Wisdom and Prudence

1 Corinthians 1:19  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Ask yourself, firstly, where is it written? We know Paul is not referring to the wisdom of the philosophers, but to the wisdom of God. It is written in Holy Scripture:

Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

We know that Paul could argue convincingly with the philosophers: he did so in Athens with the Stoics and Epicureans. Like he did in Greece, Paul wrote the same to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness...

Paul's argument was single-pointed: Christ died for the sins of mankind!  How can anyone argue with the facts? Prophecy said that Jesus would die for the sins of mankind, Jesus said he would, and then he did. What more can be said?

One of the temptations of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was wisdom. By eating the fruits thereof, mankind gained the ability to consider things rather than accept them in innocence as from God. Ever since, mankind is confounded by logic. Of course, wisdom is of God, as all things are, but without sin, spiritual wisdom was of no use. After man sinned, then each temptation must be considered: Shall I, or shall I not? Is it truth, or is it not? Is it wise, or is it not?

If one considers Christ crucified,  innocence is sort of regained. Spiritual wisdom is that the gospel is truth. If one asks, "How did God die and be resurrected?" The conclusion one must come to is because Jesus Is God! Wise men would never accept that because it is circular reasoning. An example of that is: I exist because I am. Anyone can accept that premise because we experience it. It is circular, though, because existence and being (am-ness) are the same thing.

Christ is God because only God can die and relive. To Paul that is God's existence, because Jesus just Is. Whereas, without God, no man can live again, with God Jesus lived again. The logic of it all was illogical. They knew that Jesus was dead yet alive because he was crucified, yet lived! We would say, "The proof is in the pudding," because it actually happened.

Wise men would say, the dead are dead. However, their wisdom is defied because Jesus died yet lives. Those with wisdom could not explain Jesus's death and that he lives on, because it was an unreasonable idea: mankind never dies to live again.

Paul spoke of prudence. He knew and understood shrewd people. They really know how to argue, and their arguments are convincing! Shrewd people - highly intelligent and full of wisdom, have yet to explain Jesus's death and resurrection. We know it happened because the evidence is there. The most wise people reject the notion because they need tangible proof. They didn't see him die, see the empty tomb, nor touch the nail prints in his hands; so therefore even shrewd people deny the obvious - Jesus lived on after he died.

At least hundreds saw the living dead man after he arose - maybe more! Men with nothing to lose wrote about Jesus's death and resurrection. Their writings are valid legal depositions. Lawyers would examine the credibility of the witnesses. All the apostles died for Jesus's Name, except John who was boiled in oil. The testimony of men who died for truth is admissible.

We know that the non-Christian Jewish General Josephus wrote of Jesus, his miracles, and his death. It was Caesar who authorized Josephus to write the "History of the Jews". Josephus validated Jesus's death. He was an impartial, even hostile witness, but he validated the existence of Jesus and his death. There are further writings between Herod, Pilate, and Caesar which attest to the healer - Jesus. (For further reading refer to http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob29.htm).

As such, Christians scorn the logic that dead men can live again even though Jesus did. That he did, was to the wise, foolishness, and still is. Skeptics today still doubt that Jesus died and was resurrected. Why so? Because of their foolishness, they want Jesus dead! With our God dead, mankind is free to do as he pleases. The motto of evil is: "Do what thou wilt!" God's command is: "Do my will!"

My oldest son would smoke. Although my wife saw him smoking, he was shrewd enough to convince her otherwise. This is what science, philosophy, psychology, the government, the educational system, and even heretical preachers have done. We know that Jesus died and was resurrected, but some still claim that he never even existed, let alone die!

The Jews know of Jesus's death. They know that he was resurrected. However, they still don't accept him as God and Savior. They still await Jesus. Yes, they believe in him but are waiting on a king who will revive Israel to it's royal Davidic Kingdom. They don't want the meek Jesus who came. They desire a worldly king. Therefore, a humble Jesus who died for mankind is nothing more than a "stumbling block" to their preconceived notion. Jesus doesn't fit the role of even David; how can he be ruler of the Kingdom of God?

From "Judaism 101" (http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm), from a doctrinal standpoint, Jews do not propagate an afterlife. Their rewards are here on this earth - the betterment of the righteous. It is little more than Adam-kind being returned from the wilderness to paradise on earth. Of course, the Pharisees believed in the Resurrection of mankind but had no distinct vision of what that even entailed. The Sadducees denied the Resurrection, as do most Jews today. Their only hope, even with a Messiah, is a Davidic-type kingdom.

You can see why Jesus and his death were a stumbling block to the Jews. He didn't fit their idea of the Messiah. They still wait on one who does!

Ironically, their own Torah and prophecy books are all the evidence they need. If they consider the writings of their prophet Isaiah, they would know Jesus Christ!

Why is it so difficult to accept the idea that there is more than this life? We are complicated, intricately made human beings in a harmonious world. We are so complex that the probability that we just "happened" is effectively zilch! Scripture tells us is that all we need to do is look at the Creation, and God is validated.

Only a fool, an intelligent one, would suggest that we came from non-existent to this higher order of existence because of a Higg's Boson - an elemental particle which suddenly released all existence! "Into what? you may ask. Into vacant dark space. "And where did that come from?" you respond. "I don't know." admits the wise scientist.

Scripture says that we believe by faith. Actually, there is much more than faith! God gives Christians the ability to discern truth. There are things "out there" we can't see. That is the Kingdom of God. We accept the Unseen God by faith. Because the philosophers could not see God, he was an "Unknown God" to them. Paul proclaimed a Known God -  Jesus Christ, and him crucified. In the foolishness of the wise, my guess is that they still did not believe.

Jesus's death and resurrection is evidence, and validates faith. I believe in Jesus, and that he died in my place. Why? He did what he said that he would do. I accept that because I am alive today living in the hope of eternal life. "The proof is in the pudding!"