William Willimon describes his book as "an extended sermon on how to use salvation in a manner that is peculiarly Christian" (ix). According to Willimon, we not only need to rethink the question, "Who will be saved?" but also "What is salvation?" The reason: "we live in a conflicted supermarket of salvations that are based on very different ideas of what or who saves" (x).
All without distinction are loved by God - a love that is wider, broader, deeper, and higher than we can possibly fathom. Our temptation will always be to sell it short, to whittle it down, to shrink it down to a size we can manage and control. On the contrary, we must humbly recognize that we cannot possibly comprehend the greatness and goodness of God's love. We dare not worry about being too compassionate or too hopeful. This is not possible in light of Jesus' teaching and saving actions. Jesus reveals to us the kind of God whose compassion and mercy break down - and break through - every human category and limitation. For my extended summary and reflections, click HERE.
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