take, that the Bible is the infallible and instruction (Pr. 1:7), (3) utters slanders (Pr. 10:18),
Word of God but is not correct in all that it says (4) despises his father’s instruction (Pr. 15:5), (5) does
scientifically, is impossible. not respond to discipline (Pr. 17:10), (6) has perverse
Third, the judgment of Noah’s day is compared with lips (Pr. 19:1), (7) returns to his folly (Pr. 26:11), (8)
the judgment of the last days (Mt. 24:37-39; 2 Pe. 3:6-7). trusts in his own heart (Pr. 28:26), (9) is full of words
Since we know that the last days judgment will be (Ec. 5:3; 10:14), (10) speaks foolishly (Pr. 15:2), (11)
universal and worldwide, we can assume the same was mocks at sin (Pr. 14:9). Jesus’ warning about calling
true for the first judgment. someone a fool (Mt. 5:21-24). It is not the use of the
Fourth, god promised that there would not be a flood word “fool” itself that is forbidden here, but the use of
like this again, yet there have been many large scale the word “fool” as an angry, hateful slander. Christ
regional floods. If the flood of Noah’s day were only a Himself called men fools on occasion; He publicly called
regional one, God’s promise has failed. In 1970, for the Pharisees fools (Mt. 23:17, 19; Lk. 11:40); and He
example, flooding in South Asia resulted in an estimated called the disciples fools when they did not believe His
one-half million deaths and left 3,500,000 homeless. If, resurrection (Lk. 24:25). God calls men fools when they
on the other hand, the flood of Noah’s day was universal act foolishly and wickedly (Ps. 14:1; 53:1; Lk. 12:20).
and worldwide, as the Bible plainly states, God’s The Apostle called certain ones fools who were
promise is true. questioning the bodily resurrection (1 Co. 15:36). The
context of the admonition in Mt. 5:21-24 gives the proper
There is geological evidence throughout the world meaning. Christ is addressing the issue of murder and is
which testifies to a universal flood. An excellent book on showing that the root of the problem is the heart, that it
this topic is The World That Perished: An Introduction to is really a matter of hatred and strife between men. It is
Biblical Catastrophism, John C. Whitcomb, Baker Book this problem that He is admonishing, not the general
House. As one wise man has said, if the Flood were not use of the term “fool.” The following verse confirms this
universal, it was the only egg-shaped flood that ever when He speaks of the importance of reconciliation (Mt.
occurred, because the Bible plainly says that the 5:23).
mountains were covered! [See Ark, Fable, False
Teaching, Inspiration, Noah, Prophecy, Rapture, Second FOOLISH QUESTIONS. The Bible warns about
Coming, Type.] “foolish questions” (2 Ti. 2:23; Tit. 3:9). The Bible also
says proper questions should be patiently answered
FLOTES. Rafts (2 Ch. 2:16). from the Word of God (2 Ti. 2:24-26). How can we
FLOURISH. To blossom; prosper (Ps. 72:7; 92:12). know if a question is foolish? Following are some
FLOWER. To be in the prime and spring of life; to characteristics of the foolish question: (1) A foolish
flourish; to be youthful, fresh, and vigorous (Webster) question is a question which produces strife and
(1 Sa. 2:33; 1 Co. 7:36). 1 Co. 7:36 refers to a young contention. 2 Ti. 2:23 says foolish questions “gender
woman who is past the marriageable age and remains strifes.” Tit. 3:9 connects foolish questions with
unmarried—referring to a daughter, or ward, or any “contentions and strivings.” When someone is not
unmarried female committed to a man’s care. “It is well sincere but only wants to argue against the Word of God
known that in the east it was regarded as peculiarly and to stir up strife and debate, the Christian is not to
dishonourable to remain unmarried; and the authority enter into such discussions. (2) A foolish question is a
of a father, therefore, might be the means of involving question which seeks to corrupt the Gospel. The Bible
his daughter in shame and disgrace (Barnes). “If any further defines foolish questions with “strivings about
man thinks he behaves unhandsomely towards his the law” (Tit. 3:9). The law was given to lead men to
daughter, and that it is not for her credit to remain the grace of Jesus Christ (Ro. 3:19-25; Ga. 3:1-14). It
unmarried, when she is of full age, and that upon this was not given to be a rule of life for the Christian; it was
principle it is needful to dispose of her in marriage, he not given so that the Christian could obey it and thereby
may use his pleasure. It is no sin in him to dispose of perfect his salvation. When men corrupt the gospel and
her to a suitable mate” (Matthew Henry). seek to bring converts back under the bondage of the

260 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity