Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Remembering wrath

Preachers are tempted to keep our congregations happy, both by what we do in and out of the pulpit. I prefer preaching grace to wrath (more flies with honey and such). Preaching grace is not only happier, it's less threatening in most cases to entrenched sin in the congregation. That's one reason I like being reminded (in this case, by Scot McKnight) of the place of wrath in the Word:
There are many today who shy away from this theme in Paul’s writings, and some even suggest this theme is catastrophic for grace or something we should today tone down since it is so incredibly aggressive. Perhaps so, perhaps so. But is there any way to read the Bible, and you can begin with Deuteronomy 28 at least, and not see that a fundamental and unvarying warrant for getting the attention of humans is to warn them of finality? Is there any other way to read the prophets? Even if the focus of many of the OT passages, perhaps even most, is historical judgment, is there not in this something invisible being revealed through the visible? Is there not a clear and enduring strain in the Bible that says we will ultimately be accountable to God?
Yes, there is.

2 Comments:

Blogger Bill Williams said...

Grace really doesn't make sense without the wrath side of the equation. One thing I really struggle with, though, when it comes to the discussion of wrath, is those who presume to know precisely what God is up to with every wave that rises and every wind that blows. Yes, the prophets were able to declare the disasters and such were measures of God’s wrath, but they did have a bit different relationship with God, if my understanding is correct. I guess if I open my Old Testament and find the book of Robertson, I’d better pay special attention to him. Otherwise, he’s just another blogger ranting on, only he blogs over the nation’s airwaves. Guess I’m ranting a little bit too! Have a blessed day, brother. BTW, sure appreciate the work you do here!! -bw

8:01 AM, May 31, 2006  
Blogger Milton Stanley said...

Thanks for your comments, and a couple are keepers: "The Book of Robertson" and Pat's blogging over the airwaves. Peace.

3:23 PM, May 31, 2006  

Post a Comment

<< Home