Bill: I’ll be redundant and say that everyone on here should read Capon. The Divine Suspect. The Parable book(s). The Mystery of Christ. If you are brave, Between Noon and Three (but be warned, that one will nuke you.) There’s plenty of Capon in the Amazon used book section. Spend a buck.

I think anyone who cares about theology really owes it to themselves to take the guy on for a few days, because he’s done something pretty amazing: write fresh, interesting, challenging, knock-you-up-sida-da-head theology. You will disagree with him, you will agree with him, you will read your Bible, you will throw your Bible. It will be fun. I promise.

The quote comes from this talk and here’s a quote from the interview following.

Capon: Well, in the far country. You have to distinguish when he was in the far country and then when he came home. When he was in the far country, he made up his confession this way. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” Correct. “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Correct. But then the third part: “Make me a hired hand in your house.” Incorrect. Wrong. It’s not a repentance. It’s a plan for life. His father could no more make him a hired hand. He would either be a dead son or a son raised from the dead, a lost son or a found son, but a son, not a hired hand. And the brilliance of Jesus as a storyteller is that the father kisses him, the boy, when he gets home. Before he makes his confession, the father kisses him, embraces him, accepts him. That’s the whole image of grace right there. Then the boy finally, in his father’s arms, makes the confession. He says, “Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.” Period.

The conclusion, Bill, comes from Capon’s reading of the parables of grace. Theologically, it’s rejecting transactionalism, hence my latest IM piece. Interestingly, I am getting mail from people with a Baptist view of the sacraments saying they don’t get my definition of a sacrament. It indicates to me that the “memorial” view has two sides, and with some people it may be seen more as a transaction than many of people might admit. Or at least, the sacrments as participations with/fellowship with Christ aren’t understood.

Capon’s view is that all of reality is sacramental, and that once we understand Jesus- once we realize that all things are reconciled in Jesus- then everything in scripture and elsewhere is interpreted through the grace of God in Jesus.

Jesus didn’t come to set up a religious system where you could get forgiveness. He came to proclaim forgiveness. Like the messenger in my essay, he didn’t come to say “Here’s how you can make Tiberias Lord.” He came to say “Tiberias is Lord. It’s the truth. Deal with it.” Hence, you are forgiven, says Jesus. Neither do I condemn you. Deal with it.

BTW- I am furiously proofing and editing that piece. Denise is away today, so any feedback from you proofreading types (via email) is welcome.