“The crucified Messiah [is] the final revelation of the divine character and divine purpose.” He was rejected because people expected a Messiah “perfect in power and perfect in goodness.” But “the revelation of divine goodness in history must be powerless.” If human power in history—among races, nations, and other collectives as well as individuals—is self-interested power, then “the revelation of divine goodness in history” must be weak and not strong.
