The Foolishness of the Cross
In the ancient city of Corinth, the Apostle Paul faced a challenge that resonates with today's Church—divisions based on leaders. The Church, once a unified body, began to splinter over preferences for different teachers. This phenomenon is not exclusive to the past; even today, churches face similar challenges, amplified by the influence of the internet. In this blog post, we explore Paul's response to such divisions and reflect on the timeless message of the cross.
The Messiness of Church Life
Paul, having planted the church in Corinth, was dismayed to hear about the factions emerging among the believers. The church was dividing over allegiance to specific leaders—a situation that may sound familiar to many today. Whether it’s aligning with speakers, pastors, or online influencers, the trend of following leaders has persisted through time.
Data/original chart from the Association of Religion Data Archives
Internet Amplification
The internet has exacerbated this issue, providing a plethora of choices for individuals to follow. The availability of renowned speakers and preachers online has led to a situation where people may prioritize their favorite communicators over the local church leaders. This division can result in a fragmented Christian community, contrary to the unity that Paul emphasized.
Paul’s Clear Warning
Paul’s response to this issue is clear and unequivocal: Christians are not meant to follow human leaders blindly. In his letter to the Corinthians, he sarcastically asks if Christ is divided or if Paul was crucified for them. His message is straightforward—there is only one Savior, one message, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and that is Jesus Christ.
The Foolishness of the Cross
Central to Paul’s argument is the concept of the foolishness of the cross. The message of the cross may seem absurd to those who do not understand its significance. The world's wisdom often clashes with the divine wisdom encapsulated in the cross. Paul challenges the prevailing values of the Corinthians, who valued eloquent speakers, by asserting that the true power lies in the message of the cross.
Paul introduces an epistemological revolution—a new way of understanding wisdom, power, and wealth. Through the lens of the cross, the world’s wisdom is frustrated, and God’s foolishness becomes the power of salvation. This paradigm shift transforms the way believers perceive the world.
The lens of the world
The lens of the cross
God Chooses the Foolish
In a world that values strength, wisdom, and influence, God deliberately chooses the foolish, weak, and despised to shame the strong. The ordinary and seemingly insignificant become vessels for God’s extraordinary purposes. Paul reminds the Corinthians that God often works through “things that are not” to nullify the “things that are.”
The application is clear—believers are called to boast in the Lord, not in human leaders or worldly accomplishments. As the world’s priorities crumble, what remains is the eternal and glorious wisdom of God. Investing time, resources, and life for the sake of Jesus may seem foolish to the world but is, in fact, the power of God at work.
In a world where divisions over leaders persist, Paul’s message to the Corinthians echoes loudly. The call is to look beyond human leaders, whether local or global, and fix our gaze on the unifying message of the cross. As believers, our allegiance is not to charismatic speakers or influential leaders but to the One who never disappoints—Jesus Christ. The foolishness of the cross becomes the profound wisdom of God, challenging us to boast not in ourselves but in the Lord who unites us all.
Blog adapted from January 14, 2024 message by Minister Mark Ashton
