The Word of the Cross and Christian Theology: Paul’s Theological Temperament for Today

Abstract

In this article I explore the uneasy relationship between Paul’s word of the cross and the work of Christian theology today. I show that Paul’s understanding of the cross challenges the way we conceive the time of Christian theology. Paul’s own biography illustrates the sense in which theological existence is an intellectual journey that is fundamentally interrupted and radically shaped by the encounter with the crucified Christ. What we learn from Paul’s word of the cross, I argue, is that the cross stands over against our theological work as crisis and judge. Paul’s witness urges us to advance in theological knowledge while never moving our gaze from the cross as the original mystery of faith.