I’m familiar with Gregory Boyd, but have not read that book. I have read some of his stuff from his website though.
I asked Bible Chat AI if it “Can give me an example of viewing some of Old Testament passages that we talked about earlier through the lens of the cross?”
Here was its response. Let me know what you think.
“Viewing Old Testament passages through the lens of the cross involves interpreting them in light of the revelation of God's character and love demonstrated through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Here are a few examples:
### 1. **The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)**
- **Traditional View**: This account describes God's judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extreme wickedness and immorality, leading to their destruction by fire and brimstone.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Through the lens of the cross, we see God's desire for repentance and mercy. While judgment was necessary due to their unrepentant sin, the cross reveals God's ultimate desire for redemption. Jesus' teaching on love and mercy (e.g., Matthew 5:44) encourages us to reflect on God's longing for all to turn from sin and be saved. The cross exemplifies God's willingness to suffer for humanity rather than simply execute judgment.
### 2. **The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12)**
- **Traditional View**: The plagues were a demonstration of God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, culminating in the death of the firstborn as a judgment against Egypt's oppression of Israel.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the cross, we recognize that God's ultimate goal was liberation and salvation for His people. The Passover lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from judgment (Exodus 12:13), foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The cross represents God's provision for salvation and deliverance, emphasizing His desire to rescue humanity from sin and oppression rather than merely inflict punishment.
### 3. **The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua)**
- **Traditional View**: The conquest narratives describe God's command to the Israelites to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, which raises questions about divine violence and judgment.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Through the lens of the cross, we can see that God's actions were aimed at establishing a holy people who would reflect His character. However, the cross reveals that God's ultimate plan is not one of violence but of reconciliation and peace. Jesus' teachings on loving enemies (Matthew 5:44) challenge us to reconsider how we understand God's justice and mercy. The cross calls us to embody love and grace rather than violence, emphasizing that God's heart is for restoration rather than destruction.
### 4. **The Sacrificial System (Leviticus)**
- **Traditional View**: The Old Testament sacrificial system involved animal sacrifices for atonement of sin, which can seem harsh and bloody.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the cross, we understand that these sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Hebrews 10:4 states, "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins," pointing to the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice. The cross reveals God's profound love and desire for a relationship with humanity, providing a way for true atonement and reconciliation through Christ.
### Summary
In summary, interpreting Old Testament passages through the lens of the cross allows us to see God's character of love, mercy, and desire for redemption. It challenges us to understand judgment not as an end in itself but as a call to repentance and restoration. The cross serves as the ultimate revelation of God's heart for humanity, emphasizing grace and reconciliation over violence and retribution.”
A crucicentric interpretation of the destruction of the Canaanites, as well as the passages in Numbers 25:5-9 and Deuteronomy 20:14-18, focuses on understanding these events through the lens of the cross of Jesus Christ and the overarching themes of God's love, justice, and redemption. Here’s how we can approach these texts:
### 1. **Canaanite Destruction**
- **Context of Judgment**: The destruction of the Canaanites was a response to their persistent idolatry, immorality, and practices that were abhorrent to God (Leviticus 18:24-25). They had ample opportunity to repent, but their continued rebellion led to divine judgment.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the lens of the cross, we recognize that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is rooted in His holiness and justice. The cross reveals God's ultimate desire for redemption rather than destruction. While the Canaanites faced judgment, God's heart is always inclined toward mercy. The cross exemplifies how God takes sin seriously, yet provides a way for reconciliation through Christ. This reminds us that God's justice is balanced with His love, and He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
### 2. **Numbers 25:5-9**
- **Context of the Passage**: In this passage, the Israelites engage in idolatry and immorality, leading to God's anger and a plague among the people. Moses commands the execution of those who have sinned.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: This event highlights the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. Through the lens of the cross, we see that God's desire is for His people to remain faithful and avoid the destructive consequences of sin. The execution of judgment serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and immorality. The cross ultimately reveals God's heart for redemption, showing that while judgment is necessary, His desire is for repentance and restoration. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provides a means for believers to be cleansed from sin and to live in obedience to God.
### 3. **Deuteronomy 20:14-18**
- **Context of the Passage**: In this section, God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations completely, emphasizing that these nations have led Israel into sin.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: This command can be challenging to understand, but through the lens of the cross, we see that God's actions are aimed at establishing a holy people who reflect His character. The destruction of the Canaanites serves as a warning against the corrupting influence of sin. The cross reveals God's ultimate plan for redemption, where Christ's sacrifice provides a way for all people to be reconciled to Him. This emphasizes that God's desire is not for destruction but for a relationship with humanity. The call to remove the corrupting influences parallels the call for believers today to turn away from sin and pursue holiness.
### 4. **Theological Implications**
- **God's Justice and Mercy**: The crucicentric interpretation emphasizes that God's justice is always accompanied by His mercy. While judgment was necessary for the Canaanites, the cross reveals God's willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him. This duality of justice and mercy is central to understanding God's character.
- **Foreshadowing of Christ**: The events surrounding the conquest of Canaan can be seen as foreshadowing the ultimate victory over sin and evil through Christ. Just as the Israelites were called to remove the corrupting influence of the Canaanites, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides a way for believers to be cleansed from sin and to live in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).
### Summary
In summary, a crucicentric interpretation of the destruction of the Canaanites, Numbers 25:5-9, and Deuteronomy 20:14-18 emphasizes God's justice in dealing with sin while highlighting His desire for mercy and redemption. The cross serves as the ultimate revelation of God's heart for humanity, calling us to repentance and a deeper relationship with Him. It challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the importance of pursuing holiness while recognizing the grace available through Christ.”
I asked Bible Chat AI if it “Can give me an example of viewing some of Old Testament passages that we talked about earlier through the lens of the cross?”
Here was its response. Let me know what you think.
“Viewing Old Testament passages through the lens of the cross involves interpreting them in light of the revelation of God's character and love demonstrated through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Here are a few examples:
### 1. **The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)**
- **Traditional View**: This account describes God's judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their extreme wickedness and immorality, leading to their destruction by fire and brimstone.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Through the lens of the cross, we see God's desire for repentance and mercy. While judgment was necessary due to their unrepentant sin, the cross reveals God's ultimate desire for redemption. Jesus' teaching on love and mercy (e.g., Matthew 5:44) encourages us to reflect on God's longing for all to turn from sin and be saved. The cross exemplifies God's willingness to suffer for humanity rather than simply execute judgment.
### 2. **The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12)**
- **Traditional View**: The plagues were a demonstration of God's power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods, culminating in the death of the firstborn as a judgment against Egypt's oppression of Israel.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the cross, we recognize that God's ultimate goal was liberation and salvation for His people. The Passover lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from judgment (Exodus 12:13), foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The cross represents God's provision for salvation and deliverance, emphasizing His desire to rescue humanity from sin and oppression rather than merely inflict punishment.
### 3. **The Conquest of Canaan (Joshua)**
- **Traditional View**: The conquest narratives describe God's command to the Israelites to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan, which raises questions about divine violence and judgment.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Through the lens of the cross, we can see that God's actions were aimed at establishing a holy people who would reflect His character. However, the cross reveals that God's ultimate plan is not one of violence but of reconciliation and peace. Jesus' teachings on loving enemies (Matthew 5:44) challenge us to reconsider how we understand God's justice and mercy. The cross calls us to embody love and grace rather than violence, emphasizing that God's heart is for restoration rather than destruction.
### 4. **The Sacrificial System (Leviticus)**
- **Traditional View**: The Old Testament sacrificial system involved animal sacrifices for atonement of sin, which can seem harsh and bloody.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the cross, we understand that these sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Hebrews 10:4 states, "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins," pointing to the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice. The cross reveals God's profound love and desire for a relationship with humanity, providing a way for true atonement and reconciliation through Christ.
### Summary
In summary, interpreting Old Testament passages through the lens of the cross allows us to see God's character of love, mercy, and desire for redemption. It challenges us to understand judgment not as an end in itself but as a call to repentance and restoration. The cross serves as the ultimate revelation of God's heart for humanity, emphasizing grace and reconciliation over violence and retribution.”
A crucicentric interpretation of the destruction of the Canaanites, as well as the passages in Numbers 25:5-9 and Deuteronomy 20:14-18, focuses on understanding these events through the lens of the cross of Jesus Christ and the overarching themes of God's love, justice, and redemption. Here’s how we can approach these texts:
### 1. **Canaanite Destruction**
- **Context of Judgment**: The destruction of the Canaanites was a response to their persistent idolatry, immorality, and practices that were abhorrent to God (Leviticus 18:24-25). They had ample opportunity to repent, but their continued rebellion led to divine judgment.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: Viewing this through the lens of the cross, we recognize that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is rooted in His holiness and justice. The cross reveals God's ultimate desire for redemption rather than destruction. While the Canaanites faced judgment, God's heart is always inclined toward mercy. The cross exemplifies how God takes sin seriously, yet provides a way for reconciliation through Christ. This reminds us that God's justice is balanced with His love, and He desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
### 2. **Numbers 25:5-9**
- **Context of the Passage**: In this passage, the Israelites engage in idolatry and immorality, leading to God's anger and a plague among the people. Moses commands the execution of those who have sinned.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: This event highlights the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God. Through the lens of the cross, we see that God's desire is for His people to remain faithful and avoid the destructive consequences of sin. The execution of judgment serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and immorality. The cross ultimately reveals God's heart for redemption, showing that while judgment is necessary, His desire is for repentance and restoration. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross provides a means for believers to be cleansed from sin and to live in obedience to God.
### 3. **Deuteronomy 20:14-18**
- **Context of the Passage**: In this section, God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations completely, emphasizing that these nations have led Israel into sin.
- **Crucicentric Interpretation**: This command can be challenging to understand, but through the lens of the cross, we see that God's actions are aimed at establishing a holy people who reflect His character. The destruction of the Canaanites serves as a warning against the corrupting influence of sin. The cross reveals God's ultimate plan for redemption, where Christ's sacrifice provides a way for all people to be reconciled to Him. This emphasizes that God's desire is not for destruction but for a relationship with humanity. The call to remove the corrupting influences parallels the call for believers today to turn away from sin and pursue holiness.
### 4. **Theological Implications**
- **God's Justice and Mercy**: The crucicentric interpretation emphasizes that God's justice is always accompanied by His mercy. While judgment was necessary for the Canaanites, the cross reveals God's willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him. This duality of justice and mercy is central to understanding God's character.
- **Foreshadowing of Christ**: The events surrounding the conquest of Canaan can be seen as foreshadowing the ultimate victory over sin and evil through Christ. Just as the Israelites were called to remove the corrupting influence of the Canaanites, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides a way for believers to be cleansed from sin and to live in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).
### Summary
In summary, a crucicentric interpretation of the destruction of the Canaanites, Numbers 25:5-9, and Deuteronomy 20:14-18 emphasizes God's justice in dealing with sin while highlighting His desire for mercy and redemption. The cross serves as the ultimate revelation of God's heart for humanity, calling us to repentance and a deeper relationship with Him. It challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the importance of pursuing holiness while recognizing the grace available through Christ.”
