DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (9/12) Epistle for Saturday before the
Elevation of the Precious Cross
The Truly Ultimate: 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, especially vs.
9: “'Eye has not seen, nor ear
heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared
for those who love Him.'” Those who have lived into this present era for several
decades have seen great changes in the shape of daily life. Men walk in outer space. Pictures are instantly broadcast across
the whole earth. People fly faster
than sound. Artificial intelligence
replaces many routines and jobs.
Interlocking, mainframe computers quietly manage a myriad of details in
daily routine. At the same time,
the fragility of the materialist, cultural ‘cushion’ around us is
increasingly evident.
Worst-case scenarios menace nations and continents with
economic and political chaos, destruction of life, moral degradation, panic,
and terrifying assaults. Have we
become too smart for our own good?
Looking upon the best and worst in the legacy of this age, we resonate
with Apostle Paul’s message in the passage we are considering. Here he declares not another
breakthrough, nor a quantitative jump in man’s accumulated know-how, but
ultimate Wisdom that will survive long after man’s dazzling exploits and
madness have come “...to nothing” (vs. 6).
Consider the contrast between the accumulated wisdom and
knowledge born of human ingenuity and the wisdom of God (see vs. 7). Human intelligence and technological
skill are constantly assessed, compared, and revised. Are not all the new information, new
discoveries, and breakthroughs really just ‘the same old thing’
modified, bringing no true advance in life to what is good and true? The birth, life, death, and Resurrection
of Jesus Christ, however, emerges anew. The “...mystery...” of God,
“...hidden...” until the coming of the Son of God and
“...ordained before the ages...” for the glory of the faithful in
Christ stands forward as true wisdom and hope (vs. 7).
Genuine, ultimate Wisdom is not time-bound, but timeless -
eternal. God’s wisdom is
neither old nor new, but everlasting and ageless. God’s wisdom comes from beyond and
apart from the processes of change and decay. As Scripture says:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). When a new insight appears, ask,
“Does this rearrange existence or is it a profound and truly new
insight?” Divine wisdom
reveals the ineffable answer to us.
That God should become a man and address and answer the central issues
that all men, through all of history, have faced in their existence - that is
Wisdom beyond categorization.
Divine Wisdom, as Saint Basil says, is “...incomprehensible, uncircumscript, immutable,” a wisdom that destroys
the wisdom of the wise and renders it foolish (1 Cor. 1:19, 20).
The Apostle Paul proclaims the true, ultimate Wisdom of
God, but strictly for the “...mature...” (1 Cor. 2:6). Divine, Holy Wisdom is not for men and
women who remain childish, self-centered, and wrapped up in passions, desires,
and whims. No! True Wisdom is He Who judges us, calls
us to prepare for His Kingdom where “...the display of transient
mortals” is dust, ashes, and shadow.
While the entire universe shall pass away, yet the Wisdom of God, of
which
True, ultimate Wisdom lives in the heart of God beyond
finite, human comprehension or the control of men’s minds. God’s Wisdom may be accepted or
rejected, embraced or attacked by fools; but, on human scales, God’s true
Wisdom is not subject to invention or envisioning, nor may it be fully worked
out by human calculation.
God’s Mystery exceeds our rational processes, though it does not
destroy them. Man’s limits were
exposed by our crucifixion of Wisdom Who has prepared
unimaginable things “'...for those who love Him'” (1 Cor. 2:9).
Exalt ye the Lord our God: and
worship at His footstool, for He is holy.
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