His central theme is encapsulated in the title: the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth, as preached by Williams is one that never leaves us comfortable or settled. It always challenges, always subverts, always complicates. It is never 'easy' in the sense of cheap.The cross in Williams' thought stands for the judgement or condemnation of all our trying to secure for ourselves impregnable fortresses of certainty and security. The love of God in Christ is so total that it is almost unbearable to contemplate it. "We coat even the cross in sugar, and protect ourselves from the bitterness of the Gospel" (p. 35).
While he is generally affirming in his account, Higton finds this unrelenting darkness in Williams' theology itself almost too much: and I have to say it is a feeling I have had as well. In amongst the endless challenge, the persistent upsetting, what light is there, what joy? Higton writes:
It sometimes seems that Williams is willing to risk muting the note of joy, of thankfulness, of release and rescue, appropriate to the news that God has stepped over all the barriers which seperate us from him... We must ask, I think, whether the focus falls too consistently on the 'No' of the cross rather than on its encompassing 'Yes'. (p. 35)
3 comments:
Fair point, but I think Williams is partly a reaction to most modern theology that doesn't have anywhere near enough darkness in the present experience of dying to self, taking up our crosses and following Jesus.
well, perhaps to spiritual fadism in churches. ISTM that theologians rather enjoy their doubts.
That's probably also true.
Though I must admit, almost all of the "dying to self" stuff or "sharing in Christ's death" I came across in my conservative evangelical background was seen in intellectual or practical terms (which are important but not exhaustive descriptions), whereas Williams is much more on the mystical side usually.
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