Customer Reviews

The Mystery of Christ . . . and Why We Don't Get It

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If such concepts as "Both heaven and hell are populated with forgiven sinners", "God isn't in the sin-prevention business....He is in the sin-forgiving business", and "the argument between Cheap Grace and Costly Grace is ridiculous, because Grace is FREE", are intriguing to you, then get and read this book. It is a thought provoking delight!

With his characteristic wit, humour, digression and depth, Robert Ferrar Capon has delivered another book centred about grace. In his always inimitable way, Capon is able to present an old theme in a new way, using various writing styles and techniques to get his point across.

Having read "From noon to Three" and this book, clearly Capon wants to emphasize - no, pound into your head - the idea that God has done it all, that grace is free, that God simply does not see our sin anymore. He must have quoted the verse "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" and it is the entire world who is in Christ, and we are in Him. This is part of the mystery.

As a pastoral tool Capon's perspective is refreshing and greatly needed in our works-loving, bookkeeping Church. Capon writes like a prophet, warning us that we fall too easily into the danger of thinking we have to "do" something. I also enjoyed his discussion of ways that we can view the resurrection. This was an education and well thought-out section of the book.

Of course, I have a "but"....I was continually uncomfortable with Capon's approach which, while he claims is theological, often plays fast and loose with the Bible. He was unconvincing in his analysis of the sheep and the goats parable. Moreover, I did not appreciate his several jabs at Bonheoffer, nor his implication that the "medieval" theology of Luther and Calvin, qua medieval theology, was unacceptable. Capon claims that, instead, he is more "biblical" - a term too often bandied about these days.

He speaks near the end of ways that our lives need to be, not acceptable to, but "congruent" to the mystery of Christ. And this would seem to me to mean that congruent should be biblical, but no....instead it is okay to practice astrology as if it gave us even the "weather" of things. Meanwhile the bible specifically indicates that it is not a godly practice. How is it then congruent that his wife is a practicing professional astrologer? No, I do not "condemn" her for it, only to question how he can make this claim.

Given that Luther has expounded so well on the grace of God, I think Capon takes it too far somehow and goes somewhere that is not warranted. Now, if he read this, he would think that I was falling back into "medieval" or "works" theology. No, I just am not convinced that what he argues is fully biblical. It's not that I want grace to cost anything, just that I think he is not convincing.

I read this for the first time shortly after becoming a Christian. Earlier, I thought Christianity meant constantly avoiding sin. Capon points out that we will always sin, but the Good News is that God loves us anyway. He emphasizes love and hope, and does not waste energy on the little questions. And he exhorts us also to remember that we do not need to waste our energy on the little questions, but to instead remember Jesus' commandment to love God, ourselves, and each other. This book increased my new-found joy in knowing God's love.

I am not a Christian, and certainly not well read on the subject. But after living around strongly Christian influences my whole life, I feel safe in saying this book is the healthiest, most responsible expression of Christianity I've ever encountered. Anyone overwhelmed by guilt or anxiety over their salvation or what God wants from them will find this a tremendous lift. And anyone who puts themselves on a sanctimonious pedestal would do well to give it a go too!

This book was one of the most thought provoking books I've ever read on Christian theology. I read it my freshman year in college, shortly after I had renounced religion. Capon attacked all the elements of religion that I attacked but he answered all of the arguments. I may not have rediscovered religion from Capon's book, but it helped me to rediscover God.

Among countless commentaries on the Bible and Christianity in general, this one deserves this highest praise. Like a skilled surgeon, Capon gently moves his reader through the maze of misrepresentations many of us heard and read in church or on t.v. toward the most convincing array of facts concerning not only the many sayings attributed to Jesus, but also to how we can confidently and safely live into the Way that He promised to us.
I found so many useful interpretations and questions in this little volume that I will continue to study and admire it for decades to come.
I urge anyone serious about Bible study and living Christianity to read this, one of Capon's best in my opinion.

I am a fan of Robert Capon. This book is an addition to an already impressive list of books on issues of faith, forgiveness, grace and relationship. Using his typically reader friendly style, Capon puts to rest those pesky arguments for adding works to the "finished" work of God in Christ. He deftly illustrates that the Bible is clearly a book about GRACE, redemption and forgiveness.

Religion is about control, rules, judgement, and exclusion . . . genuine faith is about inclusion, forgiveness, love and above all . . . Grace.

James Carpenter's review on the back of this book states: "This is an exuberant, triumphant theology... A rigorous Paulinist, Capon is at least half right--a very good score for a theologian!" I tend to agree--Father Capon is at least half right. He focuses on grace as a free gift to such an extent that he loses the transformative aspect of Christianity almost completely. As long as you have faith/trust/believe then you're home free! As God has already done away with the consequences of all sin, all guilt, in Jesus' death and resurrection, no one is condemned any longer. Therefore, the only people who will be in hell are those who reject the free gift of grace. They will not be there for their sins. I agree, but see sin as the blocking off of God's grace. By sin I don't mean the mistakes and stumbles we make along the way, but pure out-right nastiness.

Capon is so adamant about the fact that no works can earn grace and that no sin can separate you from God's love and forgiveness, that he leaves one thinking you can go on doing whatever you like as long as you accept God's grace. Once again, I agree, but apparently have a different understanding of what accepting God's grace means. To accept God's grace is to let his love and grace flow through you. It's transformative. You can't be nasty when God's love is flowing through you, and when you are, you're cutting off the flow. When God's love is flowing through you, you *can* do whatever you like--it's just that you want like to do anything nasty. ;)

Sin blocks one's acceptance of grace--its still there, but you can't see it. God never stops loving or forgiving, but if you blind your vision by clouding it over with sin, you can't see the grace all around you. Its not that "works" are necessary to accept God's grace through faith, but that they naturally flow from you as a result of that acceptance. "Faith without works is dead" as St. James wrote. In Capon's theology, you apparently don't have to follow Jesus to be a follower of Jesus. You don't have to "take up your cross"--just believe that Jesus did.

Near the very end of the book Capon does add that "I myself take sin very seriously. As far as I'm concerned, it's what messes up my life, so anything I can do to resist it will make me, and those around me, a lot happier than we presently are." That, to me, is the key to the Christian life. Capon, however, simply sees it as an option of the Christian life, not it's point. While I don't think God will judge us for our sins, I do think the clouding of our vision caused by our sin is what puts us in hell--now and later.

I very much agree with Capon's rejection of "transactionalism", however, and think he has some wonderful things to say about the "Mystery" of Christ that is everywhere present. I agree with him that "what God revealed in Jesus was his Incarnation in the whole world." He has a panentheistic understanding of God's Incarnation, seeing the world in God and God in the world, and Jesus as a sacrament and revelation of that Incarnation.

I give the book four stars, however, not because I agree with all of Capon's theology, but because his theology makes you think and brings up some very good points. Plus I found the book to be an enjoyable read and like Capon's sense of humour. :) So it's recommended, with reservations.

I have cherished this author ever since I discovered The Third Peacock as a young adult. He presents the faith in such a sensible way - no sentimentality - no self-righteousness. I have also enjoyed his book ...Wealth... & why it doesn't make us happy.

Robert Capon paints outside the lines! He doesn't attempt to appease the Evangelical religious mind by re-stating what everyone else is saying or have said. If you are really interested and not afraid to think deeply and desire genuine intimacy with the LIVING LORD JESUS, concider the mystery of the gospel; it is really great news.

If you are still enjoying the religion of Christianity, you are probably not ready for Mr. Capon's works. If you are tired of trying to measure up and "serving" and pastor worshipping, and just know the Gospel is much more than what you are living in; then, I encourgae you to read this one---IT IS FOR YOU! You are free, you know?