Theology of the Cross/Glory

“A theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theologian of the cross calls a thing what it actually is.”
― Martin Luther, Heidelberg Disputation (1518)

1 Corinthians 1:18

¹⁸ For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

How to Become a Theologian of the Cross

The cross of Jesus Christ is the most important and powerful thing in Christian faith. But it’s easy to misunderstand what this means. A “theologian of glory,” based on nothing more than individual wishes, tries to use the cross as a starting point for personal gain-to make people healthy and wealthy, successful and popular. A “theologian of the cross,” in contrast, thinks of the cross as the last stop for sin, death, and delusions of grandeur. In other words, the cross is an end point. A theologian of glory might say something like: “Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and he will make you happier, richer, and better looking.” If things don’t pan out, the theologian of glory will say that you need to have greater faith, believe more, or try harder. A theologian of the cross, on the other hand, emphasizes what Jesus did for us. In baptism, Jesus gives you his word, which essentially says, “You are mine,” even when you feel troubled, poor, or unattractive. In the end, being a theologian of the cross is something that can’t be taught from a book. There’s no class you can take or diploma you can get that certifies you as a theologian of the cross. As you experience life’s ups and downs, being a theologian of the cross is something you just live into when you are open and trust God’s promises.
– The Lutheran Handbook (2005)                                                                                                   

Reflection & Prayer

As we approach Holy Week, is there a hymn or a song that helps you focus on what it means to be a theologian of the cross? Listen to it or sing it devotionally as a form of worship.