Saturday, March 11, 2006

Greg Boyd and the Gospel

Perhaps this speaks to the voluminous influence of criticism of Open Theism, but I have been very surprised by Greg Boyd strong defense of the Gospel. I expected him to be much more liberal -- perhaps an ecumenist or Romanist like some Arminians -- but that couldnt' be further from the truth.

First, there is the book he wrote with his father, Letters From A Skeptic. Boyd, a professor of theology, began in 1989 an intensive period of correspondence with his 70-year-old agnostic father. The letters proved successful, and his father was saved before passing in old age.

I kept waiting to read a review that challenged Boyd's presentation of the Gospel. I've found plenty attacking the book based on Boyd's presentation of God's foreknowledge, but those often conceding the fact that Boyd presents the Gospel in its fullness.

Second, there is his firm critique of the Jesus Seminar, which is as solid as any I've read. This is not just a defense of the Gospel, but a fluid affirmation of its polarized nature. There is a heaven, and there is a hell, and Jesus holds the keys to both kingdoms. Rock solid and surprisingly conservative.

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