Consolation in Suffering

Last updated on: October 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm by David Hayward

Consolation in Suffering 2008-10-28T12:49:50-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Paul’s argument in the Corinthian correspondence is an interesting one. The “super-apostles“… well-dressed, well-connected, well-pedigreed, well-educated, well-spoken… have come in behind him and introduced an ambitious gospel of power, triumph, dignity, glory, success, order and strength. This explains why Paul comes across as so weak in comparison. That is actually his defense.

I can hear the super-apostles trying to run a negative campaign against Paul:

“How can he call himself an apostle? He has no papers. He has a sordid past. His ministry can’t quite be called a success. Although he might be a decent writer, there’s no understanding what he’s actually saying, and he is inarticulate when he speaks and is weak in person. He’s been ridiculed and rejected in almost every town, even beaten, whipped, stoned and imprisoned. And where is his God? He’s been shipwrecked, starved, naked, cold, thirsty, bankrupt, poor and deserted by everybody! Some apostle!”

Paul agrees. He in fact boasts in his weakness and seems to add more fuel to their fire. He’s shamelessly open about his weaknesses, including his struggle with illness, sin, temptation, rejection, hopelessness, fear, depression and complete frustration over the apparent failure of his ministry and the obviously sparse acceptance of his gospel. He hides nothing, but is completely open and frank about his pain, suffering and defeat.

This is because Paul is certain that it is in the suffering where the consolation of God is found. He is convinced that it is in weakness that the power of God is displayed. He is persuaded that it is in death that the resurrection power of God is demonstrated. This is why he says such things as he determined to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified, or that he wants to become like Christ in his death so that he might become like him in his resurrection. This is why Paul embraces and is so open about his weaknesses, and attacks a theology of glory, triumph, ambition, success and power. It is a human attempt to shortcut the cross. It is a cowardly act of denial and escape from real life and its suffering, in the end destroying the person and communities.

This is why, practically speaking, a church community ought to be a place of honesty, authenticity and vulnerability, a place where people can be open about their struggles, sufferings, weaknesses and sins… without fear of shame, ridicule and rejection. Because I believe that it is not in the denial of it or escape from it or even the conquering of it, but actually in the midst of the suffering where consolation is found. It is not the victorious, triumphant, successful types who have it all together that brings me or my friends encouragement. The posturing of triumph is a deception. It is the one who, even in the midst of her sufferings, struggles with her faith: that is an enormous source of consolation for others. It doesn’t make for an attractive, presentable, successful or screen-worthy church. And there’s no money in it. But it does make for a healthier community.

The image is a photo taken by my friend Mark Hemmings at the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts: “THE PRODIGAL SON” – by Constantin Meunier.

Check out my tees HERE and my art HERE.

thought

Previous Post

October 28, 2008

cartoon: old one revisited... some things need repeating!

Next Post

October 29, 2008 cartoon: Christ-like Foreclosure

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What animal did fed Elijah?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eagles Sparrows Doves Ravens