Being a pastor is challenging. The apostle Paul faced significant criticism and hostility from the Corinthian church—a community of believers he had evangelized, nurtured, and cared for as a spiritual father in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 4:15). I sat in Dr. Piper’s Greek Exegesis class this summer, wrestling with the text in 2 Corinthians to understand what led the Corinthians to turn against Paul and how Paul responds pastorally to their accusations. The Corinthians viewed Paul’s humility as a sign of weakness and falsely accused him of walking in the flesh (2 Cor 10:1–2, 10). They had syncretically adopted a triumphalistic view of greatness. Paul models Christ’s humility by appealing to the Corinthians, asserting that God entrusted him with apostolic authority not to tear them down but to build them up (2 Cor 10:8). He demonstrates that a Christian understanding of meekness and humility is rooted in the life and death of Christ, who emptied himself for the sake of others (Phil 2:6–8). The Corinthians’ over-realized eschatology led them to prioritize impressive displays of power and spirituality over humility. But Paul’s ministry relied on divine power, not human showmanship. Unlike his detractors’ worldly weapons, such as rhetoric and charisma, Paul’s weapons (cf. Eph 6:13–18) confront human pride, spurring obedience to Christ. This magnifies God’s power and wisdom over humans (e.g., 1 Cor 1:21–24).
The Corinthians’ criticism reflects a cultural bias that equates leadership with success and dominance, a perspective still prevalent today. Having planted and pastored a church in India, in a Christian setting heavily influenced by the prosperity gospel and the Word of Faith movement, I know this is not an ancient problem. I have experienced this myself, and I expect to face more of such spurious charges when I graduate and return to India to shepherd my congregation. However, I will not be caught off guard. I came away from Dr. Piper’s class equipped to address and tackle such challenges in ministry. Moreover, my heart has been affected to rely on God for all things. Theology is not just an intellectual exercise; it is meant to stir the heart to love and trust God. This is why I love Bethlehem College and Seminary. My time at Bethlehem has not only made me a better theologian but a better pastor.
Boaz Prince, 4th-Year Seminarian
Alex Steddom International Student Fund Grantee
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for our incoming students as they move to Minneapolis this weekend and attend orientation on Monday and Tuesday.
- Pray for our current students as they prepare to return.
- Pray for the speakers preparing for Godward Life.
- Pray for the full funding of the Alex Steddom International Student Fund.