Grace and Relationships

Is it possible the evangelical idea of substitutionary atonement has been truncated by Western Christianity? Now I am not necessarily arguing that Eastern Orthodoxy has it right, or that any particular denomination has it right, rather, that urging the view that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins which therefore entitles us to entrance in to Heaven at some point in the future radically undervalues and limits the meaning of that Cross. One of the more powerful verses in Scripture may be found in the little book Micah, at 6:8. The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." This is from the CEV. It translates a powerful Hebrew word “hesed” as mercy. Many start with the term “lovingkindness” which is very difficult to put into contemporary English. But unlocking this term, its use throughout the Old Testament, and thereby unpacking Micah’s utterance may shed some light on the forthcoming event of the Cross

Hopefully I, and we, will be working out way through this in the days to come.

God’s Blessings to you.