Foolishness and sense
Rev. John Davis, pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Friday, March 27, 2009
“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:18
By the Rev. John Davis
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
I have read somewhere that speaking in public is number one on the list of common activities that generate fear in most people. There are people who would prefer to undergo all sorts of physical torture than deliver a speech in front of an audience. At the root of the fear of speaking in public is the fear of looking foolish. Most of us who regularly speak to an audience, or in the case of preachers, to a congregation know what it is to misspeak, or to have our mind go blank and to feel like a fool as we struggle to get our derailed train of thought back on track. It’s not a good feeling, but it is survivable — I’m living proof of that.
In his first letter to the Christian congregation in the city of Corinth, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of appearing foolish. Corinth was a major trading center, ideally situated on both land and sea trade routes. Its two harbors brought people from all over the Mediterranean world and beyond to the city giving it a sophisticated, cosmopolitan air. Although Corinth had a reputation for being a “wild” city, its citizens were proud of its being a place of learning and the free exchange of ideas.
When Paul wrote to the thriving though divided Christian congregation in Corinth, he reminded them that human learning and wisdom have certain limitations. His words in the first and second chapters of 1 Corinthians probably struck some members of this early church the wrong way because they were proud of their ability to hold their own in discussions and debates about philosophy and religion. But Paul felt it was necessary to point out that in the end, you will not be able to convince someone of the truth by debate or argument because “the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.”
A Christian should never disparage nor fear human learning and intelligence. These are great gifts of God and part of being created in the image of God. But like all human pursuits, human wisdom is tainted by our sinfulness. God’s grace will never make logical sense to the human mind—it can only be comprehended by faith. The restoration of our relationship with God through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus seems foolish to the human mind, but it is a plan that comes from the loving heart and mind of God.
“Patch Adams” is a wonderful movie starring Robin Williams. It tells the story of a would-be doctor who confronts the “wisdom” of the established medical system with the “foolishness” of humor and personal connections with patients. The movie, which is based on a true story, suggests that sometimes foolishness can be wiser and more effective in healing than practices accepted by human logic and wisdom. So it is with the cross of Jesus.
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. John Davis, pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Emporia.