Fool's Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion

I struggled to find a title for this wonderful read because the true meaning of The Fool has been lost on us historically since Shakespearean days. Fortunately , we have an excellent model today in JP Sears who not only portrays the fool superbly himself, but who understands the need for this role in our world’s perilous predicament of the ruling elite stripping away our, the “commoner’s,” basic rights. Os Guinness masterfully reveals the character of the Fool and how playing this role allows one not only to be able to gain entrance into places normally guarded or unattainable , but to hopefully usher insight to those in positions of authority who wield decision making power over us. The Fool was needed by the King as a mirror. It was the only way the tyrannical ruler could potentially see himself for who he really was... as a selfish despot. As one presently involved on a local level politically where this tyranny is being played out, I have found this book especially valuable because Os’ premise is that we are now in a post-Christian Era—where common sense, logic, reasoning, civility, and morality are no longer givens. In order to speak into society, we need new tools. Os succinctly , and with his well known apologist style, hands us these tools with a grin, and maybe even a King David madman’s dribble so that we can understand how to gain access into the darkest places, “ for such a time as this.”