I read Heaven Misplaced by Douglas Wilson a few years ago, but I don't think my mind was ready for it yet. The proposal he is making in this book was so completely foreign to my mind that I wasn't ready to really relinquish my preconceived notions as I went through it. That wasn't the case this time.
He begins his book by asking the reader to "suspend disbelief" until the end. He asks this because he is attempting, not necessarily to build a simple rational argument, but to paint an optimistic picture of Gospel Success. His rational arguments are there, to be sure, right along with his exposition of the scriptures and his broader and more all-encompassing handling of the full testimony of the Word of God. (i.e. his use, not only of the New Testament's portrayal of the Gospel message, but the Old Testament's depiction of it as well.) But the rational and exegetical work are only supports for that grander and more optimistic portrayal of Gospel Success.
This time through the book, I actually came to a point where my thinking shifted. Instead of suspending disbelief, I crossed over into tentative belief. I actually took a picture of my Kindle when I came to this point.
The Presbyterian portion left to the side for a moment, I have definitely crossed into a potential belief in the Postmil vision of the world. This book has played a key role, not necessarily in the foundational work, but in the siding and shingles work of this new belief. Most importantly, it answered an old question I've had for years... "Why were the Gospel and New Testament writers so optimistic about the success of Christ's work on the cross? Why did it seem like they thought it would work?" Well... what if it was because they did believe that it would work... and... what if it is working?
If you are willing to suspend your own disbelief, consider reading this book.
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| Heaven Misplaced: Christ's Kingdom on Earth |
