SBG Part 1

Stricken By God? Book Review - Part 1

Foreword and Preface

The Foreword to Stricken by God?, written by Willard Swartley, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at AMBS, states that the collection of essays in this book provide “alternative perceptions of atonement” and form a “kaleidoscope of alternative models” (to the understanding of God’s requirement of His Son to die on the cross for humanity’s sin). Swartley goes on to call this collection a combined “wealth of these perspectives into one coherent model”. This somehow reminds him of Karl Barth’s Systematic Theology.

Swartley dates the foreward as Ascension Day, 2007. Whether or not this date is supposed to give his endorsement some weight in the spiritual realm, we are not told.

I noted that there is no warning or caution given regarding these "alternative perceptions" of the atonement. Rather, the foreword says that “the whole contributes a rich variety” and that this book fills a "distinctive niche".

Therefore, I understand this foreward to be a hearty endorsement of the rest of the book.

By the way, Karl Barth, who is mentioned in the foreword, was a theologian who denied the inerrancy of scripture (neo-orthodoxy). (He was a rather strange sort whose mistress is documented to have cohabitated with Barth and his wife until his death in ‘68.)

The Preface of Stricken by God? is written by another Mennonite, and the book’s co-editor, Michael Hardin of Preaching Peace. He writes how he was contacted by Brad Jersak who was collecting essays that would benefit people seeking an alternative to the “sacrificial paradigm of the Christian doctrine of the atonement.” (Note to self: “Why?”) Hardin says that there is a movement of clergy and laity around the need to “construct a new paradigm of the atonement in the 21st century; the sacrificial model is flawed.” Hence this ecumenical collection of essays that Hardin calls a "fun book" to edit and "a remarkable one to read". Hardin mentions that as he reads these essays over and over he finds himself smiling at God’s generosity. He and a group of like minded individuals plan to travel the US and Canada in the next few years to bring this new paradigm to churches everywhere.

Hardin dates this Preface as “Eastertide, 2007”. There is no mention of whether or not this date is supposed to give his endorsement extra weight or prophetic significance.

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The Mennonites have spoken. Remember these glowing endorsements as you read this book review in the days to come.

*By the way, I was amused to read the (one and only) review of this book at amazon.com, entitled "not worth your time or money" by someone named John. This makes me seriously wonder if I should even bother to pursue this book review. Nevertheless, due to the continued popularity and interest in this book as shown by my stat counter, I shall trudge on into the swamp as promised. ~sigh~

Next: Chapter One