Readings for today: Ezra 1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalms 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23
I recently read a book titled, “The Enigma of Reason” where the authors argue persuasively that reason - far from being the evolutionary superpower we make it out to be - is deeply flawed and never objective. In fact, they believe what we call “reason” is simply one way of drawing inferences about the world around us. It’s far more instinctual than we like to think. It is driven by desire more than logic and we are far more likely to use “reason” to confirm our existing biases than we are to actually make decisions based on the evidence presented to us.
I thought about that book again this morning as we read about the differences between God’s wisdom and human wisdom in 1 Corinthians. God’s way are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. What human beings consider “wisdom” results in all kinds of tragedy. Consider the “logic” of racism. The persistent idea that the color of one’s skin determines the value of one’s worth. Consider the “logic” of greed. The persistent idea that we should spend our days accumulating as much as possible and those who are successful are somehow “better” than those who are not. Consider the “logic” of gender dysphoria. The idea that we can choose our own gender and deny our chromosomal reality. Consider the “logic” of sexual freedom. The idea that we should offer our bodies to whoever we wish as long as their is consent. Such logic is terrifying and tragic and deeply heartbreaking. It is resulting in deep loneliness, suffering, and pain. It should not surprise us as we pursue human wisdom that things only seem to be getting worse. Rates of depression and suicide are on the rise. So are rates of reported mental illness. At what point do we stop and reflect on the fact that following human “logic” may be the latest form of self-harm?
Paul says “the message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction. But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” This is not a triumphalistic statement rather one written in tears. Paul surveys the landscape of his own culture and his heart breaks to see so many enslaved to their sinful desires. He spends his life trying to break their chains and set them free. He longs for the day when Christ will appear and all things will be made new. Until that day comes, he calls us Christians to proclaim the “foolishness” of God. God has put to shame the wisdom of this world. He uses the foolishness of preaching to proclaim His victory over sin and death. The idea that God would give His life to save His people makes no human sense whatsoever. Why would God do such a thing? How in the world can this be just? Righteous? Even logical or rational? Furthermore, why would God gather HIs church from the all the poor and powerless? Why does He use the weak to shame the strong? Why does He use the foolish to confound the wise? Why does He use those who’ve been despised to expose the vanity and empty pride of our world?
He does it for His glory. He does it in order to make HIs glory known. No one can take credit for what God has done. Why would anyone even want to? God left heaven and came to earth. Relinquished all His power and authority in order to become a human being. He humbled Himself in obedience to the point of death. Even death on a cross. The worst and most shameful death ever devised by the wisdom of man. Because Christ embraced this descent, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above every name. And now He calls those who follow Christ to walk the same path. To take the same journey.
Readings for tomorrow: Ezra 3:1-4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4, Psalms 28, Proverbs 20:24-25