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Tonight I had the opportunity to join a group of fellow believers in the viewing of Mel Gibson’s blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ. I had seen the film a number of times prior to this evening, but there was something unique about this instance. While observing what the Bible describes as the final hours before His crucifixion, I was inwardly stunned at how not angry I was at those battering my Savior, how I could stare at the piercing of the hands of my God without moist eyes. Now, do not get me wrong: I did not enjoy watching the brutal slaying of Jesus of Nazareth; I did not relish in this recreational murder the way His Jewish and Roman assailants did. I had become irate and bereaved in past viewings, but not on this occasion.
Though I was distressed and somewhat disturbed at my lack of feeling toward Jesus’ situation, once my Lord and His cross were erected on display to His cruel audience, I immediately felt a rush of fervor flow into my heart – a tide of victory, triumph, accomplishment. This was not a demonstration of shame and calamity I was witnessing, but the supreme embodiment of the promises of Almighty God, for “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (2 Cor 1:20).
These evil acts of depraved men did not serve to unravel God’s ultimate will, but as part of the process of His crowning achievement: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’– for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:26-28).
Much more could be said of this fantastic film, but instead I will simply request, by God’s grace, a renewed understanding and appreciation for the horrid yet wondrous death of Jesus the Christ.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
(Col 2:13,14)
I have been in the process of researching and investigating potential seminaries I would be interested in attending after my time here at Arizona State. I have recently learned that one of my prospects, Westminster Theological Seminary, is currently experiencing a bit of turmoil surrounding the suspension and possible termination of one of its long-time faculty members, Peter Enns. This is reportedly in response to a theological divide among the seminary’s professors believed to be caused by debate over Enns’ controversial book, Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament.
I have been most persuaded by those that point to what Scripture says about itself rather than how our view of Scripture should be influenced in light of extra-biblical sources. Would anyone like to discuss or disagree with this admittedly simplified generalization of each viewpoint?
However, let me emphasize that the primary purpose of this post is not to inform you of the issue and request a sharing of opinions, but to ask for prayer for God’s will in the upcoming dialogue and its resulting decisions. May God grant wisdom and discernment to all involved – the Board, faculty, alumni, prospective students like myself, unaffiliated individuals concerned with the issues presented in Dr. Enns’ book, etc.
If you would like to become more knowledgeable of the subject, here are some helpful links:
Christianity Today’s article on the matter.
A Westminster student’s article and audio concerning the April 1st Special Chapel session regarding suspension.
A very thorough and involved discussion occuring at Green Baggins.
A critique by D.A. Carson, “Three Books on the Bible: A Critical Review,” including a portion addressing Inspiration and Incarnation.
A petition against the overall direction of Westminster and the suspension of Dr. Peter Enns.
A satisfyingly complete collection of links regarding information on the current controversy compiled by Brandon Withrow, a graduate of Westminster.
