Saturday, February 16, 2008

Pete Seeger's soteriology

"My Father's mansion has many rooms,
with room for all his children,
as long as we do share his love,
and see that all are free.
and see that all are free to grow,
and see that all are free to know,
and free to open or to close
the door of their own room."


Pete Seeger, "My Father's Mansion Has Many Rooms", Pete Seeger: Waist Deep in the Big Muddy


Yikes! Who could be saved under such a scheme?! I just heard this song recently. At first it sounds like some kind of everybody-goes-to-heaven scheme. Then there are limits, Then there are big limits, big burdens. Burdens so big I would imagine that any living of "an examined life" would send shudders down one's spine if this were the actual criteria for salvation. Where is the room to fail? Where is room for grace? Where is the final forgiveness of those who didn't even try all those good deeds?

My point is that liberal theologies dreamed up to replace traditional Christian theology often aren't any nicer or compassionate.

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