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Andy Crouch – The Tech-Wise Family — A Review

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Andy Crouch. The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2017. 224 pp. $11.00.

Modern families who care about their children must consider how technology impacts their lives. Andy Crouch recognizes this truth, and shares with us some strategies that he and his family have tried to implement in order to manage the challenges of 21st century living.

I read this book upon my wife’s recommendation. She had heard Any Crouch on a podcast, and she thought that his book could offer our family some well-needed guidance. We have 3 little ones in our home, all of whom love their devices. How can we help to keep our house from becoming one of those places where a family communicates more through texts than through conversation?

Crouch offers some lovely and lively looks into his family and their decision-making process regarding technology. Perhaps the greatest benefit of this book is that Crouch suggests a God-centered approach to keeping all of the parts of life in their place. It is wise for a family to determine how, when, and where they wish to use technology. Once those decisions are made, it is helpful for a family to structure their home, even in its shape, so as to make this strategy more possible to pull off.

One example is that the Crouch family has made parts of their home sort of tech-free zones. In those places, the family makes sure to have other things available to occupy minds. Musical instruments, art supplies, and books to read help make certain parts of a home places where a child may not feel the immediate pull of a device on his or her young mind.

Another beauty of this book is that it is not a couple hundred pages of horror stories. Yes, there is a chapter on the dangers of sexually explicit content on the Internet. But even that chapter does a great job of pointing out that the heart behind being careful here is a heart of godliness.

The weakness in this book is a weakness that I find almost unavoidable in such a work. Crouch, as he shares his family’s standards, can tend toward a tone of legalism. For example, the book demonstrates a Sabbatarian shape, and the rules that he promotes regarding tech and the Sabbath are surely not for everybody. At the same time, as a non-Sabbatarian, I find Crouch’s handling of that theological topic unconvincing.

Other categories of Crouch family rules could be made legalistic if readers are not discerning. The author tells us of their family standard of 1 hour per day, 1 day per week, and 1 week per year when technology is put away. This is a good practice, but readers will need to be careful not to receive it as a universal rule. Similarly, the Crouch family tries to avoid tech while in the car. Again, this is a good rule, but it may not work for every family.

If you can read this book without receiving recommendations as rules, The Tech-Wise Family will be of great help. The ideas are creative. The concept of having everything in its place is wise. And, for sure, Christian families need to do some very real thinking about how to manage their technology instead of letting their technology manage them.

Perseverance of the Saints: Better than Once Saved Always Saved

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I grew up knowing that a genuine Christian could not lose his or her salvation. Though I could not explain the doctrine, I had it taught to me time and time again. A real believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a truly forgiven sinner, could not turn from the Lord so as to fall again under God’s condemnation. And I often heard that doctrine expressed as the security of the believer or in the colloquial, “Once saved always saved.”

In truth, I believe still that any person who is a genuine believer is once saved and always saved. But I think that expression is misleading. The idea that a person is saved through the simple response to an invitation after a sermon and the praying of a prayer leads to the abuse of the biblical doctrine that tells us that the genuinely saved remain in Christ. It is maligned by those who disagree with the doctrine as being licentious, permitting a person to pray a prayer and then live however they want.

The problem with an overly simplified doctrine of security is that we lose the language and thought of the Scripture as we speak of it. We get pithy in our claims, and we begin to say things that are true, or tru-ish, but which do not contain the full counsel of God on the issue.

Consider the words of Paul in Philippians 3. I believe wholeheartedly that Paul knew that he was saved. Paul knew that he could not be eternally lost. Christ had made him alive, forgiven his sins, and granted him a place with Christ for eternity. Paul had no doubt about his salvation. But Paul did not speak of his salvation with a casual line like once saved always saved.

Philippians 3:12-16 – 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

In this section of Scripture, Paul has been talking about his wonderful religious pedigree in Judaism. If anybody could have earned salvation through obedience to the law, by being born into the right family and performing the right rituals, Paul could have done so. But Paul knew this would not save him. He knew that all he thought had been gain for his life before Christ was really garbage when it came to earning salvation. So, as Paul says in this passage, he forgets what is behind him and looks forward.

Twice in this section, Paul describes his Christian life as pressing on. Paul strains toward the Lord. But we know that Paul has nothing to do with a self-earned, works righteousness. His letter to the Galatians is proof enough of that. Yet, the same apostle who says in Ephesians that we are saved by grace through faith here says that he strains toward the goal, pressing on to win the prize.

This language is a help to us to show that the better way to talk about our security in Christ as Christians is the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. You see, the biblical wording is never such that you get saved, and then you let go of any thought of repentance or effort. No, your efforts will never contribute to your salvation. Neither will your efforts contribute to your being kept by God. But, a truly saved person will, through the course of his or her life, put forth effort to honor the Lord. True Christians persevere, striving toward Christ.

This doctrine makes sense when you consider what truly happens in our salvation. When we were lost, our hearts opposed the Lord and the things of God. We were saved when God transformed those dead hearts to living hearts, causing us to be born again and to respond to him in faith. Suddenly, hearts that were against God now desire God. And so, genuine Christians press toward God, because our new hearts now have a gracious, God-given desire to know and to please God. We persevere in the faith because of the supernatural transformation that takes place at salvation.

Of course, this is not always a steady process. True Christians can go through seasons of doubt or rebellion. But a person with a truly changed heart by God will eventually return to the Lord. True believers will persevere, being kept by God, kept in faith, for a salvation that is unbreakable.

Some who talk of this doctrine also use the term, the preservation of the saints. That too is biblical language, as God is the one who truly, sovereignly keeps us. He loses none of his own, but raises them up on the last day.

Thus, what we see about our salvation is a beautiful, two-sided truth. We press on, straining toward the Lord, and persevere in our faith. Paul says mature believers all think like this. We also rejoice in the promise that God guards our salvation (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus, we know that “once saved always saved” is true, but it is a scant description of a bigger and better doctrine, the perseverance of the saints.

A misinterpreted Proverb We Need to Reclaim

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Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.

I have often heard the first have of this verse ripped out of context in a dangerous way. It is usually quoted from the King James, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Then the one quoting it will use it as a tool to preach a sort of visionary leadership. Perhaps the person will be charismatic, and will be leading the people to listen to his own personal visions. Or perhaps the person is a pastor who wants to control his congregation by claiming that he is the visionary they must follow or perish.

The problem is that we are not letting the verse do what proverbs are supposed to do. This is a great example of an antithetical parallel. The verse has two halves that are intended to contrast. This is nothing new. A great many proverbs say to us, If A then something bad, but if B, then something good. A and B in that example are contrary positions that lead to very different outcomes.

Keep the antithetical parallelism in mind with this verse. When there is no prophetic vision, something bad is coming. What is the opposite? Is the biblically given opposite a call for charismatic giftings or visionary leadership? The verse says in the second half, “but blessed is he who keeps the law.” The good side of the parallel is that the blessing of God is on the one, not who has a vision, not who has a visionary leader, but on the one who keeps the law of God. Stop, think that through, and then move on.

The proverb is not telling us to seek out new prophets or find visionary leadership. The proverb is telling us that if we do not want to perish, we must be people who cling to and obey the word of God. The word of God rightly taught and applied is the prophetic vision that prevents the people from perishing. Wise people who want to spiritually live love the word of God and keep it. That is the point of this proverb.

So, please, dear friends, if you hear someone use this proverb out of context, be ready to help. It does not take a lot of exegetical heavy lifting to get it right. Just draw out the parallels and show that the issue here is that people perish when the pastor turns from Scripture, not when he lacks charismatic gifts or modern, visionary leadership skills.

How We Look Like Fools Today

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Are you a fool? Do not think that a funny question. When the Bible calls you a fool, it is a very big deal. Fools oppose God. Fools are destined for destruction. And, in the book of Proverbs, we see things that show that our current culture is producing fools at an alarming rate.

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Just consider the above verse in the light of modern discourse. A wise person keeps his or her emotions in check. A fool gives full vent to his or her emotions, thoughts, frustrations, etc. Think about that comparison, and ask yourself if you more often look like a wise person or a fool.

Our society seems built today on people lashing out screaming and shouting, and spilling every emotion that we feel. Universities have developed safe spaces for students to cry and snuggle teddy bears if they hear any thought with which they disagree. Those same universities allow those same students to scream at, curse at, physically threaten, and shout down speakers who present an opposing worldview.

And we could look at a hundred other arenas. Look at the Internet and social media. Who is not venting their spirit? Look at political debate and show me a man or woman behaving with decorum. Show me any form of modern entertainment that does not make its money on people spouting off whatever they feel at the time.

We have become, as a nation, a society of fools. We have lost decorum. WE have relinquished self-control. We have stopped calling for people to control their emotions and consider their words before they speak them or write them.

But, thanks be to God, there is still godly wisdom. Christians, may we learn to uphold it. May we be wise, obedient to the word of God, following the commands of Scripture and the example of Christ. May we be people who learn to speak with thought before emotion. May we be people who learn to behave with a decorum that pleases the Lord. May we be a people who refuse to sink to the level of the world around us.

And, Christian, test yourself. Have you given into the world’s thinking on your venting of your spirit? Have you bought into the lie that, if you feel something strongly, you have to let it out? The word of God never gives us the pressure-cooker-model of emotions. Instead, the word of God calls us to tame our feelings, to think before we speak, and to control our expression. If you are one who regularly blows up at your family, at your friends, or at strangers, you are acting a fool. Plead with the Lord to help you live out Christlike wisdom.

Saul and a Ghost

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On the eve of King Saul’s final battle, he found himself in a bad place. The Philistines had outmaneuvered him and his forces. The battle ground would not be to Israel’s advantage. And, worst of all, God was no longer on Saul’s side.

The king was in a pickle. The prophet, Samuel, was dead. The Lord was not speaking to Saul through other means. And so what would he do?

King Saul went and sought out a medium, a woman who claimed to be able to communicate with the dead. Saul figured that if God was not talking, he would try to get the woman to communicate with the spirit of Samuel so the dead prophet could tell him what to do.

Of course, God says that the practice of trying to communicate with the dead, tell fortunes, and all the rest is evil (cf. Leviticus 19:31). So it is a little odd that Saul, wanting to hear from God, would pick a particular plan that offends the Lord from the start.

What is even more interesting is that God does something rather odd here. God actually allows something to happen when the medium tries to call out the spirit of Samuel. We cannot say for sure whether this was really Samuel’s spirit, or perhaps a spirit allowed to simulate Samuel, but either way, something supernatural happened. This was clearly a surprise, as the woman, the medium, was totally stunned and afraid when the spirit showed up. She apparently was used to duping people with parlor tricks. When a real “ghost” came into the room, it shocked her.

But if the medium was afraid, think of how Saul must have felt after the response he got.

1 Samuel 28:15-19 – 15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

This is all crazy, of course, but the one thing that just bounces around my brain here is the fact that Saul knew he was in trouble with God. Saul knew that God was not answering him. And, yet, when Saul knew all this, he did not repent. Nor did he seek mercy from God. Instead, he ran to a medium, an abomination in the land of Israel, to try to force Samuel’s ghost to tell him how he might succeed.

So, all of that just adds to the weight of human hubris we see in Saul, and the sad weight of hubris we see in ourselves. It is human nature, when we do not get what we want from God, to attempt to manipulate God. It is human nature to try to turn to false religion and superstition when we want to learn a tip from God for facing the future. It is part of our sinful core to ignore the commands of God and take matters into our own sinful hands. WE do that stuff instead of doing what God’s word says: repent, submit to God, obey his commands, fall on his mercy.

Before you and I judge Saul harshly, let’s remember that we have the same nature. When our churches are not as big as we want, what worldly things will we turn to rather than simply trusting the Lord and his word? When we are caught in a sin, how many of us would double-down and lie about it rather than confess and seek forgiveness? When you treat your spouse wrongly, how often do you offend the Lord more by looking for an excuse for your sinful behavior instead of seeking biblical reconciliation?

OK, maybe you do not try to conjure up a ghost for advice—I hope you don’t. But, if you and I turn to sinful comforts and sinful practices when we are not getting what we want from God, I wonder how different we are from the foolish king who sought out a medium for a powwow with a poltergeist rather than simply repenting and refusing to move anywhere other than where the word of God commands?

Schreiner – Run to Win the Prize — A Review

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Thomas R. Schreiner. Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance in the New Testament. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010. 128 pp. $10.61.

The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is an important teaching in the word of God. At the same time, this doctrine is often misunderstood or caricatured to the detriment of those who misunderstand it. Thomas Schreiner, author and seminary professor, attempts to clarify this doctrine in a simple and accessible way in Run to Win the Prize.

Run to Win the Prize is a condensed and simplified version of a larger work entitled The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance by Schreiner and Caneday. At the same time, Run to Win the Prize is an attempt by Schreiner to respond to some misconceptions about the conclusions of the larger and more exhaustive work on the topic. But readers need not fear that this shorter version is unhelpful. Schreiner uses the smaller book size to great effect as he helps readers to consider some very important perspectives on perseverance.

First, Schreiner insists that the New Testament does teach perseverance. He argues that a person genuinely saved by God will remain saved. At no point does Schreiner allow for a view that holds that we keep ourselves saved by good works—a form of legalistic works righteousness. Nor does Schreiner ever offer a view that Christians who are genuine Christians can ever end up ultimately lost.

Sometimes, when people hear a strong message of eternal security for the saved, they will respond with a twisting caricature of the doctrine. Opponents will claim that a person can pray a prayer, be saved, and then live however sinfully they want without consequence. Schreiner’s work speaks boldly against this view by arguing that the warning passages in Scripture are very real, very serious, and intended for believers.

Many Christians interpret passages such as the opening verses of Hebrews 6 as passages intended for people considering Christianity, but who are not yet converted. They, if they turn from grace, will be lost. Others suggest that the warning texts teach that someone can lose their salvation by intentionally walking away. Schreiner offers a third option.

Schreiner suggests that the warning passages are genuinely for Christians. He argues that the passages say exactly what they want to say, warning that a believer who intentionally turns from Christ and walks away will be lost. But Schreiner adds the biblical perspective that no genuine believer actually will make such a turn against the Lord. Schreiner argues that the warnings, genuine warnings, are means that the Lord uses to keep genuine believers. Like warnings on bottles of poison that declare to a person, “If you drink this you will die,” the warnings in Scripture, Schreiner argues, tell believers that if they turn from Jesus they will die. And, Schreiner argues, just as you and I would never drink the poison because of the warning, neither will genuine Christians ever turn against Christ so as to fall away eternally.

Schreiner also addresses briefly the misconception that an understanding of the doctrine of perseverance of the saints leads to a Wesleyan doctrine of perfectionism. The author is clear that he is not in any way teaching any form of sinless perfection among saints before the eschaton. Instead, he argues that believers are warned by God and kept by God. Believers will grow and be sanctified. But Believers will not be perfected until they leave this life.

I found Run to Win the Prize to be thoughtful, encouraging, and helpful. Personally, I am not certain that I agree with Dr. Schreiner regarding the audience for all of the warning passages. I believe it is possible that some of the passages are for those who have been exposed to Christianity, are considering it, are understanding its truth, but who are tempted to reject Jesus and walk to the Jewish temple religion (obviously pre AD 70). But, even if I disagree there, I must be humble enough to allow Dr. Schreiner to cause me to think my conclusions through thoroughly.

For sure, this book is a great help for believers in showing us that a true understanding of eternal security, perseverance of the saints, does not do away with our call to obedience and sanctification. Schreiner’s book sounds a clear call for all saints to recognize that God warns us sternly to remain in the faith, and God works in us, even using those warnings, to keep us in the faith.

Offending God with Prayer

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There are lots of people who pray. In our world, when a tragedy strikes or when a person simply wants to say that they are a friend to another person, suggesting that, “I’ll pray for you.,” or something similar is common.

At the same time, there are many people who will tell you that they find prayer to be an important part of their lives. People who do not worship the Lord with the people of God in a church, people who do not know or love the word of God, people who value the things of the world around them are still people who will say that they pray. And I am sure they do.

But what does God think of it when a person who does not know him, who does not follow him, who will not obey him, decides to pray?

Proverbs 28:9

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his prayer is an abomination.

Those words from the Scripture are strong and significant. God has told us through a book about wisdom that a person who turns away from hearing the word of God, a person who will not follow the Scripture, might indeed pray. But that person’s prayers will be—get this and don’t miss it—an abomination.

God is not a fan of empty religion. God is not a fan of empty religious expression. God is even clear that he is not the least bit open-minded about this. God has a way that he will be approached. And God has every right to say that, if a person approaches him in a way that actually opposes him, he will not accept it.

Let us not assume that all religious expression is good. Nor let us think that all prayers please the Lord. If a person is against the word of God, their prayers offend God.

The solution here is not to be offended by the fact that God will not do things our way. Instead, the solution is to submit to the Lord by submitting to his word. The God who made us is the Lord. he is our Master, Creator, and Judge. He is a merciful Father to all who will come to him in faith and repentance through Jesus Christ. But he is clear that he is not at all required to accept us through any other path. His word tells us to come to Jesus in faith for salvation. Prayers of those who reject the Lord, reject his Son, and reject his word are not things that please him.

How the Mighty Have Fallen: A Call for Character as We Respond to the Paige Patterson Situation

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What do you do when those who oppose you are hurt or defeated? How do you react when those who would make themselves your enemies are put in their place? Do you rejoice? Do you sing?

David sang when King Saul met his end. But when David sang at the death of Saul, it was not a song of celebration. Even though Saul had chased him and attempted to murder him, David sang in genuine sorrow over the death of the king.

2 Samuel 1:17-19 – 17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:
19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!

It is interesting that, in our world, the snippet of this Scripture passage that is well known is the phrase, “How the mighty have fallen!” You hear that line in the mouths of movie characters quite often. Unfortunately the line is often delivered with a sneer. Good guys or bad guys in the movies like to rejoice when people on the other side get their comeuppance.

But if we were to handle this rightly and learn from David’s example, we would learn that, even when those who were our enemies face their ends, we should experience grief. Even when the evil schemes of mean-spirited people are exposed, we should not rejoice in their pain. Of course we can and should rejoice when justice is done and when righteousness prevails. But, when people hurt, when people fall, when people die, our hearts should also have in them a sorrow for the fact that people had to come to judgment rather than repentance.

To risk a politically charged example, I think to myself of how some are likely responding to the recent removal of Paige Patterson as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Patterson’s pattern of incautious comments and the offense they caused as they were seen together made it impossible for the trustees of the seminary to keep Patterson as the school’s head. I’ll not speak to other accusations of cover-ups and the rest, as I know nothing and have no right to suspect things.

The reason I bring up Patterson, however, is the fact that there will be many on the Internet who will celebrate. Patterson has certainly not always been kind or fair in his criticisms of others. He has often spoken of the reformed or of Calvinists with a smug dismissal. I have heard him say things regarding the exegesis of biblical passages that I believe he has to know are untenable. And the harsh edge of those sorts of comments has certainly widened the divide between Patterson and those with whom he disagrees. Thus, there may be many who would, with a sneer, say, “How the mighty have fallen.”

But, Christians, let us remember that there is nothing godly about rejoicing in the fall of a brother in Christ. While we may think that the seminary trustees of SWBTS have done the right thing, there is nothing godly about somebody doing a little Internet victory dance. There is nothing godly about rejoicing in something that has brought so much hurt to many Southern Baptists who are deeply upset by Patterson’s removal.

Let’s learn from David. When a person who has opposed us falls, let us mourn. It would be so much nicer to see those who oppose us turn from that opposition and graciously change their views. It would be beautiful to have people live with character, above reproach, and with biblical fidelity in all things. But neither we nor those who think we are nuts actually live in perfect faithfulness. I’m sure that I will find, before my life comes to an end, that there are doctrinal issues I’ve missed. I would far rather have the Lord bring me to change gently than for him to have to bring my life and ministry crashing down. And If I would want the Lord to change me gently, how could I ever rejoice when a brother in Christ, flawed like me, is hit hard with the consequences of his own actions? May we give the grace that we wish to receive. May we always take the high road. May we lament at the fall of anyone, especially those who are genuine believers, regardless of whether or not they have been nice to us or our positions.

In this, I am not at all defending anyone. I believe that, in the case of Paige Patterson, his removal from the seminary presidency was overdue. But I can also mourn for the hurt all this has caused and pray that God use this time of sorrow at SWBTS and the SBC for good as he works out his plans for his glory. And I can pray that God have mercy on us all, as it is only the grace of God that keeps any of us from sinful self-destruction.

A Lesson from Shouting Good Morning

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Some proverbs are funny. They make sense, and you can just picture their truth in action. Here is one.

Proverbs 27:14 – Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.

The proverb makes total sense. If you tell your neighbor good morning, with a really loud voice, early in the morning, it will not be something he receives well. As the proverb tells us, it will be taken as a curse.

So is all we are to learn from this verse the fact that yelling at somebody when the sun is barely up is not a good idea? No, I do not think so. I think, behind this text, is a more important life principle. If you wish to show someone kindness, it is wise to learn what they can receive from you as kindness.

Husbands, what does your wife love? If your wife is into flowers and pretty things, and you give her a gift of a new power saw, it is likely that your gift will not be well-received. At the same time, it may be that your wife would far rather you mop the floor and load the dishwasher than buy her a plant. The point is to learn to show love and kindness in what she will appreciate. And it does not take much imagination to turn the tables and ask wives to think about what their husbands actually receive well.

The big principle here is one of love and others-centeredness. When you wish to love another person well, do them good. When you wish to bless them, do so in a way that they are actually likely to take as a blessing. To give to another person, but to only do so in ways that you like and they do not, is not often loving. Of course, love requires that we correct each other and confront each other, and none of us enjoys that. But, when you are trying for kindness and graciousness, think about the other person’s desires first.

Shouting at me at 4:00 in the morning is not something I will enjoy, even if you are saying something nice. Neither will I be overly grateful if you tell me that I’ve just won a nice basket of mushrooms—I don’t like them. Let us learn from such things to love one another well by learning to care for one another with what is best received.

To Respond or not to Respond, That is the Question

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What do you do when you see someone write something or say something foolish? Do you respond? Do you feed the trolls? Or do you let it go? What is the wise choice?

Thankfully, God gave us the book of Proverbs to know what is the wise thing to do. Take a peek at these verses, and you’ll see.

Proverbs 26:4-5

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own eyes.

OK, perhaps that may not feel as helpful as you think. But it shows us something very true about living in our fallen world. Those two verses give us seemingly opposite counsel. And that is the point.

If you answer a fool according to his folly, if you sink to his level, you will end up like him. That is the idea of not feeding the trolls on the Internet. But if you refuse to answer a fool, he may decide that he is so smart, so wise, that he does not learn. And now you just do not know what to do.

The point, I think, is that there is no clean way to deal with a fool. If you answer, you can get in trouble. If you do not answer, you can get in trouble. Fools make life impossible to live without trouble; that is the point.

So, when thinking about answering someone, think and pray well. Ask God to help you with wisdom. Think and think again, and then choose how to respond.

An even better lesson is this: Don’t be that guy. Do not be a fool. Do not be the kind of person it is impossible to answer.