Endorsements
Cosmos Reborn may be the most accessible theology book Ive seen in my lifetime. This is the theology book the average person will read and love. If youve thought theology is hard to understand or even boring, this book is about to rock your world. John Crowder has distilled the thoughts of numerous great historic and contemporary theologians and blended them with what the Spirit has taught him through the Scriptures in a way that has the potential to transform you.
How thrilling it is to see the foundational tenets of faith held by the early church find increasing momentum among many who have been trapped in doctrines rooted more in religious traditions than Sacred Scriptures! I predict that Cosmos Reborn will fuel that forward momentum of grace in a way that honors our Triune God, builds up His Church and brings unbelievers into a conscious embrace of the One who has held all of us in His heart even before time began.
- Dr. Steve McVey, Ph.D.
Author of Grace Walk & Founder of Grace Walk Ministries
www.gracewalk.org
If you suspect that we could have possibly underestimated Jesus Christ, then Cosmos Reborn is singing your song. With the insight of the mystics, the way with words of the poets, and the thinking of a real theologian, John Crowder ushers us into the New Testaments vision of Jesus and the One in whom all things, and all peoples have been gathered together forevereven as it was eternally planned by the blessed Trinity. This vision is as breathtaking as it is straight from the early Church, as full of the Holy Spirits joy as it is challenging to our natural minds. Crowder writes with an irrepressible determination that we all know the staggering reality accomplished in Jesus himself, and experience his liberation.
- Dr. C. Baxter Kruger, Ph.D.
Author of Across All Worlds and The Shack Revisited
www.perichoresis.org
There are not many people I know who give voice to this message with such joy, freedom, boldness and accuracy as John Crowder. All our pet doctrines, whether atonement or election, are simple reflections of who we believe God is. In Cosmos Reborn John introduces us to a colossal Jesus infinitely more intriguing and beautiful than what weve been told. A very compelling read indeed!
- Andre Rabe
Author of Imagine & Founder of Ginomai Course
www.hearhim.net
Cosmos Reborn explores the absolute beauty of God. Crowder elatedly dances around the throne of glory, grace and goodness. There seated within the love-life of Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit is the transfiguration of humanity and creation. Wonders will flow in the slipstream of this bookpredestined to be a classic.
- Dr. Eric Wilding, Ph.D.
Grace Communion Seminary & Founder of Eric Wilding Ministries
www.ericwilding.org
COSMOS REBORN
BY JOHN CROWDER
Sons of Thunder Ministries & Publications
Portland, Oregon
Cosmos Reborn by John Crowder
Ebook versions by Ten10 Ebooks
www.ten10ebooks.com
Printed version published by:
Sons of Thunder Ministries & Publications
P.O. Box 40
Marylhurst, OR 97036
www.thenewmystics.com
Phone: 1-877-343-3245
Email:
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
Copyright 2013 by John Crowder
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013909520
International Standard Book Number: 978-1-928200-00-0
Printed in the United States of America
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For God was in Christ, reconciling the cosmos to Himself, not counting mens sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
- II Corinthians 5:19
Acknowledgements
My long-time admiration of C.S. Lewis and a scandalous enjoyment of Fr. Robert Capon first led me down the road of Trinitarian theology. Accelerated by conversations with some of my best friends in the world Benjamin Dunn, David Vaughan and Joanne Gravell I found myself being catapulted toward the unavoidable all of the Gospel.
There have been invaluable resources along the way: Dr. C. Baxter Kruger, who graciously contributed a theological audit of this book; Dr. Steve McVey; Bible translator Francois du Toit and Andre Rabe. Ultimately, Thomas F. Torrance, his family of theologians and their predecessor, Karl Barth, are due credit for so many of these ideas. Their Trinitarian thought has flourished through many modern theologians. Dr. J. Michael Feazell and the folks at Grace Communion International as well as Dr. Elmer Colyer, Dr. Paul Molnar, Dr. Andrew Purves, Dr. Trevor Hart, Rev. Robert Walker, Dr. Robin Parry, Dr. Daniel Thimell and Dr. George Hunsinger are a few who have blessed me and indirectly contributed to this work. Thanks for explaining Barth for me boys I have no letters behind my name.
A seminary professor friend Dr. Eric Wilding noted a remarkable thing. His background in Trinitarian theology eventually pointed him to mystical Christianity whereas my own background in Christian mysticism eventually landed me into Trinitarian theology. I would not be where I am without drinking deep of Dame Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton and many other wild-eyed mystic wanderers. Thanks Eric for the recommended reading.
I should also give a word of credit to my accusers. A protestor once came to my meeting with a large placard he had diligently painted the night before. He angrily shouted, You preach a cosmic Jesus! I found this a profoundly accurate observation it inspired the naming of this book. Percy, beloved thorn in my flesh, you remind me that His grace is sufficient.
Finally, thanks to all our friends and partners who make our ministry possible and encourage us beyond measure. Above all, I thank my family for your amazing love my wife Lily and four children: Maile, Jonas, Nova and Ezekiel. Omnia vincit amor et nos cedamus amori.
Contents
AUTHOR NOTE
APOLOGIA
This book could cheer up your perspective on the Big Guy. Hes in a good mood. God actually thinks He accomplished something in His atoning work. I invite you to catch a glimpse of the massive, exhilarating, cosmic scope of the Gospel.
The Gospel is the divine laughter at the problem of the ages that was solved before it ever began. The Gospel is a joke. Luther said it is nothing less than laughter and joy. Said Robert Capon, when asked Gods whole point in the Gospel Its fun.
Let me warn you upfront: yes, this is a theology book. I am taking a risk. My largely Charismatic audience balks at theology as if its the slutty stepsister of religion. They like tongue talking and miracles, but theologize too much and theyll run you out of town. Well they are not entirely wrong. Theology has long been pimped out to cold intellectualism, divorced from experience and love. Rest assured, although this book is a bit academic at times, I am not an academic. I wont be whipping out words like ontology just to show off. I try my best to convey deep concepts in plain talk for regular folks.
I am more a benevolent troublemaker than a legitimate theologian. On the opposite spectrum, there are the self-fashioned blogosphere academics whose heads are shoved so far up their hubris they will be able to review this book by its cover. I dont expect to be taken seriously by them. This book is not for them. Its for you. Devotional theology for the average reader who is willing to Google a five-syllable word every now and then but only if the revelatory pay-off is worth it.