Topical Encyclopedia
The term "irrational" refers to thoughts, actions, or behaviors that lack reason or logical coherence. In a biblical context, irrationality often manifests as a departure from divine wisdom and understanding, leading to folly and sin. The Bible frequently contrasts the wisdom of God with the folly of human reasoning when it is not aligned with divine truth.
Biblical Examples of Irrationality:1.
The Foolishness of Idolatry: The Bible often describes idolatry as an irrational act. In
Isaiah 44:19-20 , the prophet highlights the absurdity of worshiping a carved image: "No one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, 'I burned half of it in the fire; I even baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?' He feeds on ashes. A deluded heart has led him astray; he cannot deliver himself, nor say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"
2.
The Rejection of God’s Wisdom: Proverbs frequently contrasts wisdom with folly, illustrating the irrationality of rejecting God's guidance.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse underscores the irrationality of ignoring divine wisdom, which is foundational to true understanding.
3.
The Behavior of the Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' repeated disobedience and lack of faith during their journey in the wilderness serve as examples of irrational behavior. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, they often doubted God's provision and protection. In
Numbers 14:11 , the LORD says to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?"
4.
The Foolishness of Human Wisdom: The Apostle Paul addresses the irrationality of relying solely on human wisdom in
1 Corinthians 1:20-21 : "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."
The Consequences of Irrationality:The Bible warns of the consequences of irrational behavior, particularly when it involves turning away from God.
Romans 1:21-22 describes the descent into irrationality as a result of rejecting God: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools."
The Call to Rational Faith:Scripture calls believers to a rational faith grounded in the truth of God's Word.
Romans 12:2 encourages believers to renew their minds: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves aligning one's thoughts and actions with divine wisdom, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of irrationality.
Conclusion:The Bible presents irrationality as a departure from God's wisdom, often leading to sin and folly. Through Scripture, believers are called to embrace a rational faith that seeks understanding and alignment with God's will, thereby avoiding the consequences of irrational behavior.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Lacking reason or understanding; as, brutes are irrational animals.
2. (a.) Not according to reason; absurd; foolish.
3. (a.) Not capable of being exactly expressed by an integral number, or by a vulgar fraction; surd; -- said especially of roots. See Surd.
Greek
249. alogos -- without reason... Adjective Transliteration: alogos Phonetic Spelling: (al'-og-os) Short Definition:
unreasonable, senseless Definition: without reason,
irrational; contrary to
...3913. paraphronia -- madness
... from 3844 , "contrary-beside" and 5424 , "internal perspective behavior") -- properly,
thinking " oneself," madness; insane (irrational) behavior, describing...
3130. mania -- frenzy, madness
... insanity. Cognate: 3130 (root of English terms like "maniac, mania") --
madness;irrational rage (temporary insanity). See 3105 ()....
Library
Whether it is Lawful to Adjure anIrrational Creature?
... OF THE TAKING OF GOD'S NAME BY WAY OF ADJURATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful to adjure anirrational creature? Objection...
Whether Consent is to be Found inIrrational Animals?
... OF CONSENT, WHICH IS AN ACT OF THE WILL IN REGARD TO THE MEANS (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether consent is to be found inirrational animals?...
Whether Choice is to be Found inIrrational Animals?
... OF CHOICE, WHICH IS AN ACT OF THE WILL WITH REGARD TO THE MEANS (SIX ARTICLES)
Whether choice is to be found inirrational animals?...
Whether it is Lawful to Curse anIrrational Creature?
... OF CURSING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to curse anirrational
creature? Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful...
Whether Command Belongs toIrrational Animals?
... OF THE ACTS COMMANDED BY THE WILL (NINE ARTICLES) Whether command belongs toirrational
animals?... Therefore command is to be found inirrational animals....
Whether Intention is Within the Competency ofIrrational Animals?
... OF INTENTION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether intention is within the competency of
irrational animals? Objection 1: It would seem thatirrational...
Whether Use is to be Found inIrrational Animals?
... OF USE, WHICH IS AN ACT OF THE WILL IN REGARD TO THE MEANS (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether use is to be found inirrational animals? Objection...
WhetherIrrational Creatures Also Ought to be Loved Out of Charity...
... OF THE OBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whetherirrational creatures also
ought to be loved out of charity? Objection 1: It would...
Of the Nature ofIrrational and Lifeless Creatures, which in their...
... Book XII. Chapter 4."Of the Nature ofIrrational and Lifeless Creatures, Which in
Their Own Kind and Order Do Not Mar the Beauty of the Universe....
Whether There is Anything Voluntary inIrrational Animals?
... ON HUMAN ACTS: ACTS PECULIAR TO MAN (QQ -21)OF THE VOLUNTARY AND THE INVOLUNTARY
(EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether there is anything voluntary inirrational animals?...
Thesaurus
Irrational (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Lacking reason or understanding; as, brutes are
irrational animals.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Irrational (3 Occurrences).
...Brute (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not possessing reason,irrational; unthinking; as, a brute beast; the brute
creation. 3. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast....
Brutish (12 Occurrences)
... broot, brootish (ba`ar, "stupid"; alogos, "without speech," hence,irrational,
unreasonable (Acts 25:27 2 Peter 2:12 Jude 1:10 the King James Version)): The...
Cosmological
... in their "modes"; Hegel, "absolute spirit," evolving by logical necessity); some
are pessimistic (Schopenhauer-the world the result of anirrational act of...
World (2829 Occurrences)
... in their "modes"; Hegel, "absolute spirit," evolving by logical necessity); some
are pessimistic (Schopenhauer-the world the result of anirrational act of...
Unreasonable (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not reasonable;irrational; immoderate; exorbitant.
Multi-Version Concordance Unreasonable (3 Occurrences)....
Irpeel (1 Occurrence)
Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence)
Railingly (2 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:10 But these, whatever things they know not, they speak railingly against;
but what even, as theirrational animals, they understand by mere nature, in...
Regular (95 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Governed by rule or rules; steady or uniform in course, practice, or occurrence;
not subject to unexplained orirrational variation; returning at...
Resources
Why are people irrational? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christian fanaticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Islamophobia? What is an Islamophobe? | GotQuestions.orgIrrational: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
