Today we will begin a section of "Who Will Be Saved?" that deals with "for what might we hope." Willimon uses some thoughts by theologian Karl Barth.
Karl Barth revived the question of whether we can hope, whether we should hope, that in the end all will be saved. Let me quickly sketch Barth's take on salvation. Barth loved the phrase "Jesus is Victor!" even more than the biblical "Jesus is Lord." Jesus is not just love but active, resourceful, victorious love that has defeated principalities and powers, stripped them of their pretense, and forever secured all creation as his territory. Although many (most?) of the human beneficiaries of Christ's saving, victorious work may be oblivious to Christ's triumph, that doesn't change the fact. God's Genesis assault upon chaos was brought to glorious fulfillment in Jesus' victory on Golgotha. The providential grace of God that many experience in their day-to-day lives is the same as the redeeming grace of God that confronts us and saves us in the cross of Christ. Both divine actions (creation and redemption) have the same divine purpose - to draw all things unto God.
"God's Genesis assault on chaos" - what a vivid description. The powers and principalities that keep binding up God's people and throwing them around as though they are worthless is remade into the image of God. It is not a violent assault, just a very thorough one. No one is left out of that image because God brings all things into new life and makes room within creation for all...never, ever just some. Our God busts things wide open and remakes all things. This also, when added to the life of Jesus, is an active power...the power of love that transforms all for all.
Connection: We are each, therefore, a living word of hope. How can we speak anything other than that eternal truth for all?!?!
Lord of Creation and Redemption, you have completed all things and continue to shape us by your life-giving power so that your love will be the image of our life together - a witness to all and for all. We give you thanks. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment