How Can a Crucifixion Be Good News?

The Mystery at the Heart of Everything

We’re exploring how the Gospel works. How God works shining into hearts in the face of Jesus. But there’s a problem. 1 Cor. reflects it. Gospel isn’t guidance, wisdom, morality. It’s a complex event that’s being announced. Something already done that changes everything. It puts you in a new place. Trust it! But what events! Crucifixion, Resurrection!

Paul knows Jesus’ cross is offensive, foolish. But it embodies God’s power, wisdom. The basics are simple, impossible things, except by God’s action, drawing humans into them. The Messiah died; for our sins, fitting scripture. He was raised, scripture, he appeared. Things unexpected, humanly impossible, vast purposes for us, new reading of scripture! Yet Paul watches the power of the event in others and experiences that power himself.

The Event that Refuses to Become a Theory