JC Lamont's "Prophecy of the Heir" on the problem of judgment

Over the summer I read JC Lamont's Prophecy of the Heir, and not included in my review and author interview is mention that my absolute favorite thing about this book is how Lamont unapologetically, yet with the prowess of an apologist, answers the problem of the harshness of judgment. 

In the review, I do mention that Michael’s loyalty to the Prince is challenged mainly by his doubts surrounding why Elohim would bring judgment upon humans (the mud race), or at least not save them from the consequences of their choices.  The relationship between Michael and the Prince is forged in the crucible of this conflict.  Most of my favorite POTH quotes surround how Lamont handles this delicate issue.  So, below, I want to provide some background to those relevant favorites.

Groothuis' "Christian Apologetics" ch.12: The Design Argument

Resuming our discussion of Groothuis' Christian Apologetics:

"[Dembski's] method of detecting intelligent causes is already accepted in several areas of science, namely, archaeology, forensic science, intellectual property law, insurance claims investigation, cryptography, random number generation and the search for extra terrestrial intelligence (SETI).  Intelligent design (ID) simply employs these methods of detecting or falsifying design and applies them to the natural sciences as well." p. 244

Dembski's design filter: contingency, complexity, specificity:

1.  contingency: not explicable on the basis of natural law (automatic processes-though they can act upon it)

2.  complexity: less probably that it came about by chance

3. specificity:  the first two being the bull's-eye...are specified before, not after, the arrow is shot.

Does "judgment" contradict the Gospel? The Point.

This past week I've been doing a study of the Gospels, highlighting every time Jesus talks about the reason he became flesh.

One thing that has become obvious is that the Good News is synonymous with the kingdom of God/heaven and everything he says about it.

James wasn't joking when he said faith without works is dead. In John, Jesus said the work required of us is that we believe the Gospel.

This is definitely no Stepford Gospel. But the number one error Jesus confronts is hypocrisy (especially in the form of religiosity)--but note that it is the hypocrisy of being harder on others than you are on yourself. The thing he commands the greatest is mercy (love)--the character of God.

Mercy doesn't mean calling sin 'good'--it means loving despite sin. Those who lack mercy the greatest are the ones who receive the harshest judgment--so mercy requires judgment of those who are not merciful, and proper judgment requires mercy. Ironic?

Those who don't "get it" will be baptized with fire, and he refers to his crucifixion as a sort of baptism--so judgment, though harsh, is actually for our benefit, and so it is an act of mercy. I can vouch for that (for what it's worth), because it is how he brought me back to himself.

There is a harshness of mercy-fueled judgment that communicates love and will "raise them up on the last day". Then there is a hypocritical judgment not fueled by mercy at all--it will be thrown into the fire (out of mercy). That's Good News. ♥

A version of this is cross-posted at CAA.