Theology of the Cross vs Theology of Glory

I believe that there are two different types of theology that exist in the evangelical world today; the theology of glory and the theology of the cross. In the world of sports it is the theology of glory that dominates. In my post tonight, I want to explain to you why that is not a good thing. I want to go about doing this by first, explaining what these two phrases mean. Second, I want to defend my view that the “theology of glory” is the prevailing view in sports, and third, I will give you 3 reasons why we need to embrace the theology of the cross, as opposed to the theology of glory.
1) Martin Luther, the sixteenth century reformer, coined these two phrases in the mist of one of the most electric, paradigm-shifting times in church history. Luther, an Augustinian monk, was a tortured soul for a large part of his young adult life. He was haunted by the righteousness and holiness of the God that he read about in the Scriptures. He was all too aware of his sin, and couldn’t see any hope of earning the favor of this all-powerful God who poured out His wrath on sinners.

At this time in church history, in Germany where Luther resided, there was only one church, the Roman Catholic Church. Tragically, the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, was nowhere to be found. Priests were selling indulgences to the common people to pay for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica. Indulgences were kind of like get-out-of-jail-free cards for people’s relatives who were in hell, or trapped in purgatory. You could pay a traveling priest who sold indulgences and he would forgive the sins of whichever relative you desired. Here is an excerpt from a sermon of John Tetzel’s in 1517, who was the adversary of Luther:
Don't you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out, "Have mercy on us, for we suffer great punishment and pain. From this, you could release us with a few alms . . . We have created you, fed you, cared for you and left you our temporal goods. Why do you treat us so cruelly and leave us to suffer in the flames, when it takes only a little to save us? [ Die Reformation in Augenzeugen Berichten, edited by Helmar Junghaus (Dusseldorf: Karl Rauch Verlag, 1967), 44.]

This was a world of works- driven righteousness, but by the grace of God, Luther was set free. While teaching the book of Romans to his students his heart was set free. That glorious doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone took hold of him. He was a man set free.

What Luther saw in this context were two different theologies; the theology of the cross (TOC) and the theology of glory (TOG). The TOG is about victory for the Christian right now. No suffering, no pain, just success. The TOG looks for the successful Christians; the powerful, pretty, and popular. In Luther’s day, priests were looked at, for the most part, as the anointed one’s because they had money, power, and authority. They were the victorious ones. In this view, it was “do this, this, and this, and God will love you.”

The TOC was diametrically opposed to this view. The TOC was about “taking up your cross,” and following in path of Jesus. Suffering is going to happen. If Jesus suffered than so will we. According to this view, being a follower of Christ doesn’t guarantee you comfort and success on this earth. The way up, is actually down. Humility and service are actually signs of greatness in this theology. Instead of telling people, “believe in Jesus and you can be like me, or have what I have, or be successful,” you share the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is to repent of sin, and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sin. You explain that this could cost you everything, but that God will be faithful.

2) Now looking at these two theologies, which one do you think prevails in the world of sports? I worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 3 years and saw this TOG first hand. I felt extreme pressure for fundraising events to bring in celebrity athletes. What was their theology? Were they a mature believer? Is their character on the same level as their talent? These questions don’t matter! Do you know why? Because we want the most successful, good-looking, popular athlete we can find because they will have the most influence. We want the middle school and high school kids to think, “Wow, I want to be successful like him.” “He says Jesus helped him get where he is, maybe I should give my life to Jesus.” Do you see the ramifications for this theology? What kind of Christians do you think this produces? What will they do when none of the things they think they will get from this deal happen? What if instead of becoming a professional athlete, they become a plumber? Will they still love Jesus?

Wouldn’t it have been awesome, when I was working for FCA, if I would have invited someone who was a bench player in the NBA (for the Clippers), and had just gotten released, to be my keynote speaker!? How about this? When is the last time you have seen a player who made an error to lose a game get interviewed and give thanks to God?

3) I want to finish up, by giving you three reasons why we need to be proclaiming, and living, the theology of the cross:

1. It’s biblical! Just look at the lives of our Lord Jesus, and His disciples. They all suffered greatly in living their lives for God’s glory. Re-read the Gospels. Look at 2 Corinthians 11 and see what Paul endured.
2. It brings the most glory to God. In my church history class we have read eyewitness accounts of Christians being killed for their faith in horrendous ways. But do know what they all had in the midst of these horrible acts of persecution? Joy and peace. Do you know what that does in the eyes of the world? Bring glory to God.
3. It displays our reliance on the Lord, who then supplies us with power. God told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” As we acknowledge our weaknesses, and depend on the Lord, we will be strengthened by the Lord.
Could it be said in better than how Paul, inspired by God, says it in Philippians 3:7-21:
7But(A) whatever gain I had,(B) I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of(C) the surpassing worth of(D) knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I(E) have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having(F) a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but(G) that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10(H) that I may know him and(I) the power of his resurrection, and(J) may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may(K) attain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already(L) obtained this or(M) am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do:(N) forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for(O) the prize of the upward(P) call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are(Q) mature think this way, and if in anything(R) you think otherwise,(S) God will reveal that also to you. 16Only(T) let us hold true to what we have attained.
17Brothers,(U) join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk(V) according to the example you have in us. 18For(W) many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you(X) even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19(Y) Their end is destruction,(Z) their god is their belly, and(AA) they glory in their shame, with(AB) minds set on earthly things. 20But(AC) our citizenship is in heaven, and(AD) from it we(AE) await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform(AF) our lowly body(AG) to be like his glorious body,(AH) by the power that enables him even(AI) to subject all things to himself.