Biola Broadcaster - 1972-04

tions of eternal life and the satis­ fied life, we at Biola happily turn to God's word. It is His message and the glory is His. In verses 26, and 27 note why the foolishness of Cod is actually wiser than men. In essence, it is because the church with the mes­ sage of hope is able to transform communities without the wise or the mighty or the noble. God's transforming message at salvation is communicated simply by obedient servants. I am not sug­ gesting that the Christian is not powerful. Philippians 4:13 is still true, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." What Paul means by "not many might" is "not might" as far as the world is concerned. The Creek word for power "dunemos," has several levels of meaning. This word can be used for "strength of character." In that light this verse is saying there are not many un­ usually strong characters or out­ standing individuals from the standpoint of personal traits or characteristics. Cod seems to have selected and chosen those who are broken, who are needy. Then He has made them, by the power of Christ, the mighty men that they ought to be. The word "power" may also convey the idea of authority. There are Christians who do have a cer­ tain measure of power over others. But in the main, people in the church of Jesus Christ were not powerful individuals who held sway over others before they be­ came Christians. The word "power" is also re­ lated to personal worth. It speaks of possessions or money. Only a few Christians in this day fit that category: as in Paul's time, indeed, Page 33

telligent and noble. Verse 26 reads, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called." The wise, mighty, and noble are not exclud­ ed from the kingdom of Cod. It is just that only a few are in the body of Christ. Also this passage does not be­ little man. It simply states that on the world's scales Cod's people are lightweights—we do not count for much. God has cho.sen the foolish things of the world to con­ found the wise. God has chosen the weak things of the world. But, to a great extent, of course, all mankind does not count for much if you put it on God's scale and compare man's power with Cod's power. From man's point of view alone, God has selected, in the main, those who do not count for much on the world's scales. It is interesting that even though some Christians are very intelligent and talented they never attempt to come up with a philosophy of life that is superior to that which is found in the Word of God. The Christian philosopher is not trying to bridge the gap between man and Cod with some human strat­ egy. Although the Christian schol­ ar wants to know how man has thought in times past and how he is thinking today, his answer to life is the answer that God has given. At Biola we have a competent faculty. Here are some of the "wise" in the Christian fellowship. But regardless of the subject they study and teach, each professor fully knows that he has no way of improving upon Cod's plan of sal­ vation. When it comes to ques­

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