Untitled Document

The Theology of The Cross

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Sunday, June 26, 2011

“A theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theologian of the cross calls the thing what it actually is” (Luther, Heidelberg Disputation).

Where have you heard the term “the Theology of the Cross”? What does that phrase mean to you?

The Cross of Christ

Colossians 1:19-20
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Explain the importance of the cross in Christianity.

1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
22 Jews demand miraculous 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 man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Why is it so important to rely on the message of the cross?
Why would some abandon that message? What do some so-called Christians preach instead?

The Cross of the Christian

Matthew 10:37-39
37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Mark 8:34-38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Jesus equates the cross of a Christian with self-denial. How does a Christian deny himself or herself?
Why does Jesus compare such self-denial with a cross?
Agree or disagree? It is necessary for a Christian to bear a cross.

Romans 5:1-4
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Hebrews 12:1-11
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

How does a Christian view his cross? How is this possible?

The Theology of the Cross vs the Theology of Glory

The theology of the cross is clearly the teaching of Scripture, whether or not it is always expressed in these terms. The alternative to the theology of the cross is the theology of glory. The theology of glory may appear in many seemingly unrelated ways, but it remains the opposite of the theology of the cross.

The Theology of Glory	The Theology of the Cross
Preaches primarily the glory of God as seen in creation, Christ’s miracles, and the resurrection.
	Teaches that a Christian will face suffering and hardship throughout his life.
	Though sometimes difficult to understand or appreciate, it is the teaching of Scripture, and therefore is to be believed.
Expects the church to be big, successful, and influential in national and world politics.

Acts 14:21-22
21 They [Paul and Barnabas] preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Why is the theology of glory so dangerous?
Where do we find the theology of glory today?
Not all suffering for a Christian is a cross. What makes suffering a cross?
How do we guard against the theology of glory in our own lives?