Christians in a secularized and pagan environment

The Corinthians push Paul to his limits
 
The city of Corinth in New Testament times was a big city with a lot to offer, good and bad. Paul came to this city with the Good News of Jesus Christ and a plan to slowly but surely evangelize, sow the seed of the Kingdom, in an inhospitable environment that by its very nature rejected many of the gospel values or tried to paganize them.
 
The first letter to the Corinthians covers many topics. Each topic related to the abuses, interior struggles and confusion that occur when faith and pagan culture clash. Faith wants to go in one direction, which is contrary to the direction and flow of the paganized culture. To evangelize in this divided, and at times immoral context, is extremely difficult and as a consequence is fraught with many misunderstandings.
 
The second letter was following all that had occurred after the first letter. A unique problem covered in the second letter was the problem of some self-appointed, false, Church leaders trying to pass themselves within the community as supposed apostles with teachings that had nothing to do with actual Church teaching or the Gospel. This is a problem that we still have today, it always has been a problem in the Church at all levels.
 
Raymond E. Brown, in his excellent book “An Introduction to the New Testament” part of the Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library, shares with us a memorable introduction to Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Here is a portion of his opening paragraph:
 
“The disturbed state of the Christians at Corinth explains the need for so much attention. Paradoxically, the range of their problems (rival ‘theologians,’ factions, problematic sexual practices, marital obligations, liturgy, church roles) makes the correspondence exceptionally instructive for troubled Christians and churches of our times. Attempts to live according to the Gospel in the multiethnic and cross-cultural society at Corinth raised issues still encountered in multiethnic, multiracial and cross-cultural societies today.”
 
Read these letters to the people of Corinth with care. Paul was constantly correcting them. Here are some examples:
 
Corinthians intensely preferred the pleasures of life. This is the basis for their discomfort with the message of the cross.
 
“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1, 17-18).
 
Corinthians preferred, and enjoyed, the idea and experience of esoteric spiritualities disconnected from this world. This is the basis for their preference of the gift of tongues over the gift of prophecy.
 
“Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings but to God, for no one listens; he utters mysteries in spirit. On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to human beings, for their building up, encouragement and solace” (1 Cor 14, 1-3).
 
Corinthians preferred partying, eating and drinking to excess. This is why they had problems with an orderly celebration of the Eucharist.
 
“Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the Church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me’” (1 Cor 11, 22-24).
 
Corinthians enjoyed a good preacher that made them feel good, and not so much if good doctrine was preached. This is why they had problems with false prophets, apostles and teachers.
 
“And what I do I will continue to do, in order to end this pretext of those who seek a pretext for being regarded as we are in the mission of which they boast. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, who masquerade as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. So, it is not strange that his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor 11. 12-15).
 
Saint Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, guided these difficult communities to Christ and his love. Thank God for these letters.