By Leon Bent –
We are in the season of Lent. I want to offer you my favourite insights. The first is from the book, “The Crucified God” by Jürgen Moltmann. Salvation by the Redeemer-God should be understood in terms of the Kingdom of God. Salvation is not about souls being salvaged from a lost world, but about God’s in-breaking Kingship in this world. In philosophical terms: The very substance of Salvation is God’s Reign comprising wholeness of life: Shalom – Prosperity – nothing broken, nothing missing!
The Kingdom of God is “the real heart of eschatology”, Moltmann stated in “Theology of Hope”. Therefore, it is at the core of all theology. Moreover, it is the centre of the Gospel, as the whole cosmos will be brought to salvation, healed and made fruitful, in the Kingdom of God.
Why did Christ rise from the dead? Paul says, “If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, our faith would be in vain” (1 Cor.15:14). The Resurrection is an integral part of Christ’s work of salvation. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus, both, together, work for our Redemption.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains his signature theology in “The Cost of Discipleship.” Cheap grace is the preaching of Forgiveness without requiring Repentance, Baptism without Church Discipline, Absolution without Confession, Holy Communion without Confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the Cross, grace without Jesus Christ.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field, for the sake of which a man sells all he has. It is the pearl of great price, to buy which, the merchant sell all his goods. It is the Kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets, and follows him.
Costly Grace calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because Jesus died for it! Renunciation, Suffering and Obedience, then, comprise the badge of true discipleship. It really forgives sin and gives freedom to the sinner.
Jesus – Masterpiece of Salvation!
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi.