I awkwardly picked this one out to read if I’m going to be honest. I’m hesitant with theological books for a few reasons, 9 times out of 10 they are over my head. I’m a smart girl but theology, philosophy, etc aren’t my wheelhouse and I admit that. But I also don’t want to simply believe in my husband’s theology or my church’s theology or anyone else’s without knowing my own. The problem lies in I have a hard time articulating my thoughts, my believes and why I believe in them.
Enter Brian Zahnd, he gave my belief and my theology words. Sinners in the hands of a Loving God, is the articulation of what I’ve felt, believed, and struggled with communicating for years.
Jesus is the lens through which we read the Bible.
What the Bible does infallibly and inerrantly is point to Jesus, just like John the Baptist did. pg. 31
I not only understand what Zahnd is saying through his book, it’s a clear understanding of what I have struggled to articulate to those who ask me about my faith. He begins talking about the ever famous sermon given by Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God” and dissects how this sermon is not only a bad representation of Edward’s preaching as a whole but how Evangelism by terrorism (his words not mine) isn’t faithful to the representation of God or Jesus. (I hesitated there and wanted to say isn’t Biblical, but as Zahnd goes on to say in the book. When we elevate the Bible over what Jesus says, we can make anything Biblical)
As a Christian, we ought to read the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Jesus was the Word made flesh and is the true logic of God. (John 1) No, he didn’t speak on every aspect but the question “What would Jesus do?” or better yet NOT do is the ultimate lens.
Jesus taught us that love & justice is for all not just the Jewish people for when he arrived. He taught that peace and turning the other cheek is greater than an eye for an eye. As readers of the Bible we have to decide if Jesus has the ultimate authority & if so then His teaching must be greater and elevated over those that came before Him. We need to read the OT (old testament) so that we can understand how far our grasp of God has come, through the teachings of Jesus.
It’s not Biblical principles we are called to live by but the truth of Christ. pg 58
It means living out the values Jesus imparted to us. Loving our neighbors & enemies alike, going not one mile but 2, and serving those around us. So often he spoke he said “You’ve heard it said…but I say…”
Are you living a life as depicted by what Jesus said? I fail daily but my loving Father doesn’t abhor me or dangle me like a spider over the flame as Edwards claims in “Sinners of an Angry God”. Instead he kills the fatten calf and welcomes me home, each & every time I repent, as Jesus taught in Luke 15:11-32
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing through the links on my blog I receive a small compensation at no additional cost to you.
Stylishly Shelby 