|
John:We read everything with the eyes of a
pre-existing understanding. That 'reading' includes of vocabulary of our
tradition. That 'reading' includes the distinctive meaning we invest into
Scripture and, draw from Scripture.Standing under the scriptures in order
that the Living Word (our man in glory) might speak to us of Himself by the
Spirit is no mean feat.(only grace permits it)
To replace traditional doctrinal frameworks with
the very person of the Living Christ is what we ought to be 'on
about'
Baxter is a friend. He and four friends are driving
up from Mississippi at the end of September (24-27) for a conference. That
Pentecostal pastor of whom I spoke will also be leading a workshop. The whole
conference is being "CD'd" should anyone want to hear BEFORE
criticizing.
Just finished reading two books: one is
The Great Dance, by Kruger and the second, the Letter to the Ephesians, by
Paul. ------- all of it is a little
overwhelming. Much insight and some questions.
I will say that Kruger is no theological liberal. At
least, not according to my understanding of such a label. That is
not to say that he is a "fundamentalist" either. Perhaps he is
just his own man in Christ.
His explanation for the differences
and fallacies of both pantheism and deism is somewhat profound. He
cautions against a theology that finds the individual lost in the larger
notion of God while, on the other hand, embracing a theology that so
separates the two (the individual and God) as to place God "up there" and the
rest of us "down here."
If he has a working teaching of
the indwelling Spirit, it is not as evident as it might be. I have no
idea how he handles the issue of "accepting Christ." Because of his
convincing presentation regarding the universality of the redeeming work of
Christ, he leaves open a door for criticism by those who do not
carefully read his work or who have a working bias that prevents them from
doing so. He is a believer.
His background is
"high church" and that reality plays a larger role in his thinking that
even he might suppose. It is his bias. We all have
such. Specifically, he does not speak of "justification" except to say
that it is overplayed by many in the Western Church.
He rejects the idea
of an angry God who is isolated from his creation because of sin and can only
deal with us through Christ. He thinks that we have over
emphasized the Cross TO THE NEAR EXCLUSION OF THE INCARNATE
CHRIST. His argument in defense of such is both effective and
biblical.
He does not believe in universalism and
clearly makes the point. However, he spends no time dealing with
the problematic issues of universality verses universalism. It is
not the purpose of his book to develop a systematic theology. Rather,
the more narrow issue of the communal essence of a triune God at work in this
fallen world is his only real purpose. And, he develops his essay
in just less than 100 pages.
Paul's letter is
even shorter. But what he says is profound. I had not
realized it before, but Paul in this letter is making an effort to show how it
is that Gentiles are equally included in the mission and purposes of God
through Christ. As this letter relates to Kruger's theme, chapter
1:4-5 are profound. I am going to quote this passage from the New
Living Bible.
Long ago, even before he made the world,
God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his
eyes, His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own
family by bringing us to himself through Jesus
Christ
"Us" has a universal tone to it
(just as does these words "For God so loved the world ....)
I found in these words supoortive of much of the theology of
Kruger. And just as importantly, I found a little justification
for my thinking that Adam was never the complete picture without Christ.
I don't think anyone needs to be afraid to read Kruger --- but
it is not for the casual student. By that, I mean that he will make you
think. He does not use the high tone words Torrance is fond
of -- but his theology is not what most of us are used to.
Demon Bias is
everywhere.
John
|
