When does the cross of Christ matter?

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2)

Verse 2 cannot be taken absolutely as if the only doctrine Paul taught on was the crucifixion (cf. 1 Cor. 15:3–8, in which the resurrection proves equally crucial) but refers rather to its centrality in his preaching. At Corinth, in particular, the church needed to embrace more of the humility of the cross and tone down the triumphalism of the resurrection.

 Blomberg, C. (1994). 1 Corinthians (pp. 54–55). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Paul had to emphasize what was needed at the time, and this group needed the cross. So does American Christianity.