Our author confuses himself pretty badly on pages 30 to 32. Risk is can be defined as the possibility of suffering harm or loss. It can mean a factor, thing, or course involving uncertain danger. God knows all the things that can possibly happen but He also knows for certain what will happen. Of course, God knowing for certain what will happen means that He doesn’t risk anything in the sense that we in our limited knowledge do. In an effort to explain the way God is present with us in the moment, Eldredge finds himself confused and argues against God’s omniscience. God is without a doubt sovereign in the full, complete, and perfect sense of the Word. Scripture is clear on this point. You may have surprised your earthly father from time to time (mine always seemed a few steps ahead of me) but you will never surprise your Heavenly Father. Eldredge sees that he has a problem and states “I am not advocating open theism”. Open theism teaches that God doesn't know for sure what will happen. However, if Eldredge isn't arguing for open theism then he would need to disagree with most of what he just taught in the bulk of these pages. You will find some links at the end of this post that discuss the sovereignty of God in more detail (Thanks to Lewis for pulling those up). Ideas have consequences and words have meanings. God’s sovereignty and man’s free will haven’t really “stumped” the church as Eldredge states. You simply can’t overstate the sovereignty of God (as Eldredge accuses theologians of doing). God’s knowledge has no limit. He is perfect in wisdom knowing the end from the beginning. His knowledge is awesome, inspires fear, and brings me to my knees. He doesn’t just know what is going to happen to me tomorrow, He knows all that could happen to me tomorrow and all the consequences of all the things that could happen. He knows perfectly and completely all my decisions that will be made through the exercise of my free will. He doesn’t know my actions because he predicts them from current events or because they are forced or deterministic. He knows my future actions because He is God, glorious in knowledge and transcendent.
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/sovereignty/sovereignty_index.html
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/sovereignty.html
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0077.htm
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Discussion Notes for Wild at Heart – Chapter 2
Page 25 – Motivation is critical in Jesus way of thinking. His Holiness was both in motivation and action. His works were good. Zeal for God and not zeal for self.
Joshua 5:13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua got a funny answer for “are you for me or against me” – just NO take off your shoes you’re standing on Holy ground. Are you asking Jesus if He is for you or against you. Try worshiping your Master and Lord.
Page 30 to 32 – Eldredge seriously confuses himself and demonstrates a lack of scholarship.
Page 34 – God’s romantic heart saved you. Song of Solomon has theological meaning but it also does show God’s view of romance and love. This is not new theological ground.
Page 36 – God’s love springs from His perfection and He doesn’t need us the way we need others. Out of His fullness He created us with a need for Him.
Page 37 – The scripture speaks of David’s desire, not Gods. God will rejoice in our obedience.
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