Out Soon
DOWNLOAD EPILOGUE & APPENDICES
book abstract
Why does God lift Jacob into preeminence in the same manner as Jesus does with Peter in the New Covenant? Why are these the only two in Scripture to receive complete name changes from God? And why the common theme of βrocksβ? Coincidence? No β this is actually a game-changer.
Gorsuchβs new book tackles Jesusβ most difficult sayings while explaining the true depth of the stories of Jacob and the Prodigal Son β not only revealing greater coherence in the Scriptures but explaining how the human spirit grows in interactive, perichoretic individuation from one degree to another. What emerges is a relational ontology that explodes our conventional understanding of morality and metaphysics, revealing that all genuine faith, as expressed in the passion of Jacob and Peter, emerges from a holistic pre-cognitive, pre-temporal co-conditioning interaction that allows Jesus to say, βyour faith [with me] has made you well.β
From One Degree To Another unlocks the mysteries of human freedom and divine providence, the problem of evil, and the ways the Trinity moves redemptively both within and beyond Christianity.
to From One Degree to Another
abstract
Is the Church a static institution from the past, or a constantly transforming community that increasingly expresses the βFullness of Timeβ? The epilogue and appendices challenge a static understanding of faith and belief, proposing instead a living, developmental theology in which the Spirit continually transforms humanity from one degree of glory to another.
By moving beyond moralizing constraints toward a relational theosis, it explores how the Church might better facilitate the redemptive process:
Preeminence of Spirit: Redemption begins with the Spirit, communicating the entire presence and activity of Christ in the world and guiding us into a living truth. Closing oneself to this transforming fullness is the only unforgivable sin.
Spirit as Relationship: Drawing on Kierkegaard and Trinitarian dynamics, personhood is redefined as spirit β a holistic and dynamic presence that envelopes the body and soul. To be Spirit is to experience passion, the venturing of our entire self to be affected by the genuine relations of the Other (love).
The βBetweenβ of Communication: Truth is not merely distributed information but an intersubjective event that must re-incarnate with every unique encounter. The Church must acknowledge and utilize the truth and beauty in its surrounding culture, its films and arts, to speak to the primordial cry of the heart.
A Christian Pluralistic Hypothesis: We discover how Christβs redemptive activity is active beyond the Church, silently calling everyone from within their respective relationships.
Co-Conditioning Freedom: Explore a tripartite ontology where human freedom and divine providence emerge together in a co-conditioning eternal moment. In this fullness of time, our longings and choices can freely affect the creating hand of Christ through the Spirit.
The Epilogue & Appendices show how these theological considerations begins to address the age-old problem of evil and the relationship between divine providence and human freedom. It also offers the Church a path to become a safe but transformative harbor for those longing for abundant life.