Some updates
Monday, March 05, 2012
Haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd give a quick update as to what I've been up to. First, some big new: I've signed a book deal for my book on the cross! I've been really busy polishing up the manuscript (which is why I haven't been posting here), but now that its done I should be able to get back to blogging more. I don't have a release date on the book yet (there's still a lot more to do) but I guess we can think of it like a pregnancy in that my "baby" is on the way. It has been a hard road (the book as you know deals with a very controversial topic) and I'm really thrilled that its on its way. My hope is that the book can really minister to folks who have been struggling with negative images of who God that have kept them from knowing grace, and to reclaim what justice and the gospel are about so we can all focus on living out what it means to walk in grace and enemy love. These are really important themes, and so I think it was definitely worth the struggle it took to let this book see the light of day.
In other news: in addition to Sojourners and Huffington Post, I've also recently started blogging over at Red Letter Christians which I'm excited about! I am definitely Red Letter Christian, although I'm not too cray about the name... in fact, I think I'll make that the subject of my next blog post.
I'm finishing up an article for EQ where I continue an ongoing dialog about the Church Fathers and their understanding of the cross. My first article was a critique of the book Pierced for Our Transgressions whick claimed that they taught penal substitution. Then Garry Williams (a big advocate of PSA) wrote an article critiquing my article, and now I'm finishing up a response to his article where I defend and elaborate my position that their understanding of the cross is based on restorative rather than retributive justice (i.e. it's about a loving God making things better rather than about and angry God inflicting punishment). So I guess that means it's a reply to a reply to a reply, like those emails subjects that say Re: Re: Fw: Re:
Hey, is anyone going to Wild Goose? I'll be there and I'm getting pretty stoked about it. Looks like a great lineup. If you're going too, it would be fun to connect there.
Anyway, just wanted to poke my head up from under the rubble I'm slowly digging myself out of and give a little wave. Things have been crazy busy, but as you can see, it is a good kind of busy.
In other news: in addition to Sojourners and Huffington Post, I've also recently started blogging over at Red Letter Christians which I'm excited about! I am definitely Red Letter Christian, although I'm not too cray about the name... in fact, I think I'll make that the subject of my next blog post.
I'm finishing up an article for EQ where I continue an ongoing dialog about the Church Fathers and their understanding of the cross. My first article was a critique of the book Pierced for Our Transgressions whick claimed that they taught penal substitution. Then Garry Williams (a big advocate of PSA) wrote an article critiquing my article, and now I'm finishing up a response to his article where I defend and elaborate my position that their understanding of the cross is based on restorative rather than retributive justice (i.e. it's about a loving God making things better rather than about and angry God inflicting punishment). So I guess that means it's a reply to a reply to a reply, like those emails subjects that say Re: Re: Fw: Re:
Hey, is anyone going to Wild Goose? I'll be there and I'm getting pretty stoked about it. Looks like a great lineup. If you're going too, it would be fun to connect there.
Anyway, just wanted to poke my head up from under the rubble I'm slowly digging myself out of and give a little wave. Things have been crazy busy, but as you can see, it is a good kind of busy.
10 Comments:
I don't know where you get the time to write sooooo much, i'm slightly jealous!
Well done on the book, Derek, looking forward to seeing it's release.
Derek, GREAT news about the book! & nice to see you back on the blog, however briefly - I've kept watching this space - it's always worth the wait! & I can't wait to get my hands on your book when it's done!!
Probably going to Wild Goose again this year, would be a blast to see you there.
Awesome!
Derek, Keep us updated on your response to Garry Williams. I'm convinced that Calvinist use of the Fathers is deeply wrong and that penal substitution, as taught by conservative evangelicals, just has no place and is completely foreign in the early church fathers and scripture.
"O Death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
Is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion
Unto ages of ages.
Amen." - St John Chrysostom
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" - Hebrews 2:14-15
I am interested in reading your response, if you have in fact submitted your article. I have begun studying the issue at hand to help catch up to the main focus of the discussion by reading St. Vladimir's Press release of 'On the Incarnation'. To supplement my reading I have paid close attention to your critique. I have thus far found it to be extremely useful. I hope your article has been published or will be published soon. I look forward to reading it.
Khristos Anesti.
Congratulations, Derek!
Congrats on getting that book deal! Can you tell us who will be publishing it? I look forward to reading it and hope you have a very positive response.
Derek thanks for your thoughts that you have given on well....everything. I am a pastor of some 20 years with some of the same thoughts and am looking for those who I can process and dialogue with about what I would like to call or others have called a New Reformation...or a re-consideration of God's Goodness. I would like to push this towards email rather than the blog. Is that possible.
Brent,
Sure. If you look at the sidebar to the right you will see a link with my email.
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