Taking his title from the satire by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (published in 1515), David Lutzweiler’s, The Praise of Folly: The Enigmatic Life and Theology of C. I. Scofield is a meaningful book on the life and theology of one of 18th century’s most notable—and controversial—theologians. Lutzweiler’s main objective was to referee between previous biographers who were oftentimes hyper critical of Scofield because of his beliefs over against other authors who glossed over some troubling facts of his early life. Nevertheless, the reader must decide how successful Lutzweiler was in accomplishing his "unbiased" biography.

Some of the more shocking details Lutzweiler reveals includes the fact that Scofield was a "swindler" who spent time in prison for illicit behavior and who subsequently abandoned his first Roman Catholic wife and children. Scofield later attempted to seek reconciliation but his wife refused and filed for divorce on the grounds of desertion and for not providing for the welfare of their children. Other sordid details are brought to light covering his pre and post conversion experience.

In reviewing the theology of C. I. Scofield, Lutzeiler argues that Scofield was not always a serious scholar or faithful to the original intent of the Scripture in certain critical texts. After examining Scofield’s, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, Lutzweiler notes the misunderstanding of the word "dividing" in 2 Timothy 2:15. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Commenting on this text Scofield says, "The Word of Truth, then, has right divisions, and it must be evident that, as one cannot be ‘a workman that needed not to be ashamed’ without observing them, so any study of that Word which ignores those divisions must be in large measure profitless and confusing."

The problem, however, is that in context the apostle Paul did not have in mind various divisions of Scripture to be understood according to a sevenfold dispensational scheme (as Scofield later popularized through his writings), but rather, that a minister must properly handle God’s Word. That is, the text of Sacred Scripture must be understood properly in its immediate context and read through the author's original intent without imposing upon the words what one wants them to say for one compelling reason--it is, after all, the very words of God. Lutzeiler further notes, "The word’s emphasis is on the "straightness" of the cut – i.e., the competency of the workman – and not on the fact that the cutting results in separate pieces of material, or "divisions" in it…. no one in the entire history of the church ever understood the word in the sense that Scofield gave it in this booklet."

Though some have been blessed by the life and legacy of C. I. Scofield, many more have been confused and misled as to what constitutes the historic faith of the church and what the Scriptures actually teach regarding Israel, the Church, the great tribulation, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, and much more. Scofield and others have given to the Christian world a system of theology that is often at open variance to the historic faith that was once delivered to the saints. His life and teachings are worthy of reconsideration--and this book will help one make that start.