John Mark Comer has expressed admiration for Greg Boyd and his theology, particularly Boyd’s perspectives on God’s relational nature, the problem of evil, and spiritual warfare. Boyd is a leading advocate of Open Theism, and Comer’s citations of Boyd in his sermons and books suggest that he aligns with or draws heavily from Boyd’s ideas in certain areas.
Here are some key points to consider:
Evidence of Comer’s Admiration for Boyd
Citations and Positive References:
- Comer cites Boyd approvingly in both his sermons and writings. For example, in his Why? sermon, Comer highlights Boyd’s understanding of God as being in a relational battle with evil forces.
- Comer draws on Boyd’s interpretation of the cross, particularly the Christus Victor model, which portrays Jesus’ death as a victory over the powers of sin, death, and the devil. This perspective fits Boyd’s broader framework of God engaging in a cosmic struggle with evil.
Theological Overlap:
- Comer, like Boyd, emphasizes God’s relational and dynamic nature. Both portray God as interacting with creation in ways that involve openness, partnership, and the capacity to respond to human actions.
- Comer’s view of multiple wills (human, satanic, chaotic) operating against God’s will aligns with Boyd’s warfare worldview, which frames evil as a result of a cosmic struggle between God and Satan.
Boyd’s Influence on Comer’s Theodicy:
- Boyd’s approach to the problem of evil, which emphasizes human and spiritual free will as the cause of suffering, appears to shape Comer’s explanations. Comer’s rejection of the idea that God meticulously controls all events echoes Boyd’s theology.
Does Comer Fully Embrace Boyd’s Theology?
While Comer respects Boyd, it’s unclear whether he fully adopts all aspects of Boyd’s theology, especially Boyd’s formal commitment to Open Theism, which includes:
- A denial of God’s exhaustive foreknowledge.
- A strong emphasis on God’s vulnerability and openness to influence.
Comer may not explicitly affirm Open Theism in its entirety, but his views on God’s relational nature and openness to human influence are deeply aligned with Boyd’s teachings.
Why Comer’s Connection to Boyd Matters
Greg Boyd’s theology is controversial because it departs from classical Christian understandings of God’s sovereignty, omniscience, and immutability. Comer’s positive references to Boyd suggest that he admires Boyd’s approach to reimagining God’s nature and dealing with issues like the problem of evil, but this also places Comer in a theological position that diverges from historic Christian orthodoxy.
In summary, John Mark Comer clearly admires Greg Boyd and draws inspiration from his theology, particularly Boyd’s relational and dynamic view of God, as well as his approach to the problem of evil. While Comer may not formally identify as an Open Theist like Boyd, their theological perspectives share significant common ground.