Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
The Cross Is Foolishness
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But for us it has become the wisdom of God
The Cross is foolishness to those who perish
But for us it is salvation and power from God
Some look for miracles, some look for wisdom
But we preach only Jesus crucified
It seems absurdity, it seems so foolish
()
()
Eye has never seen, ear has never heard
Nor has it dawned on the limits of the mind
What God has surely prepared
For those who love Him
He reveals this wisdom through the Spirit of God
()
In The Cross Is Foolishness, John Michael Talbot refers to the paradoxical nature of the cross of Jesus Christ. The very symbol that was used to torture and kill Jesus is now the symbol of hope and salvation for Christians. The first verse states that the cross is seen as foolishness to those who are lost or who do not know God. However, to those who believe, the cross is the manifestation of God's wisdom. Talbot explains that while some people look for signs or tangible miracles, he preaches only the message of Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross.
The second verse continues the theme of the cross as something that may seem absurd, but is the wisdom of God. Talbot refers to a passage from 1 Corinthians 2:9 that the eye has not seen nor ear heard all the good things God has prepared for those who love Him. But, it is through the Holy Spirit that one can discern the wisdom and salvation in the cross. In short, the cross appears as foolishness to those who do not know its true meaning, but is seen as the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity by Christians.
Line by Line Meaning
The Cross is foolishness to those who perish
To those who do not believe in the power of the Cross, it seems like a foolish concept
But for us it has become the wisdom of God
However, for those who have faith, the Cross is the ultimate display of divine wisdom
The Cross is foolishness to those who perish
Again, for those who cannot understand its significance, the Cross seems like a meaningless sacrifice
But for us it is salvation and power from God
But for believers, the Cross represents salvation and the ultimate power of God over sin and death
Some look for miracles, some look for wisdom
Some people are searching for concrete proof of God's existence, while others are seeking intellectual understanding
But we preach only Jesus crucified
But as Christians, we focus solely on the message of Jesus and his sacrifice on the Cross
It seems absurdity, it seems so foolish
To those who reject it, the idea of a divine sacrifice may seem completely ridiculous
But to us it is the wisdom of God
But from a spiritual perspective, the Cross represents the ultimate act of wisdom and love from God
Eye has never seen, ear has never heard
Human senses are unable to fully comprehend the depth and breadth of God's plan
Nor has it dawned on the limits of the mind
The human mind is incapable of grasping the full extent of God's power and wisdom
What God has surely prepared
Despite this, believers trust that God has a divine plan in store for them
For those who love Him
This plan is reserved for those who truly love and follow God
He reveals this wisdom through the Spirit of God
The true wisdom of God can only be understood through the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.