The title may be shocking but it’s a direct quote from the Bible. However, the quotation isn’t complete. The rest goes as follows, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1st Corinthians 1:25 NASB). What is this wisdom and strength that the apostle Paul is speaking of? The wisdom is that God is saving sinful people to himself through the message of his crucified Son, Jesus Christ. It’s not a message of an ideology that will bring peace. It’s not the message of how to reach a Utopian society. It’s not an analysis of injustices and oppressive power structures in our post-colonial world. It’s a message of the most high and exalted person, the Son of God, becoming a man and being murdered for the sins of humanity.
According to the apostle, this message is the mystery that was hidden for ages, yet has now been revealed. All things are summed up in this gospel and the person of this gospel, Jesus himself. The bible is full of stories showing us that ideologies (the law), human effort, human leaders and kings will never bring true peace, order and harmony to this world. But then the mystery is revealed. The king himself has come, and has laid his life down for his lost and perishing sheep. With such a sacrifice those who believe will stop at nothing to thank and honor the one who saved them. This is the message– the person– that changes hearts. This is the “foolishness” of God: crucifixion, death, propitiation; and forgiveness, freedom and eternal life. Let us strive to know the message and the person of the message more. Let us dive into the depths of the knowledge of both the wisdom and glory of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than men and God’s weakness is stronger than men.