“The only thing that can orient creatures rightly to God is just this- the realization that God is with us. This grants us a new story about God and in turn, a new story about ourselves.” So good!
I would add that this view reorients (I would not say “reimagined” b/c I think this idea exists) us to a more accurate gospel. The gospel message commonly preached that says, “you have sin/are a sinner and need Jesus” falls on deaf ears to those who benefit and perhaps flourish (in a way) from their sin. The gospel that invites the hearer into the communion of Holy Trinitarian Love of a God who is with us, is compelling to the sinner and saint.
Thank you for this. We desperately need more conversations on sin that are thoughtful in this way.
Thank you for this, and for giving language to something that bothers me. I think the “not the way things are supposed to be” can take one of two directions - either “things are not *right*: something has been violated, something has gone wrong - there is a transgression/violation” or “things are not as they could be - they can (should?) be better or more whole.”
I’m a big fan of the former, and think it syncs far better with a Christian doctrine of sin and redemption - there is rebellion, and reconciliation is required: there is transgression, and we need a rescuer or deliverer. The outworking of that reconciliation may lead to change in the things we wish were different or better; but it may not, and may not need to, this side of a full new creation. I think we often have a real confusion between sin and its consequences and effects - like when we pathologize sin as sickness, etc. To imagine (or deeply desire, long for) a world that could or should be better doesn’t have to be linked to sin or its effects; I think it can also be sparked by life as creature with limits - as wonder and delight and awe sparked by the general revelation available to us as those creatures. But the wonder, delight, and awe sparked by God’s reconciliation of the world and all things to himself - that is a deeper, more rich, more complete/full experience.
Also - I do not know that book you referenced at the end. But I’ve now added it as one to look into. Again - thank you.
“The only thing that can orient creatures rightly to God is just this- the realization that God is with us. This grants us a new story about God and in turn, a new story about ourselves.” So good!
I would add that this view reorients (I would not say “reimagined” b/c I think this idea exists) us to a more accurate gospel. The gospel message commonly preached that says, “you have sin/are a sinner and need Jesus” falls on deaf ears to those who benefit and perhaps flourish (in a way) from their sin. The gospel that invites the hearer into the communion of Holy Trinitarian Love of a God who is with us, is compelling to the sinner and saint.
Thank you for this. We desperately need more conversations on sin that are thoughtful in this way.
MOAR!
Really… this was excellent, but it felt like you were just getting warmed up!
Perhaps you might look forward to some publishing news, coming soon.
Thank you for this, and for giving language to something that bothers me. I think the “not the way things are supposed to be” can take one of two directions - either “things are not *right*: something has been violated, something has gone wrong - there is a transgression/violation” or “things are not as they could be - they can (should?) be better or more whole.”
I’m a big fan of the former, and think it syncs far better with a Christian doctrine of sin and redemption - there is rebellion, and reconciliation is required: there is transgression, and we need a rescuer or deliverer. The outworking of that reconciliation may lead to change in the things we wish were different or better; but it may not, and may not need to, this side of a full new creation. I think we often have a real confusion between sin and its consequences and effects - like when we pathologize sin as sickness, etc. To imagine (or deeply desire, long for) a world that could or should be better doesn’t have to be linked to sin or its effects; I think it can also be sparked by life as creature with limits - as wonder and delight and awe sparked by the general revelation available to us as those creatures. But the wonder, delight, and awe sparked by God’s reconciliation of the world and all things to himself - that is a deeper, more rich, more complete/full experience.
Also - I do not know that book you referenced at the end. But I’ve now added it as one to look into. Again - thank you.