and a cross, but at least he gave an effective performance. He's indeed a deep thinker and an excellent stylist." You can see what this type of thing would do to the ministry and the message that God had for Paul. Paul did use logic. Paul did pre sent that message in a clear and a forceful style. He was acquainted with and used the valuable aspects of rhetoric, but Paul was not about to use the techniques of excess and ornamentation that were prev alent in that day. He wanted the message of salvation to stand in its own power and he presented with clarity Christ crucified. When Paul was gone from Corinth or when Paul's letters had been received and long after the man Paul had been forgotten, God's message would linger on . . . not the per formance, not the style of writing, nor the technique of speaking. If a commitment to Christ is made on the basis of the powerful message of salvation that is found in Christ crucified, then I believe we can rest assured that we are in the hollow of His hand, and through the power of God, no man can pluck us out of it. We are dealing with a tremendous subject when we deal with the cross of Christ. It needs to stand in the power of God, not on the ability of man. Why should we not yield to the temptation of overly embellishing the message of salvation? In part, the answer is found in I Corinthi ans 1:18: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish fool ishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God." This verse indicates that there is a class of people known as those who are perishing. To them preaching of Page 27
the rhythm of stage-dancing; and whereas they ought to be ashamed even to have such a thing said by others, many of them actually boast that their speeches can be sung and danced to, as though that were something creditable, distin guished, and clever." Seneca, the Elder, another man who writes about the practices of speech during the Roman Empire says, "He who prepares a declam ation, writes not to excell, but to please. So he seeks all kinds of al lurements; citing of proofs, be cause they are uninteresting and have the least ornamentation, he leaves out; he is content to charm his audience by witty sayings and expositions. For he wishes them to approve him and not his case. Moreover, this fault follows de claimed even into the forum. They desert the necessary to run after the brilliant." The people in the church of Cor inth were well acquainted with the nature of public speaking. Perhaps they wondered why Paul was not more entertaining or flamboyant in his speaking. Paul said, "I am not going to use 'the wisdom of words.' I do not want the cross to be stripped of its power. I want Cod's message to stand in its power—in God's power — not in man's abil ity." If Paul had used the pattern of speaking vogue in that day, you might hear conversations such as this. "What did you think of Paul's logic?" "Well," would come the reply, "he was certainly clever. In fact, I think he was just a little bet ter than the last fellow who came through speaking to us." Or you might even hear the comment, "Paul has a peculiar idea there about a man named Jesus Christ
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker