Follies are usually built as eye-catchers. They are thought to enhance a view; they can also be expressions of a well-to-do- landowner wishing to make his mark. Of the many such structures in England one was concerned with mathematical measurements and particularly measure members relating to the Trinity. Sir Thomas Tresham, a devout Catholic, was the man behind the scheme. It has three floors, triangular pinnacles, , equilateral triangles. It has 33’3’ sides and 33 letters to each Latin phrase. It is to be found in Rushton, Northamptonshire and was built in 1593-5.
Follies are structures of pretence. They serve no useful purpose. They are all show. But buildings make statements. Traherne’s tower certainly does that. The word ‘folly’ or the idea of caught Paul’s interest when he wrote to the Corinthian Church. He found that the believers there had become captivated by arguments about the faith. They had lined themselves up behind notable members of the congregation. Paul did not see this as the right way of going about things. God had sent Paul with a message to be spread ‘not with the skills of rhetoric’ (Paul could see what was coming in that respect) but in plain terms.
Another building that makes a statement is Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian. Since its mention in the Da Vinci Code visitors have flocked to the building with its secret boxes etc. It has been variously connected with the Holy Grail, the Templars and the Freemasons, though there is little evidence for this.
Paul made it clear that cleverness is not all. Clever argument is the Greek way of getting to the truth and Paul did not dismiss it. He merely pointed out its limitations. A clever man is not necessarily a good man. If we want to see what it is to be a good man, we should look at Jesus.
If we haves to choose between human wisdom and the folly of the cross, there can be no doubt about our choice. It has not been a repudiation of Plato or Aristotle that has been at work in European thought for centuries. The exemplary life, death and – as Christians believe – resurrection of Jesus has motivated men and women and still does.
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