Reflections
March 15, 2009
In 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 Paul writes, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." The tension is between wisdom and power. Some want religion and the experience of faith to be wise beyond measure, irrefutable, authoritative. Others want a life of faith filled with power and experience of the Holy. Paul in fact infers that both are elements of the experience he knows in Christ, but to the groups in question, Paul's witness presents roadblocks to the faith experience.
Paul is not picking on the Jewish community, remember he is a Jew as is Jesus. He is not making fun of the Greeks or Gentiles either, for they both were of prime interest to him in terms of mission and conversion. Paul's interest was expressing the Good News of Christ, and here he pointedly states the risks found in sharing the Good News.
Those same risks exist today. We live in a highly technological age. Information comes to us quickly and powerfully from our computers, radios, and televisions. While these may be used as tools for ministry, the most effective expressions of faith are still the written and spoken word. To those who live with absolutes, no expression is effective, and we (or rather our faith) remains foolish or a stumbling block.
Do we then stop sharing the Good News of Jesus? Of course not! We are called by the love of Christ to witness. To share what we have experienced. To tell what we know to be true of God's love. To do so in worship, with song, and prayer, and in the very way we live. To do so, not because all will believe, but that all may believe.
March 15, 2009
In 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 Paul writes, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles." The tension is between wisdom and power. Some want religion and the experience of faith to be wise beyond measure, irrefutable, authoritative. Others want a life of faith filled with power and experience of the Holy. Paul in fact infers that both are elements of the experience he knows in Christ, but to the groups in question, Paul's witness presents roadblocks to the faith experience.
Paul is not picking on the Jewish community, remember he is a Jew as is Jesus. He is not making fun of the Greeks or Gentiles either, for they both were of prime interest to him in terms of mission and conversion. Paul's interest was expressing the Good News of Christ, and here he pointedly states the risks found in sharing the Good News.
Those same risks exist today. We live in a highly technological age. Information comes to us quickly and powerfully from our computers, radios, and televisions. While these may be used as tools for ministry, the most effective expressions of faith are still the written and spoken word. To those who live with absolutes, no expression is effective, and we (or rather our faith) remains foolish or a stumbling block.
Do we then stop sharing the Good News of Jesus? Of course not! We are called by the love of Christ to witness. To share what we have experienced. To tell what we know to be true of God's love. To do so in worship, with song, and prayer, and in the very way we live. To do so, not because all will believe, but that all may believe.
Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Aveue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Aveue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
