Chapter 1 titled “Missing the Point: Salvation”. The author of this chapter lays out that the church has potentially missed the point by becoming overly decision oriented (my terminology). He points out that terms like “accept Christ as your personal Savior” and “sinners prayer” are not found in the Bible. He points out, accurately I think, that for many salvation is seen as a decision one made, rather than a new life to be lived (again, my terminology). So, if this is the main point of chapter 1 then we agree.
In the process of making his point however, the author goes down an interesting road. He attempts to make the case that in the Old Testament salvation was not seen primarily as being saved from God’s just wrath toward sin, but being saved from oppression, whether it be from the Egyptians, a cruel king (David and Saul), or from wicked empires. The author states that when the angel announced to Joseph that Jesus would “save his people from their sins” it was the “first time in Jewish history, a promised salvation was not liberation from political oppression and religious persecution.” This just isn’t true. It is true that the political climate of the day fostered the “political messiah” idea, but Christ rebuked the Pharisees for not understanding that the Messiah was one who would save from the devastating consequences of sin (John 3) and restore a people to a joyous and satisfying relationship with God (See Isaiah 53 for starters).
Before concluding with a parable that I find a bit “straw-man-esque”, the author makes these remarks (each quote followed by my thoughts):
“So there’s an ancient Jewish way of missing the point (thinking salvation is only about politics and the here and now)”
Absolutely…and not too different from the way some Christians today seem to view salvation.
“and the modern Christian way of missing the point (thinking salvation is only about escaping hell after you die).”
That may be a bit of a generalization, but still those who think this would be missing the Biblical point of salvation. Plus I would add that my main issue here is not about escaping hell per-se it’s about fleeing the wrath that is to come – the wrath of God poured out against all unrighteousness. The paradox is that we flee God’s wrath by running to God via Christ!
“There’s another approach: that salvation means being rescued from fruitless ways of life here and now, to share in God’s saving love for all creation, in an adventure called the kingdom of God, the point of which you definitely don’t want to miss.”
Now what I like about that statement is that it implies the concept that the pleasures of this life are a fruitless enterprise and only through salvation can we find that fullness of joy forevermore. But I find the statement somewhat empty. Where is God’s grace? Where is God’s wrath juxtaposed with God’s love? Where is the point that salvation is ultimately not about me at all, but about God’s glory? Without recognizing who we were, where we came from and where we were heading; we cannot fully grasp the impact of who God has made us, the new course He has given us and the final rest He has promised us.
To sum up allow me to adapt a quote from Douglas Wilson on his blog: As is so often the case with those who suggest a recasting of doctrine, the problem is not so much with what the author proposes to add to our understanding, but what he wants to take away, or unintentionally omit.
