No humans suffered divine condemnation in the making of this salvation.

Jesus was ‘raised from the dead through the proof [doxa] of the Father” (Romans 6:4) to be Lord of all! This was none other than the Father’s RIGHTEOUSNESS / JUSTICE now, finally, once-and-for-all DISPLAYED (Romans 3:25-26) before the eyes of veracious witnesses and thence to the whole world! It is the “glory” (that is, the proof) of God to DO JUSTICE to the needy and oppressed and righteous when they call upon His glorious name/reputation. [4/05/09]

God’s personal unveiling at the Messianic climax was replete and multifaceted. His graciousness, to be sure, was revealed to all who trusted him, especially at the coming of the promised Wholesome Spirit at Pentecost. But even toward “the irreverent,” bitter “enemies,” and hardened “sinners” who could have expected only wrath and condemnation, the “Crossurrection” manifested only God’s longsuffering, patience, toleration, kindness, and mercy! NO HUMAN BEINGS SUFFERED THE LEAST DIVINE CONDEMNATION BY ANY FACET OF THIS SUBLIME SERIES OF DIVINE UNVEILINGS OF HIS DEEPEST, TRUEST CHARACTER. The cup of Israel’s sin was not yet full. The nets of God’s Royal Proclamation were first to gather a vast haul of humans into the ship of grace. Only after this catch was brought in safely did God make known a further revelation of His wrath or indignation—this time to those who dared refuse the revelation of His supreme offer of forgiveness that the heretofore unavenged crucifixion of His beloved Son actually signified. Who could possibly rebuff such an endearing display of God’s love to the Jewish nation except those who “love darkness rather than light because their deeds are vicious” (John 3:19)? They were accordingly “treasuring up indignation against the day of indignation” (Romans 2:5, 9, 16) that the apostles had regularly been threatening in their epistles, in line with the Lord’s Olivet discourse.

All nations should take warning at the mutually corroborating effect of God’s words and historic deeds. These, in tandem, are intended to bring all nations to their knees in repentance and worship, not to mention the enjoyment of the benefits of salvation! [4/06/09; 12/22/16]

CROSS MONGERING

Cross mongering, such as Leon Morris, J. I. Packer, John Stott, Alister McGrath, and many others indulge in, has the calculated effect of throwing a shadow over, indeed, even eclipsing, the Resurrection! This sadly misguided theological strategy has been undermining the most distinctive element of the apostolic gospel for much of the 20^th century. Alas, it did not stop there. This new century must yet somehow see a thoroughgoing restoration of the authentic resurrectionary Proclamation of Jesus and his genuine spokesmen! [4/08/09]

If our being born mortal and bound to sin was not our fault but Adam’s, then the solution to this “body of death” likewise ought to be fittingly gratuitous. And so it is! God Himself provided the way back to life, and it is free for the taking! It is taken by faith instead of any “dead works,” since faith alone accords with the graciousness of the Gift. Perfect. Yet still many people resist the inviting message of God’s free salvation. This is the calculated possibility of creating beings in His own image, with self-authorizing (autexousios) capabilities, and God would have it no other way! [4/09/09]

The wide application of God’s INDIGNATION and its NUANCES

Mark 3:5 (Jesus’ response to human callousness)

John 3:36 (God’s response to stubbornness toward His Son)

Romans 1:18, 2:5, 8, 4:15, 12:19, 13:4-5

Ephesians 2:3, 4:31, 5:6

Colossians 3:6 (and if you return to those practices, you shall feel God’s wrath again), 8

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (“…to come”), 2:16 (70 A.D., “abomination of desolation”

prophesied by Daniel and Jesus), 5:9 (“not appointed to…”)

1 Timothy 2:8

Hebrews 3:11 (because of their stubbornness!), 4:3

James 1:19 (“slow to wrath,” just like God Himself!), 20 (human wrath does not work

God’s righteousness, i.e., resurrectionary graciousness; just the opposite!)

Revelation 11:18 (nations were angered by God’s taking His great power to reign, so His

anger came…), 12:17 (but the Dragon also got angry)

[6/18/08; 6/30/16]

At the Cross, Jesus was not suffering under what so many theologians assert he was suffering under, in order that we might not have to suffer under it. Rather, he was suffering under what he should not have had to suffer under, in order that we could enjoy what he was rightfully going to get in recompense. Here the justice that is operative is entirely restorative and not at all penal or punitive. The Just One died wrongfully for the sake of the unjust and irreverent so that “Him Who is judging justly” (1 Peter 2:23) might requite him with the promise of the Covenant (Hebrews 10:36) and a “great reward” (Hebrews 10:35) to share with those who consent to believe he suffered for them. The benefit of his suffering of abuse is only enjoyed through exerting faith in the Message about what he did for us and on our behalf. Here there is not an ounce of penal substitution. It is heroic inclusion, lock, stock, and barrel. [6/18/08]

The Evangelical movement, so-called, boasts many a “guard dog” of their distinctive “dogmas.” And I would go so far as to grant them this designation…with the exception of the modifier. For they have not behaved themselves as gentlemen (they are predominantly men), but are needlessly dogmatic and denunciatory, bristling with prickly shibboleths. But worse, they have not guarded the supremacy of Scripture itself alone, in its own inspired vocabulary and conceptuality, but have fenced it off with their own novel, creedal barbed wire. One could have hoped at least for chain link, but the numerous gaps in their logic evidently demanded another recourse for protection. Non sequiturs and excluded middles fill in for many a missing link. You could drive a semi through some of the gaping holes in their logic. [6/18/08]