No Shadow of Turning: Divine Immutability and the Economy of Redemption

God's unchanging nature is essential for the salvation of his people, as it ensures the protection and promotion of redemption. This book argues that divine immutability does not hinder soteriology but is a necessary component of God's economy of redemption. It will arrive at this thesis through exegetical, historical, and philosophical theology, concluding that a classical articulation of God's changelessness does the most justice to the economy of redemption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2022
Publisher: Christian Focus Publications Ltd

While divine immutability has been widely affirmed in Christian theological antiquity, it has faced challenges in modernity. Often perceived as a relic of overly philosophical theology, it is sometimes characterized as rendering God static and incapable of meaningful relationships with his creation. This book seeks to challenge this notion and argue that divine immutability is essential to God's economy of redemption. By anchoring the economy of redemption in divine immutability, we can appreciate the benefits of grounding all of God's economic work in his immanent life.

This book will be a work of dogmatic theology, drawing from exegetical, historical, and philosophical theology to arrive at this thesis. These fields will engage with different perspectives and denials of divine immutability, ultimately concluding that a classical articulation of God's changelessness best aligns with the economy of redemption.

Divine immutability is a fundamental aspect of God's nature, as it signifies his unchanging essence and unwavering commitment to his purposes. It is a cornerstone of Christian theology and has been affirmed by many theologians throughout history. However, in recent times, there has been a growing trend to question the relevance of divine immutability in the context of salvation. Some argue that it limits God's ability to interact with his creation and that it makes it difficult for humans to understand and relate to God.

In response to these concerns, this book aims to demonstrate that divine immutability is not a hindrance to salvation but rather a necessary component of it. By anchoring the economy of redemption in divine immutability, we can see the benefit of rooting all of God's economic work in the immanent life of God. This approach allows us to understand God's actions and purposes in a more coherent and meaningful way, as it ensures that his actions are always consistent with his nature and his ultimate goal of redemption.

One of the key arguments that this book makes is that divine immutability promotes the redemption of God's creatures. By maintaining his unchanging nature, God is able to uphold his promises and maintain his covenant with his people. This is particularly important in the context of salvation, as it ensures that God's promises are reliable and that he will always fulfill his promises to those who trust in him.

Furthermore, divine immutability also promotes the sanctification of God's creatures. By remaining constant and unchanging, God is able to uphold his moral standards and maintain his holiness. This is essential for the salvation of humans, as it ensures that God is able to forgive and redeem us from our sins and that he is able to transform us into his likeness.

In addition to these benefits, divine immutability also promotes the unity and coherence of the Christian faith. By maintaining his unchanging nature, God is able to uphold the teachings of the Bible and ensure that they are consistent with one another. This is particularly important in a world that is constantly changing and evolving, as it provides a stable foundation for the Christian faith and helps to prevent the erosion of its teachings.

However, it is important to note that divine immutability does not mean that God is inactive or unresponsive to his creation. Rather, it means that God is always present and active in his creation, but he does so in a consistent and unchanging manner. This is a difficult concept to grasp, but it is essential for understanding the nature of God and his relationship with his creation.

In conclusion, this book aims to demonstrate that divine immutability is not a hindrance to salvation but rather a necessary and vital component of God's economy of redemption. By anchoring the economy of redemption in divine immutability, we can appreciate the benefits of rooting all of God's economic work in the immanent life of God. This approach allows us to understand God's actions and purposes in a more coherent and meaningful way, promotes the redemption of God's creatures, promotes the sanctification of God's creatures, and promotes the unity and coherence of the Christian faith. While divine immutability may be a difficult concept to grasp, it is essential for understanding the nature of God and his relationship with his creation.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781527109131