“How he reasoned with diverse Greeks and Philosophers at the ‘outer’ mountain” / From The Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius

Not only is the script for El Tonto Por Cristo drawn from the lives of holy fools but Josh David Jordan’s script also draws extensively from the Western and Eastern Christian monastic traditions. This short excerpt from The Life of St. Anthony, who is credited with beginning the ascetic, monastic tradition, sheds light on how foolishness in the face of every day reason was the ultimate tool when confronting an enchanted realm of unseen powers.

'Why, philosophers, did ye trouble yourselves so much to come to a foolish man?'
And when they said that he was not a foolish man …

“And Antony also was exceeding prudent, and the wonder was that although he had not learned letters, he was a ready-witted and sagacious man. At all events two Greek philosophers once came, thinking they could try their skill on Antony; and he was in the outer mountain, and having recognised who they were from their appearance, he came to them and said to them by means of an interpreter, 'Why, philosophers, did ye trouble yourselves so much to come to a foolish man?' And when they said that he was not a foolish man, but exceedingly prudent, he said to them, ' If you came to a foolish man, your labour is superfluous; but if you think me prudent become as I am, for we ought to imitate what is good. And if I had come to you I should have imitated you; but if you to me, become as I am, for I am a Christian.' But they departed with wonder, for they saw that even demons feared Antony. “