I was finishing up Joseph Ratzinger's Introduction to Christianity and it came to the part in the Apostles' Creed about how Jesus will "come again to judge the living and the dead."
“Salvation comes "through the fire," an ordeal everyone must undergo. No matter who you are, you will, in the end, face the music”
I think perhaps there might need to be some proportionality considered here first and woven into the proposition, before making such a broad statement. Does a young child of five dying of cancer “face the music” (?) or those with severe (ASD) (?) As we hear or read those words of Paul, clearly inspired by The Spirit, He is transforming our hearts and minds towards the revelation of who God is in Christ and what he has done for us. An acknowledgement of our responsibility is integral, but it will never be enough, nor will it ever supersede his Grace – “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” – Romans 5:20
I would think it will be like the story of how during Harry Truman's 1948 "Whistle Stop" presidential campaign, a supporter in Iowa yelled "Give 'em Hell Harry". Truman shot back, "I don't give 'em Hell, I just tell the truth and they think it's Hell".
“I attempt to hold together two theological commitments that sit in tension. First, a hopeful eschatology where God, in the end, is "all in all." Second, a fierce prophetic conviction that what we do here on earth matters and that God will judge the evils, injustices, and oppressions at work in the world.”
Beautifully expressed as usual. I’m teaching an adult class on Christian Universalism and looking for ways to express the fact that it does not preclude judgement. This will help alongside George MacDonald’s famous sermon, The Refining Fire.”
“Salvation comes "through the fire," an ordeal everyone must undergo. No matter who you are, you will, in the end, face the music”
I think perhaps there might need to be some proportionality considered here first and woven into the proposition, before making such a broad statement. Does a young child of five dying of cancer “face the music” (?) or those with severe (ASD) (?) As we hear or read those words of Paul, clearly inspired by The Spirit, He is transforming our hearts and minds towards the revelation of who God is in Christ and what he has done for us. An acknowledgement of our responsibility is integral, but it will never be enough, nor will it ever supersede his Grace – “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” – Romans 5:20
I would think it will be like the story of how during Harry Truman's 1948 "Whistle Stop" presidential campaign, a supporter in Iowa yelled "Give 'em Hell Harry". Truman shot back, "I don't give 'em Hell, I just tell the truth and they think it's Hell".
“I attempt to hold together two theological commitments that sit in tension. First, a hopeful eschatology where God, in the end, is "all in all." Second, a fierce prophetic conviction that what we do here on earth matters and that God will judge the evils, injustices, and oppressions at work in the world.”
I hold these in tension as well.
Beautifully expressed as usual. I’m teaching an adult class on Christian Universalism and looking for ways to express the fact that it does not preclude judgement. This will help alongside George MacDonald’s famous sermon, The Refining Fire.”
Very well done, Richard. Thank you
Beautiful. Brings to mind Ratzinger's writing on "living _for_".