There is a video of a panel discussion posted on the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary website. The topic is N.T. Wright. If for some reason such a thing interests you, watch it here. I am neither Southern nor a Baptist, which is probably why I found the discussion to be largely unfair, and a touch ironic. As has been pointed out by others, it is the height of irony for those who hold fast to Reformation teaching to constantly appeal to tradition (as these learned gentlemen do) when somebody seemingly goes against the grain.
Anyway, to the point. This panel briefly touch on N.T. Wright's succinct gospel definition, which is the news that the crucified and resurrected Jesus is Lord of the universe, or something. to that effect This, they say, is not the gospel. Or at least it is not good news. Depraved man lies in great peril when confronted with a perfect Lord.
I won't go into all of the ins and outs of this, but it seems to me extremely harsh to proclaim that Jesus -- the man who went around doing good to depraved sinners -- being Lord of the universe is not good news.
Also, in Romans 2 Paul talks about "that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Jesus Christ". What would the panel have to say about Paul including God's judgment as part of his gospel? Something about tradition, perhaps.
I don't know the full extent of the gospel, but I do think that many under the Reformed umbrella cling to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 in such a way that anything lying outside of these verses is not the gospel. I don't deny the primacy of the crucifixion and resurrection, which are the focal point of God's dealings with human sin. These truths, as Paul says, are of first importance. But there is more, and evidently God's judgment is some of that more.
Anyway, just some undeveloped thoughts for you to mull over.
Anyway, to the point. This panel briefly touch on N.T. Wright's succinct gospel definition, which is the news that the crucified and resurrected Jesus is Lord of the universe, or something. to that effect This, they say, is not the gospel. Or at least it is not good news. Depraved man lies in great peril when confronted with a perfect Lord.
I won't go into all of the ins and outs of this, but it seems to me extremely harsh to proclaim that Jesus -- the man who went around doing good to depraved sinners -- being Lord of the universe is not good news.
Also, in Romans 2 Paul talks about "that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Jesus Christ". What would the panel have to say about Paul including God's judgment as part of his gospel? Something about tradition, perhaps.
I don't know the full extent of the gospel, but I do think that many under the Reformed umbrella cling to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 in such a way that anything lying outside of these verses is not the gospel. I don't deny the primacy of the crucifixion and resurrection, which are the focal point of God's dealings with human sin. These truths, as Paul says, are of first importance. But there is more, and evidently God's judgment is some of that more.
Anyway, just some undeveloped thoughts for you to mull over.
Well.. I will be waiting for your mulled over thoughts.. since I am in the South, but not Baptist :) I might even watch the video for kicks..
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much a panel discussion on Tom Wright as it is 5 men patting Reformed Theology on the back while branding Wright as a proponent of "another gospel" a la those Galatian judaizers. Pretty strong stuff, and worth a watch if, like me, you have nothing better to do :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, expect some semi-mulled over thoughts to appear over the coming weeks...