God the Peacemaker Intro
Graham Cole, an Aussie, past Principal of Ridley Melbourne Mission & Ministry College and currently Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School has recently written a must read book: God the Peacemaker: How atonement brings shalom.
We’re going to be conversation partners with Graham as we takes us on a biblical journey that demonstrates that the atonement should bring us peace – it is made through the blood of the Cross. On the journey, Graham will interact with two principal ‘models’ of the atonement: penal substitution and Christus Victor.
What dominant image comes to mind when ‘atonement’ is mentioned? Forgiveness of sins? Peace?
Graham notes that the “theological code word” to describe the diverse response to evil is ‘atonement.’ It is the cross of Jesus Christ that brings peace – and this peace is not a mere absence of strife. The biblical concept of peace, quoting S.E.Porter is:
“…one in which God’s authority and power over his created order are seen to dominate his relations with his world, including both the material and the human spheres.”
Biblical peace is simply shalom. As Graham begins his study, the reader is reminded that the gospel is no narrow affiar. The cross touches the individual, the church and the wider creation.
Stay tuned for Chapter One – our journey with God the Peacemaker starts with God – the righteous God of holy love.