This Sunday we'll be discussing forgiveness and how true gospel-believing followers of Christ ought to be persons characterized by forgiveness. Since we have been forgiven much, we ought to forgive much. Ironically, this week Charles Colson has written an interesting article at his Breakpoint website regarding how forgiveness has come center stage in our culture in light of the recent wrong call in a game that robbed one major league baseball player of a perfect game.
Colson concludes:
The Christian message summed up in the words “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” provided a revolutionary new basis for human relationships. And it has the power to transform lives—both of victims and offenders—as I’ve witnessed over and over in 30 years of prison ministry. It has the power to heal nations, as the world witnessed in the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda.
What happened after that baseball game was more beautiful than Galarraga’s pitching. Especially for a postmodern culture that rejects the faith that gave meaning to the words “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you.”
What does it mean to be a Christian? What is a Christian? Sadly, most Christians in America today don't know the answer to such questions. Some use moral terms, Christians love their neighbor, and other terms to describe the Christian life. Not long ago, I read a book by Charles Colson called, "The Faith: Given Once, For All What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters." Colson answers these questions with biblical truth, theological pricision, and cultural and practical application.
Christianity is not a boring faith. Christian theology should not be a dry uptaking. Colson walks the reader through the various doctrines of the Christian faith and shows them how critical they are, how unshakale they must be, and why it all matters. What I loved most about Colson's book was that he took Christian theology and applied it. He shows why it is important for us to believe in God, that the Bible is inspired, that God created, why Jesus death was substitutionary, etc.
Colson is an excellent writer who has experienced much in his life who is deep in his theology and cultural analysis. I strongly encouage everyone to pick it up and read it. It is well worth the time and let us hold firmly to the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
I have given a fuller review of the book. To read it, click here. I consider this book to be among the best of the books I read all of 2008.
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