Mfonobong Inyang Explores the Significance of the Cross

Oxford University Press designated 'ragebait' as its 2025 word of the year, but I believe 'context' is poised to be a strong contender this year, even though we are only a few months into 2026. Context, a term recently misused by many communicators, is crucial as it provides a more fitting presentation of the subject matter.

The Bible is no exception; without proper context, a single verse can be twisted to support various agendas. Many individuals labelled as 'fake preachers' are often simply lazy, uninformed, or dishonest in their handling of scripture. This was so significant that Paul emphasized to his protégé the necessity of 'rightly dividing' the text, doing justice to its meaning. As a skilled craftsman himself, Paul understood the concept of 'orthotomeo,' the Greek term for precise cutting. He even noted in a letter to Timothy that those who diligently strive for accurate interpretation should receive not only honour but also material support. Paul viewed this as an existential danger because misrepresenting God is one of religion's most potent weapons, a challenge our society continues to grapple with. In a previous article, I discussed how Paul himself transitioned from being a radical persecutor, who believed killing 'infidels' served God, to an apostle after his mission was interrupted.

The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew and Aramaic, while the New Testament was composed in Greek, not English. This is why studying root words is essential to recover original meanings that might be lost in translation. Therefore, when the Bible states that 'the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,' the etymology of 'fear' implies awe and reverence, not terror. Similarly, when the Bible mentions the 'face' or 'hand' of God, it employs anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics to a non-physical entity. As God is spirit, the 'face' signifies an encounter with God, and the 'hand' represents God's influence. Occasionally, the Hebrew word 'mal'ak,' often translated as 'angel,' functions as a general term for celestial beings. Depending on the context, it could refer to an evil spirit (as in Saul's case), a divine messenger (like with Samson), or the pre-incarnate Christ (as with Joshua).

The Prototype

Throughout recorded history, humanity has sought a deeper understanding of God. While glimpses have been attained, religious rituals often filled the gaps where direct understanding failed. Joseph perceived God through stewardship and service, embodying these traits in both his trials and his position as prime minister. Moses played a pivotal role; God seemingly transported him to the very beginning of creation to document its origins. His upbringing in a powerful empire and his mission to lead a nation of slaves shaped his perception of God, leading his archetype to be associated with themes of governance, leadership, constitutional structure, and administrative competence. Abraham encountered God through covenant, obedience, and faith, enabling him to obey God even at the potential cost of his son, Isaac. Joshua experienced God as the leader of his people into the Promised Land, reflected in his military focus due to the contested nature of those territories. David exemplified the messianic reign, dedicating himself to protecting his kingdom's sovereignty, often against external threats.

While the Bible is not strictly a history book, it chronicles historically accurate events. Much of what is recorded, especially in the Old Testament, is descriptive rather than prescriptive; meaning documentation does not automatically equate to doctrine. Understanding this distinction helps resolve debates, such as whether getting a tattoo is a sin, by considering the historical context. For instance, some men cite Solomon's 300 wives and 700 concubines to justify promiscuous behaviour. However, a deeper look reveals Judah's introduction of sexual impropriety into the lineage by his affair with his daughter-in-law, Tamar. This pattern continued through Jesse, who had a relationship with a woman not his wife, resulting in David. David himself acknowledged this heritage in a Psalm, stating, 'in sin did my father and mother conceive me,' and his adultery with Bathsheba is well-documented. By the time of Solomon, his immense wealth facilitated the very temptations that plagued his lineage. Therefore, using Solomon as a benchmark for behaviour is questionable, particularly since the scripture states, 'a greater than Solomon is here.'

Regardless of their individual accomplishments, none of these figures were the 'prototokos' (the prototype, model, or pattern) until Jesus Christ, who was God incarnate, appeared. Many attempted to position Moses as the ultimate model; his influence was so profound that his body was contested even after death. Religious followers adopted his practice of solitary prayer on mountains, but Jesus told the Samaritan woman that post-ascension worship would not be confined to specific locations. When Jesus introduced the principle of turning the other cheek, it was not a sign of weakness but a direct challenge to the Mosaic Law's 'an eye for an eye' principle. Despite being Jesus' companion for three years, Peter, still influenced by religious norms, considered Moses his primary model. At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared as representatives of the Law and the prophets, respectively. However, they were dismissed, and God explicitly instructed the disciples to 'Listen to him!' when they saw Jesus alone, signifying Jesus as the ultimate reference point.

The Declassified Documents

The entire Bible centres on Jesus, though this may not always be evident due to the multitude of stories, characters, and events. In the Old Testament, knowledge of Jesus is presented discreetly, 'hidden in plain sight.' The intelligence community refers to this as 'deep cover' or 'deep shadow,' a covert operation where agents use aliases. Jesus, as the 'logos' or divine intelligence, did not reveal himself fully until the appointed time. Before declaring himself the 'Bread of Life,' he left 'breadcrumbs' from the Garden of Eden. When God replaced Adam and Eve's fig-leaf covering with animal skins, it foreshadowed the sacrifice on Calvary centuries later. Gradually, many recognized this animal as a spotless lamb. Isaiah later understood this lamb to be a man who would voluntarily offer himself. John the Baptist officially revealed Jesus' identity at the Jordan River, proclaiming, 'Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'

Jesus' assessment of greatness among disciples was not based on oratorical skill or miraculous feats but on the depth of revelation concerning him. John, despite lacking notable miracles, was rated by Jesus above those who performed extraordinary acts. I refer to the Pauline Epistles as the 'declassified documents,' which is why I consider Paul 'QB1.' In a previous article, I mentioned that Paul clarified Jesus as the true promised seed of Abraham, not Isaac. Paul also revealed a concealed truth to the Corinthians regarding Jesus' covert actions in the wilderness while Moses led the people to the Promised Land: 'They drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them and the Rock was Christ.' Paul's profound focus on revealing Jesus is evident in his declaration, 'For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.'

It is not surprising that the 'abundance of revelations' that positioned Paul as 'QB1' also subjected him to significant opposition. Therefore, claims that Paul's teachings deviate from Jesus' message are unfounded. Jesus not only personally selected Paul but also identified him as his personal representative and special envoy. Even demonic entities acknowledged the alignment between Jesus and Paul, as seen when they attacked the sons of Sceva. The Roman Empire employed various statecraft tools, including crucifixion as a punishment for dissenters and character assassination, as exemplified by the quote from 'Gladiator': 'You have a great name. He (Commodus) must kill your name before he kills you.' Thus, propaganda against Paul was not unique to the 21st century.

Blood: Liquid, Language, Legislation

John 3:16, a well-known Bible verse, states, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,' alluding to Isaiah 9:6, which reads, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.' These verses point to the child's birth in a manger (Christmas) and the son's sacrifice on the cross (celebrating his death, burial, and resurrection). Paul highlighted that the New Testament is not merely literature but 'liquid' and 'blood': 'For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.' He also described Jesus' blood as currency and 'legislation,' and his advocacy as speaking 'better things.' For those who question Jesus' death, believing God was too powerful to permit it, Paul explains that while his crucifixion might appear as weakness, his resurrection demonstrated the ultimate display of God's power. Therefore, much was at stake, making Golgotha the deliberate choice for Jesus' crucifixion.