Scripture:  I Cor. 1:22-25
“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for 
wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: 
a stumbling block to Jews and 
foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those 
whom God has called, both Jews and 
Greeks, Christ the power of God and the 
wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of 
God is wiser than human wisdom, and the 
weakness of God is stronger than human 
strength.
Reflection:  I am reading for my Doctorate 
of Ministry course, Theology of 
Evangelism.  The first book is by Leslie 
Newbigin.  It’s title is “Foolishness to the 
Greeks:  The Gospel and Western 
Culture.”  He believes it is harder to 
present the Gospel to Westerners 
because of our cultural upbringing.  He 
lists many stumbling blocks that are 
deeply ingrained in us, but mostly he 
argues that the division of our human life 
into public and private and our separation 
of fact and value is what makes it tough 
in our culture to present the gospel.   I am 
convinced that we are sharing a story that 
is radically different – it is countercultural 
in many aspects.  Is there a need to 
overcome our culture?  I am not sure.  I 
believe that culture does not completely 
satisfy the “purpose” in our lives and that 
we are able to experience a “suspension 
of culture” for a time because we so 
desperately need a purpose and meaning 
to life that is bigger than ourselves.  I 
think the Holy Spirit provides a chance to 
make that happen as part of God’s 
prevenient grace.  How we reconcile our 
culture and our faith is a big question.  
Paul believes that the foolishness of God 
is wiser than human wisdom and God’s 
weakness is more powerful than human 
strength.  What do you think?   Is our 
belief in the reign of God enough to 
overcome the stumbling blocks of our 
culture?  We can’t have faith in a cultural 
vacuum.  Can we somehow make sense 
of our faith in our cultural setting?  Or can 
we accommodate/shift our cultural beliefs 
to have a faith in Christ crucified and the 
foolishness of the cross?  Maybe you 
believe we are in a culture where the good 
news of Jesus Christ is easily and readily 
heard and accepted/acted upon.  I’d be 
interested in hearing your thoughts.
Lord, as you will; and as you know, have 
mercy.  Amen.
Blessings,
Liz