Chapter 15
This is mostly a rambling chapter with Wright highlighting a number of areas where the world needs to be put to rights. Or, to put it more kindly (and accurately), where the mission of the church is needed. The final paragraph, rather fittingly, kind of sums up all that I think is wrong with this book. Here he says: “The message for us, then is plain. Forget the “works contract”, with its angry, legalistic divinity...” Well, I never believed in this pathetic caricature, so it is rather difficult to forget it.
If any of you have read through all this blog, congratulations! It was way longer than I envisaged at the start, and far more negative than I anticipated it would be. Wright sets up this ridiculous caricature of evangelical/reformed atonement theology. The tragic thing is that most, maybe even all, of the positive things in the book (ie the great purpose God has for His people, and the absolute and ongoing significance of Israel) could have been said based on an evangelical/reformed theology. I am part of a charismatic church, we firmly believe in the atonement view of the cross. We are also actively committed to social action in a variety of ways, to preaching the gospel, and a gospel that changes people’s lives, both on an individual level, and at a societal level. No waiting to get to heaven. There is another quite different church a few hundred yards up the road, but with thoroughly reformed view of the cross. They too are no “ticket to heaven” merchants, but a church with a mission to make a difference.
Wright could have written a much better and more relevant book. There are also things that trouble me, particularly the approach to sin. On the other hand, the theme of seeing the cross in the light of the whole Bible is vital. In view of that, I shall now go on to re-read Leon Morris’ book on the Atonement, and John Stott’s “The Cross of Christ”.
Don’t worry, I have no intentions of writing reviews of these books!
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