On the Theology of the Cross

The theology of the Cross is not about endless veneration of all that Jesus endured for us during his suffering and death on the cross.

Rather, the theology of the Cross is about how God is with us in the world, hidden, so to speak, in the places and situations we’d rather flee: suffering in the cause of the gospel, weakness, pain, failure, persecution, and yes, even death.

A vastly more popular theology is the theology of glory, which finds God in all the places the world loves: wealth, success, acclamation, popularity, beauty, power, and the powerful tribal feeling of “God’s on our side!”

But God comes into our world not with armies and emperors and impressive glory, but in infants who chant the divine praises in their wailing, and in the weakness and powerlessness of the marginalized and broken in order to actually be with us and help us. Only such a theology is a proper basis for the church. And it is what the liberation theologians in Central and South American were helping their people see and live.

“This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
"He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Matthew 8:17

Pray for the maturity to live your life without reliance on the fantasy of the “Man Upstairs” coming to bail you out.