We are gathering together tonight to begin our Lenten study using the book Looking Through the Cross. We will be discussing the introduction and the first chapter. If you do not have a book, please come anyway and we will have a book for you. For Tuesday, please read the introduction and the first chapter “The Cross and Wisdom.” Think about the contrast between the wisdom of this world and the reality of the cross.
· What actually is the role of the cross in Roman (and now ISIS) society? In the French Revolution, people began to wear guillotine jewelry. Is this the same thing as wearing a cross?
· What is the wisdom of the Sanhedrin – the Jewish council that tried Jesus – who knew and understood the Scriptures perfectly? Who are the present-day religious professionals and teachers of the law who fail to fully understand the cross? In his teachings, Jesus had little positive to say about such men. cf. Matt 23, John 5. How does the cross contradict the messianic expectation?
· What is the wisdom of the philosophers that Paul pillories in 1 Corinthians? Do you agree that intellectual inquiry and reason can never bring us to a full understanding of the divine? What is the measure of wisdom and success today? How does the cross contradict this worldly wisdom?
· As a foretaste of the following chapters, begin to think through how the great political issues of today look different through the lens of the cross.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Brunswick stew. Discussion about 6:45. Please bring a friend or neighbor.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:4-6
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.