God's Control+Alt+Delete

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Here is the latest in our discussions of Robert Jenson’s work on the Last Things.

This Monday, we will finish the final section of “The Saints”

You can join us live here at 7:00 EST.

In addition to the last few paragraphs of “The Saints” we will discuss the first portion of his essay on the The Great Transformation:

Jenson The Great Transformation862KB ∙ PDF fileDownloadDownload

Summary

This conversation explores the themes of saints, eternity, and the nature of salvation as discussed by Robert Jensen. The participants delve into the implications of cosmic rectification, the relationship between judgment and justice, and the concept of heaven as a place of mutual discovery and individual identity. They challenge popular notions of heaven and emphasize the continuity of identity in the afterlife, while also addressing the restorative nature of divine justice. In this conversation, Marty Folsom and Jason Micheli explore the themes of righteousness, healing, judgment, grace, and the nature of salvation as presented in Christian theology. They discuss the implications of baptism, the urgency of living in Christ, and the possibility of exclusion from salvation, emphasizing God's love and grace throughout the discourse. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these concepts in the context of everyday life and the church's mission.

Takeaways

Salvation is cosmic in scope and affects individual believers.

Rectification involves more than condemnation; it includes restoration.

Heaven is not a boring existence but a place of discovery.

Justice in heaven is restorative, fulfilling God's love.

Individual identity continues in eternity, shaped by our earthly lives.

The works we do nurture our eternal identity.

Fear of punishment is eliminated in heaven, allowing for true communion.

Heaven is a place where love removes fear and shame.

The nature of justice is intertwined with love and restoration.

Eternity involves a journey of becoming more fully ourselves. Righteousness in Christ is not limited to the cross.

Healing is an ongoing process, even in heaven.

Judgment should be viewed through the lens of grace.

Baptism is fundamentally about Christ's work, not our own.

Individualism can lead to a distorted view of faith.

The urgency of faith is rooted in the love of Christ.

Exclusion is possible, but not central to the gospel message.

The church's message should focus on inclusion and grace.

Understanding our identity in Christ is crucial for living faithfully.

God's love is unconditional, even in the face of human failure.

Sound Bites

"What will it mean for individual believers?"

"Heaven is that place where love removes fear."

"Heaven looks kind of like a waking up."

"Healing is still happening in heaven."

"Judgment no longer confines them."

"The threat of exclusion is made precisely to turn us away."

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