Preaching Christ Crucified

In 1 Corinthians 22-23, Paul writes: Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

On the surface, this statement appears to say that Jews are wrong to look for signs, Greeks are wrong to look for wisdom, and Paul is not interested in playing to their preferences. Instead, his core task is to preach Christ crucified (aka ‘the gospel’) and nothing else.

Actually, I think Paul means quite the opposite (and I am not alone). He is using irony. When preaching in Lystra (Acts 14), Paul talks about God as the provider of rain, seasons, crops, and joy – but never Jesus on the cross. In Athens (Acts 17), Paul talks about knowing an unknown God – but again, not about the crucifixion. To suggest Pauls seeks to know nothing except Christ crucified does not fit the biblical evidence.

Returning to 1 Corinthians 1, we note that Paul’s argument is more complex than just wisdom and signs are whims of humanity. Somehow – it turns out the foolishness of the cross and the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (v25).

In short, Paul argues that there is a trust in human wisdom and power demonstrated through signs – both of which turn out to be foolishness. While the cross appears weak and foolish to those that are perishing. It turns out to be higher wisdom and power that self-trusting humans can appreciate.

Tim Keller (sort of my boss) describes the gospel’s engagement with culture like this: 1. This is what you want; 2. This is why you cannot have it in the way you are searching for it; 3. This is how it is found in Christ through the cross; 4. This is how you can have it in him.

What a great way to share the Easter message – Jesus offers an even greater hope than you are hoping for.

By Rev. David Rietveld