“And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Paul sought to make his life a reflection of the gospel; that is, make the messenger like the message. Just as the gospel appears weak and foolish to the world, so does the preacher. The foundation of your faith is not reason, but the wisdom of the cross. Paul, in his preaching, makes no reference to the inferiority of heathen gods or the folly of idolatry. Neither does he seek to give proofs for the existence of God. The power is not in the argument of the messenger, but in the message. “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
Conversion comes solely through the gospel in all of its simplicity, not because of craftily formed arguments and logic. Proclaim the gospel from a posture of inadequacy and dependence. Don’t try to impress people through technique.
You will not bring people to conversion by satisfying the needs of reason. They come because the Holy Spirit has transformed their hearts.
The gospel is eminently reasonable when you accept its presuppositions. But logic and reason cannot bring a person to acceptance. This marks the difference between the seeker and the skeptic. Reason may help the seeker, because God has already touched his heart, but it can do nothing for the skeptic. Human wisdom is not bad. It just cannot bring a person to God.
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