Another good rebuke of the Hays’ unfortunate book, The Widening of God’s Mercy. Richard Hays has since died, sadly, since this was written. For those with ears to hear, listen and understand.

[T]his is [not] another book review of that Hays and Hays book, The Widening of God’s Mercy. If you would like that book picked apart, Robert Gagnon does that very well. If you would like a nicer but still well done review, there is Michael Legaspi’s review over at First Things.

I want instead to assert that Hays and Hays have it backwards — Scripture teaches an eventual narrowing of God’s mercy through time. To be fair, Hays and Hays are not the only ones who miss that. Many faithful Christians do so as well, and especially my post-millennial brethren, some of whom I highly respect but will now proceed to annoy.

There is no question that God’s mercy is broad indeed. Otherwise I would be in big trouble. There are any number of beautiful depictions of that in Scripture, particularly in the Apocalypse of St. John.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9, 10)

Read it all.