The question of what God’s goal is in his son’s death and resurrection stands at the forefront of Clark H. Pinnock’s chapter on Spirit and Union. Pinnock eloquently reveals the clear aim of God’s work in the world through his Spirit. He goes so far as to state, “Union with God is not peripheral to salvation but the goal” (Pinnock151). In other words, God is actively at work in the world to reestablish humanities’ “oneness” with God that has been destroyed by sin. In addition, Pinnock speaks to Christianity’s current acceptance of the great theologian Martin Luther’s guilt and focused solely on a legal arrangement accomplished by Christ. Pinnock goes to great lengths to urge the church to not stop there, but rather see salvation as a step towards
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Therefore, someone could be a Christian, yet not invite the Spirit’s power into their lives. However, what is clear is people will never experience full union with God apart from the transforming work of the Spirit. Finally, the practical implication of union with God through the Spirit is love for others. Pinnock says, “Spirit is the power by which sin’s hold is broken and we are enabled to love God and neighbor more pointing people to the union God so desires of all. Therefore, Spirit empowerment should always lead to greater acts of service and love for both the saved; and especially the lost. The reason being, this is what the Spirit is actively doing in the world—drawing people to union with God. All in all, Pinnock’s insights on Spirit and Union were refreshing and thought provoking. The Spirit draws all of creation towards union with God, the Spirit is the transforming power within Christians to bring about greater union, and the effect of this union is love for others in practical service. Pinnock’s boldness is to be appreciated, especially in taking on Luther’s entire atonement theology in order to paint a larger perspective of what God is doing in the world. Perhaps this will help the church as it shares the Gospel with people who do not feel guilt. It seems the process has been to make people feel guilty; and thereby, foster a desire for grace. Yet what if the story that was told was of an unresistible love that flows from the heart of God into a broken
Therefore, someone could be a Christian, yet not invite the Spirit’s power into their lives. However, what is clear is people will never experience full union with God apart from the transforming work of the Spirit. Finally, the practical implication of union with God through the Spirit is love for others. Pinnock says, “Spirit is the power by which sin’s hold is broken and we are enabled to love God and neighbor more pointing people to the union God so desires of all. Therefore, Spirit empowerment should always lead to greater acts of service and love for both the saved; and especially the lost. The reason being, this is what the Spirit is actively doing in the world—drawing people to union with God. All in all, Pinnock’s insights on Spirit and Union were refreshing and thought provoking. The Spirit draws all of creation towards union with God, the Spirit is the transforming power within Christians to bring about greater union, and the effect of this union is love for others in practical service. Pinnock’s boldness is to be appreciated, especially in taking on Luther’s entire atonement theology in order to paint a larger perspective of what God is doing in the world. Perhaps this will help the church as it shares the Gospel with people who do not feel guilt. It seems the process has been to make people feel guilty; and thereby, foster a desire for grace. Yet what if the story that was told was of an unresistible love that flows from the heart of God into a broken