How might we be saved?

Last night was the first of the 2006 Annual Moore Theological College Lectures, with Gerald Bray presenting his first paper in a series of five theological reflections on the Lord's Prayer. This, I think, is a very helpful undertaking; to dive into the theology of what GB has called the 'first systematic statement of theology that we have.' Within what was a pastorally helpful hour, GB did make a claim that because the Father is in Heaven, he is in a position to save us. It's his transcendence which enables him to come into our mire and lift us out of trouble.

This got me thinking. Didn't one of the Cappadocians (I forget which one) say that you cannot save that which is not assumed? This opens up the whole question of how our salvation works... a big, big issue (and perhaps very presumptuous to attempt to tackle it here). But I think at the very least we've got to hold to both the necessity of God's transcendence and his immanence for our salvation; his transcendence because we can't save ourselves, his immanence because our selves need saving. Another reason why the uniqueness of Christ as the God-man is a wonderful thing to hold on to. I'm sure GB would agree entirely. In fact, I'm sure that he was only reflecting on one aspect of the atonement (an aspect particularly relevant to the first clause of the Lord's Prayer), but the balance is something worth reflecting on.

Now on to more prep for Sunday's sermon: Mark 8.22-9.1