It was clear through unlearned persons that the cross was persuasive. In fact it persuaded the whole world. How the foolishness of God is wiser than we are, and God’s weakness stronger than we are!

In what way stronger? The living who waged war on a dead man [Jesus] proved helpless. Therefore, when a Greek tells me I am dead, he shows only that he is foolish indeed, for I, whom he thinks a fool, turn out to be wiser than those reputed wise. Paul had this in mind when he said: “The weakness of God is stronger than humankind.” That the preaching of the Apostles [Bartholomew among them] was indeed divine is brought home to us in the same way. That they were fearful and timid, the evangelist makes clear; he did not reject the fact or try to hide their weaknesses. Indeed he turned these into a proof of truth. What did he say of them? That when Christ was arrested, the others fled, despite all the miracles they had seen.

How then account for the fact that these men, who in Christ’s lifetime did not stand up to attacks by the Jews, set forth to do battle with the whole world once Christ was dead–if, as you claim, Christ did not rise and speak to them and rouse their courage? Did they perhaps say to themselves: “What is this? He could not save himself but he will protect us? He did not help himself when he was alive, but now that he is dead he will extend a helping hand to us? In his lifetime he brought no nation under his banner, but by uttering his name we will win over the whole world?” Would it not be wholly irrational even to think such thoughts, much less to act upon them?

–John Chrysostom, Homily 4 on 1 Corinthians 3-4

I cannot help but substitute atheist or secularist or politically correct for Greek in Chrysostom’s writing and see that things have not changed much over time, at least in regard to being an enemy of the cross. May God in his mercy give real wisdom to these poor lost souls so that they too might enjoy real life.