What do those who are perishing think of the preaching of the cross?
The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, whom Scripture identifies as the lost. They see the message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as foolish rather than as wisdom. Yet this cross remains central to the Gospel Paul was sent to preach.
Les teaches from 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 that Paul was not sent to baptize as John the Baptist was, but to preach the Gospel: that Christ died, was buried, and rose again. Paul was to preach not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. Then verse 18 says the preaching of the cross is to them that perish—the lost—foolishness. Les illustrates this with people in the Bible Belt asking what something that happened 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem has to do with them. He answers, everything, because there God has His controversy with man.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
More Questions
How does the unsaved world view the preaching of the cross?
To the unsaved world, which is perishing, the preaching of the cross is foolishness and means nothing.