Ep. 150 Jon DePue: Part 2 of a discussion on "Beyond Justification" co-authored with Douglas Campbell (or... The False Gospel of Justification Theory)
May 30, 2024
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Guest Jon DePue delves into Paul's gospel message of being in Christ, contrasting justification theory with participation theory. They explore accountability before God, righteousness, divine retribution, imputation of Christ's righteousness, theological perspectives in Paul's letters, unconditional election, and Paul's rhetorical debate. The discussion highlights the transformative power of the good news and the influence of the legal system on Christianity.
Participation in Christ through the Holy Spirit reflects a God of unconditional love restoring creation.
Justification theory depicts God as a distant judge, while participation theory emphasizes a loving, relational God.
Contrasting views on God: unconditional love in Christ versus contractual terms, challenging justification theory as a false gospel.
Deep dives
Participation in Christ Through Faith
Being in Christ, regrafted into Christ's life, death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification, represents participation in Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This participatory and transformational gospel reflects a God of unconditional love working to restore creation through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Two Operating Systems: Justification vs. Participation Theory
The podcast discusses two contrasting theological models: justification theory and participation theory. Justification theory portrays a distant God of retributive justice based on following instructions, while participation theory presents a relational God of love through familial metaphors, emphasizing intimate communion with humanity.
Contrasting Views of God: Retributive Justice vs. Loving Communion
The divergent views of God between justification theory and participation theory are highlighted. Justification theory depicts a judge-like God of retributive justice, while participation theory reveals a loving God fostering familial relationships and intimate communion with humanity.
Understanding God Through Unconditional Love vs. Contractual Terms
The podcast explores the contrasting views of understanding God through unconditional love as revealed in Jesus Christ versus understanding God through contractual terms. The discussion highlights the difference between viewing God as characterized by limitless, unconditional love versus characterizing God in terms of retributive justice and contractual obligations. The absurdity of a contractual relationship with God is highlighted, emphasizing the fundamental importance of perceiving God as a loving parent with qualitatively superior love.
Reassessing Justification Theory and God's Unconditional Love
The podcast challenges the concept of justification theory, suggesting that it presents a false gospel by emphasizing retributive justice over unconditional love. The discussion delves into theological gymnastics and theological inconsistencies, pointing out how a focus on contractual relationships with God can obscure the true essence of God's love. By redefining love to conform to a contractual framework, the podcast argues that justification theory distorts the gospel message of God's unwavering love as seen through the experience of Paul and the teachings of Jesus.
