More from David Wells

Here is another quote from The Courage to Be Protestant. Wells is making a case for the importance of the objective reality of a transcendent God and His holiness, as well as the subjective reality of an immanent God and His love. When we lose the objective reality of a transcendent God, we lose the power of the Gospel. And what power it is!

What we see at the cross is the white-hot revelation of the character of God, of his love providing the price that his holiness requires. The cross was his means of redeeming lost sinners and reconciling them to himself, but it was also a profound disclosure of his mercy. It is, in Paul's words, an "inexpressible gift" that leads us to wonder and worship, to praise and adore the God who has given himself to us in this way. This is what has led people to give themselves away, too, too give of themselves in service to others, to go to the mission field. It is what has impelled Christian believers to give of their substance, and to reach out in acts of mercy to those who need it, and in acts of courage against the injustices in society.

There is a deep connection between the way we see the Gospel and the way we live our lives. This is why doctrine is important, why we study and preach theology. Not to argue obscure academic points, but to help us see the Gospel more clearly so that we can live lives of increasing "wonder and worship".