Theology of cross vs. theology of glory

The principle that is put forward here is called the theology of the cross. Some of you may have heard or recognize that term. There is theology of glory, and there is theology of the cross. And these are two very different ways of viewing the kingdom of God. The theology of glory says that the way of the kingdom is the way of greatness and the way of magisterial service (reigning over the people). It is the idea that if we put these people in office and we give them beautiful garments to wear and as we have them drive the people of God into service, they will reign over God's people in glory. That is not the way of the church. That is not the way of greatness in the kingdom of God. It is not seeking glory in ourselves, or even the glory in the church. But this principle is that the way to glory and the way that the kingdom of God is built in our midst is not through being elevated and having this magisterial reign over the people of God, but it is having a ministerial servant’s heart (ministerial means to serve) unto the people of God, where we look to Jesus Christ and say, As Jesus has done, so shall we do. It is the way of suffering. It is the way of the cross. That is how kingdom work is done.

It is not only in the diaconate, but in all the offices and in all the areas of the life of the church. But the theology of the cross is lifted up through the work of the diaconate in a beautiful way. In many ways Jesus is seen better in the life of a deacon than He is seen in the life of the other offices. Jesus is lifted up as service is done unto His glory.

Gene Edward Veith is a social commentator, a reformed Christian, who writes a lot of solid evangelical books interacting with both history and theology. He says: “A theology of glory expects total success, finding all the answers, winning all the battles, and living happily ever after. The theology of glory is all about my strength, my power, and my works. A theologian of glory expects his church to be perfect and always to grow…If he experiences failure and weakness, if his church has problems…then he is often utterly confused, questioning the sufficiency of his faith and sometimes questioning the very existence of God. But…when God chose to save us, He did not follow the way of glory. He did not come as a great hero-king, defeating his enemies and establishing a mighty kingdom on earth. Rather, He came as a baby laid in an animal trough, a man of sorrows with no place to lay His head. And He saved us by the weakness and shame of dying on a cross. Those who follow Him will have crosses of their own: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”¹

Nathan Eshelman