By Oyewole Sarumi
Across centuries and civilizations, humanity has been captivated by greatness. We carve statues of generals, build libraries to authors, and name cities after leaders. From Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Museum to Oxford’s “Eagle and Child” pub—where Lewis and Tolkien once gathered—we canonize human achievement. While honoring legacies can inspire progress, Scripture repeatedly warns that our inclination to idolize human greatness often crosses into spiritual peril.
The apostle Paul confronts this very human tendency in 1 Corinthians 2, placing a decisive spotlight on one message: “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” This article explores why all evangelism must reject the cult of personality and center on the scandalous, saving message of the cross. Drawing from church history, biblical doctrine, and the Apostle Paul’s own ministry, we will examine how God dismantles human pride, exalts Christ alone, and empowers weak vessels by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel to a dying world.
The Bible’s Verdict on Human Greatness
We live in a world of icons. Political messiahs. Celebrity pastors. “Anointed” influencers with million-strong platforms. But Scripture strips away illusions of inherent human greatness: “There is no one righteous, not even one… all have turned away… there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10–12)
Every biblical figure—no matter how admired—fails. Noah’s drunkenness, Moses’ disobedience, David’s adultery, Peter’s denial—each narrative reminds us that greatness, apart from grace, is corruption clothed in charisma. Even revered apostles like Paul point away from themselves.
This is more than humility. It’s theological clarity.
Human beings, even at their best, are not saviors. This is why the biblical narrative refuses to build temples to human heroes. Instead, it consistently showcases God’s glory through human frailty.
From Hero Worship to Cult Leadership—When Humans Replace Christ
The danger intensifies when fallen men become focal points of religious systems. Paul warned the Ephesian elders of “savage wolves” who would arise from among their own ranks (Acts 20:29–30). These men distort truth to “draw away disciples after themselves.”
Modern history is littered with examples:
- Muhammad formed a religion that places him at its theological core.
- Joseph Smith claimed to restore true Christianity with himself as the divine mouthpiece.
- Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Sun Myung Moon demanded unquestioning loyalty, resulting in mass manipulation, control, and in some cases—death.
Psychology Today outlines traits of coercive cult leaders that echo religious tyrants grandiosity, fantasy-driven identity, unquestioned obedience, exploitation of followers, and arrogant disdain for authority or criticism
Each of these characteristics displaces the supremacy of Christ and centers power in a flawed human.
This is not only spiritually dangerous—it is blasphemous.
Paul’s Gospel of Weakness—Christ Crucified, Not Charisma
In stark contrast, the Apostle Paul deliberately refuses to build a ministry on rhetorical brilliance or personal magnetism.
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Paul had just come from Athens, where his message was dismissed by philosophical elites. Mocked for preaching a crucified Savior, he arrived in Corinth resolved to reject the trappings of eloquence and instead lean wholly on the scandal of the cross.
Why? Because human brilliance cannot save. God designed the gospel to offend the proud and awaken the desperate. “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
In a culture addicted to personality-driven platforms, Paul’s method is radical. He strips the messenger of all pretense so that the message can shine no manipulation, no theatrics, and no carefully constructed brand identity
Just Christ crucified, the bloody, scandalous, soul-saving centerpiece of redemption.
The Humbling of the Evangelist—Trembling as a Vessel
Evangelists are not celebrities, they are clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7). Paul himself confesses: “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2:3)
This is not a rhetorical device. The apostle of the Gentiles felt fear. He was rejected, imprisoned, and mocked. Yet he preached. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking… I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9–10)
God often calls us to speak through our shaking. Paul’s “unimpressive” style, criticized by Corinthian believers (2 Corinthians 10:10), becomes a powerful model of authentic gospel ministry.
Evangelism does not require flawless delivery or magnetic confidence. In fact, God often chooses unimpressive people so that all glory goes to Him (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).
The True Power Behind Evangelism—The Holy Spirit
What, then, gives preaching its power? Not the preacher. Not the logic. Not the delivery. “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:4)
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the unseen evangelist. He opens blind eyes to sin, softens hard hearts, applies the atoning blood of Christ, and draws people into repentance and faith
Jesus promised: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8)
The Spirit is not a force to harness. He is a sovereign Lord who delights to use trembling saints to magnify a crucified Savior. This is why Paul can say: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
The Spirit delights in weakness surrendered to Christ.
Section VI: The Goal of Evangelism—Faith Rooted in God, Not Man
Paul’s ultimate goal in gospel preaching was not merely conversion, but the right kind of faith. “…so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)
In a world of charismatic influencers, emotional appeals, and market-driven gospel messages, many are converted to personality, not Christ. Their faith is fragile, conditional, and shallow.
But faith born of the Spirit anchors itself in the unchanging promises of God. It endures trial, temptation, and even silence. It’s the kind of faith that produces disciples, not just converts.
When Christ crucified is the focus, and the Spirit is the power, then the outcome is eternal sinners are truly saved, churches are grounded in truth, and evangelists are humbled and emboldened.
Modern Implications—Lessons for Today’s Church
Too many churches have drifted into motivational speech, political commentary, or branding their pastor as the centerpiece. The modern temptation is to entertain, market, and manipulate. We forget Jesus never called us to be influencers. The early church grew through blood and gospel, not strategy and platforms, and the Spirit does not anoint idolatry.
Hero worship is seductive but hollow. Eventually, every man disappoints. Every system centered on man collapses. Only Christ remains.
We must preach the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus without apology. Then, abandon man-centered “church growth” tactics.
- Welcome weakness in the pulpit if Christ is strong in the message. And pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to convict, illuminate, and save.
Conclusion: Today’s church has forgotten this: It is the Cross or Nothing, but now Christ has become the source of their greed for materialism.
Christianity is not about self-empowerment, personal branding, or religious nostalgia. It is about one thing: “Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Hero worship fails. Cults devour. Charisma fades. But the cross endures. But most churches today no more preach the cross, but prosperity. That’s the evil popular Christianity has sown into today into the Body of Christ.
In Paul’s trembling voice, the Spirit thundered. In the shame of Calvary, the glory of God was revealed. In every generation, God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, so that no one may boast before Him (1 Corinthians 1:27–29).
Let us strip the pulpits of personality, the church of celebrity, and the gospel of gimmicks. Let us resolve, like Paul, to know nothing else.
Let the church say again:
“We preach Christ, and Him crucified.”
And never, ever cover that up.
