I've been watching Professor John Barclay interviewed on CPX about the idea of 'grace' or 'gift' in Western Thought. This has helped me clarify my thoughts on the common, but unhelpful expression 'unconditional love' (describing God).
One reason that this is unsatisfactory is that there was a condition (in a sense)- Jesus died for us, and bore our sins, which were causing offence to God. Forgiveness and friendship with God are not cheap as might be suggested by 'unconditional'.
Another reason is that 'unconditional' tends to suggest that there is no ongoing responsibility or obligation following faith- as if faith in Christ connects us to his work without any expected transformation. That we can carry on as we were. Zacchaeus is one of many examples where this is not so.
I have been training myself to use 'undeserved' when speaking of God's love for us.
Barclay discusses how in the world of Jesus (and Paul) a 'gift' or 'grace' had strings attached- it was given because it was deserved.
Jesus shattered expectations by giving gifts to the 'undeserving'.
No comments:
Post a Comment