Chapter 18
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6
The Bible loves animal metaphors. From lions and lambs to ants and eagles, animals show up to teach us about wisdom, strength, faith—and sometimes about ourselves.
So here’s a new one:
Are you a hedgehog or a fox?
This tricky question comes from philosopher Isaiah Berlin, who borrowed it from an ancient Greek proverb: “The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.” Berlin used this idea to divide thinkers into two camps:
- Hedgehogs have one central idea that shapes how they see everything. Think of Paul in the New Testament: his letters all circle around one big theme—God’s grace in Christ. Everything flows from that.
- Foxes, on the other hand, collect ideas like shiny pebbles. They’re curious, flexible, sometimes a little chaotic. Someone like Solomon comes to mind—a man of wisdom who offered insights from every angle but didn’t always tie them into one neat system.
Neither is better. Hedgehogs give us clarity and conviction. Foxes bring creativity and perspective. Hedgehogs build cathedrals of thought. Foxes throw unexpected parties in the middle of the forest.
The Church is full of both.
Martin Luther? Classic hedgehog—one big concept fiery truths nailed to the door.
Erasmus? Total fox—scholarly, witty, and always slipping out of theological boxes.
Even in daily life, we lean one way or the other. Some of us crave one clear truth to guide everything—others are always exploring, always learning. I’m also a hedgehog. I like neat systems, big ideas that explain it all. But the older I get, the more I appreciate the wisdom of the foxes—their ability to hold complexity and contradiction with grace.
So what about you?
Are you a hedgehog—driven by one clear vision that shapes how you see the world?
Or a fox—with ten tabs open in your brain, chasing connections from every direction?
Chances are, you’re a bit of both. Great! The world needs deep conviction and wide curiosity. There’s plenty of room in God’s story for both foxes and hedgehogs.
Wishing you a curious, courageous start to the week!
Philemon
Source: Inspired by Andrew Wilson, paraphrased and adapted by warapunga