fools for christ

paul's first letter to the corinthians continues to help me with my ezekiel koan. this morning the third chapter continues (vv.18-21a):

"Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’,
and again,
‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.’
So let no one boast about human leaders."

of course ezekiel probably seemed a fool not only often but always, lying on one side and the the other, contemplating a time decorated not with fleur-de-lis or lion's head, but with toy soldiers attacking a toy jerusalem, eating unclean food.
(ezekiel 4)

some of the other and more recent notable fools for christ include basil of moscow and john of san francisco.

i was intrigued and pleased to hear rowan of canterbury called a fool for christ. not only was i happy that someone recognizes that there is a need for this sort of profoundly prophetic ministry, but i was a bit surprised that alex kirby, the bbc writer who made this comparison of rowan williams, knew about fools for christ. would that some of the american news writers were so well-informed.