I am continuing to read Wells and I am thoroughly enjoying it! Although I am sure that Dr. Wells and I would disagree about the specifics, I do agree generally with the Eschatological view of an already/not yet tension.
It is of particular interest to me in regard to the culmination of our salvation. We are saved (justified), we are being saved (the process of ongoing sanctification), and we will be saved (our future glorification.) This tension of the already/not yet exists because we know what we will be to some degree and we long for the day when we will be made like Him in utter completeness(1 John 3:1-3.) this longing exists as we agree with the Apostle that we want to be freed from this body of sin (Romans 7:24-25.) So we see this “kingdom” tension residing within us as well.
I want to live with this ever in mind. I want to have on the forefront of my thinking that all I struggle with today will one day be left behind. I want to bear in mind that one day I will no longer reside in this flesh and in this there is true hope.
The point Dr. Wells made in the section I read this morning was that there is only a real sense of lasting hope in Biblical Christianity. I believe this is because we as believers currently live with the reality of transformation and are assured of final transformation in the future, when the tension of the already/not yet is turned into the eternal.
