PENTECOST XXIII

October 20, 2024

“Neither Signs Nor Wisdom”  “

For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”     (I Corinthians 1: 22-25)              

It’s that Luther time of the year, and next week, Lutherans around the world will observe Reformation Sunday, the anniversary of the date Martin Luther wrote the list of 95 points of debate (theses) and posted them on the door of Wittenberg church.  One Sunday morning is hardly an adequate amount of time to appreciate the breadth and depth of Luther’s scholarship and teaching, so let’s “prep” for next week and consider one of Luther’s basic principles on reading and understanding the Bible as provided in our Lutheran Study Bible.    

I enjoyed learning an important principle of Luther’s on understanding Scripture according to its “plain sense”; that is, understood in the sense that would have been obvious to the  original readers.  He felt it was important to counteract interpreters of his time who claimed to have found “secret meanings” in the Bible, creatively finding ways to “prove” that the Bible said what suited their purposes.     

Looking for the “plain sense” of the Gospel of Mark, we learn that the original readers were likely a community of Christians situated within the Roman Empire.  Mark told the story of Jesus’ life and teachings in order to create and strengthen the readers’ faith, and to develop true disciples.  These early believers needed to define who they were in connection to their Jewish heritage, and to understand how the good news of Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection provided shape and meaning for their lives and faith.  As 21st century Christians, we, too, need to hear these accounts of Jesus’ ministry and be inspired to live according to his teachings.     

The New Testament letters of Paul and other early church leaders can be more easily understood when it comes to the “plain sense” of visualizing what the first readers were like.  There are messages of encouragement for those facing adversity, reprimands to those who are straying from the core message, and advice on everyday life as part of a community of faith.      The letters to the church at Corinth have a specific theme, as there were serious divisions and much focus on worldly rank.  They needed to be reminded strongly and specifically to be guided by love, by sharing, and by mutuality and equality.  Jews and Greeks expected signs and wisdom, but the message is strong and unyielding.  “We proclaim Christ crucified.”  To read about God’s foolishness is unusual, but here we see Paul’s skill as a writer and communicator.  He describes God’s foolishness and weakness as wiser, stronger, and far beyond any human ability, and Christ as the embodiment of the power and wisdom of God.  He wasn’t afraid to use extreme terms to get their attention!     

This assurance echoes across the centuries:  the good news is still the good news, the message of love and forgiveness is eternal, and we, too, are called to proclaim Christ crucified and resurrected.   

Grateful for “plain sense” for God’s plain people,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers