I was reading 1 Corinthians this morning and I came across this verse: (1 Cor. 1:17) "For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power."
I'm not even going to touch the baptism thing. What struck me was the idea that eloquent wisdom might empty the cross of its power. Now, I recognize that there is plenty going on in this chapter historically and culturally, but just go with me (original meaning is not the only meaning). It struck me that I normally think of "eloquent wisdom" as a very good thing, especially when preaching the gospel. Who would sign up for a pastor that sounded foolish compared to a pastor who was eloquent and wise? It seems like a no-brainer, and yet Paul seems to be saying that all our eloquence and wisdom can empty the cross of its power.
It also occurred to me that I'm at seminary, and we're being trained to be more eloquent and wise in our proclamation of the gospel. This idea was disconcerting. At what point does our learning and the application of our learning to the Gospel simply rob it of its power? In substituting our own wisdom and eloquence for God's, how quickly do we eviscerate our own ministry? "For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor. 1:25) Is there a way we can use our learning to let God's foolishness speak more clearly, rather than allowing our wisdom to obscure it?
I don't think that Paul is advocating a completely unreasoning faith. After all, Paul commends the Corinthian church for having "been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind." (1:5) But there is definitely a danger here which Paul is warning us against, and I'd like to know how I avoid it as well. In this passage, the danger seems to be division (see 1:10-11), but I don't think that's the only danger involved. I'm not sure I know all the dangers involved in learning. But I know this: I don't want my "wisdom" to rob the cross of its power.
May God show me the dangers, and speak His foolishness through me.
