I finally finished this excellent book! I have been working through it for the better part of a month and a half! It is quite a book.
Greg Boyd makes a very compelling case for a "warfare worldview". The first half of the book argues from the Old Testament seeking to demonstrate a warfare worldview is the primary worldview represented in the Old Testament.
The second half of the book examines the New Testament and its foundations in a warfare worldview.
It is a powerful new way of thinking in my opinion. Obiously to hold to this worldview is to be a minority in current evangelical and protestant circles. But after reading this book I must say that I am comfortable and intellectually encouraged to move this way.
One of the most convincing features is the warfare worldview's handling of the problem of evil.
The traditional view is that God is in control of everything. Sovereignty is understood as omnicontrol. Therefore the question "why does an all-powerful, all good God allow bad things to happen" is legitimate. Boyd argues that the Bible does not conceive of God's sovereignty in the sense of omnicontrol. Because of this, God's will can and reddily is thwarted by spirits and humans who have freewill. Thus, when these beings chose to disobey God, they enter into warfare against their Creature.
If you're at all interested in a very stimulating and thoroughly biblical book (meaning, Boyd is constantly engaged in biblical exegesis throughout) dealing with theodicy and spiritual warfare, pick up this book. But don't plan to try to read it in a week like I did! This is a book that you will need to live with for awhile.
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I'm so used to the warfare worldview that I did a double take on this post. I find it strange that it even needs to be stated.
Certainly much of the (non-bible) spirtual reading writes using this persepective. It shows in the use of language. It shows even more in the metaphors used.
Glad you found out about it.
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