The Wisdom of Men

My Sunday School (ABF - the Bridge - for anyone reading who also goes to Heritage Baptist) has recently started a study in 1 Corinthians, so I thought I'd do some posts of my thoughts on what we are studying as we journey through this great epistle. 1 Corinthians was one of the first books I studied once I started seriously reading Scripture back early in high school, and it was a great and very enjoyable study for me. It's been awhile since I delved into this wonderful letter, so I'm pretty excited to be reacquainted with it and see what new insight and truth I will glean.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is a great book which covers a wide array of topics. The book is largely a reprimand against the church for the many problems which it was experiencing and causing. But, be assured, Paul does take ample room to commend the church for the things it is doing right (though they are few) and encourage them with some doctrinal teaching.

In the second half of chapter one Paul brings up an interesting idea of the "foolishness of the cross" vs. the "wisdom of the world." What does he mean here?
I think we can solve this by asking another question:
      "What do all religions aside from Christianity have in common?"
If you take a look, every religion outside of Christianity essentially believes in a works-based salvation. Even many who do not consider themselves "religious" have a hope that somehow they can earn heaven by doing enough good, outweigh their bad with good, or live a somewhat moral life. This, I think, really sums up the "wisdom of man." Sinful man wants to believe that he is independent; that he can live life on his own without the help of God and ultimately get to heaven.

Now here is where the "foolishness of the cross" comes into play. For the unsaved, the idea that a person can be granted heaven simply by faith in Christ is nonsense. It completely puts to naught his idea that he can be good enough to make it on his own. The "wisdom of the world" says that we can get it right on our own, while the "foolishness of the cross" shows us that we are completely helpless and hopeless on our own and can do nothing to save ourselves. We have nothing for which to be proud in our Salvation, since God did the work of Salvation for us. All we did was believe. And in this God is glorified.

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 ESV

Praise God that we do not need to rely on our own wisdom and performance, but can trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross to pay for our redemption!