The Wooing of the Human Heart: God's Greatest Accomplishment

Jerry Eicher of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives explores what he calls God’s greatest work: the wooing of the human heart. He critiques Calvinist depictions of divine power, arguing that God’s true greatness is revealed through love, truth-speaking, and the cross’s paradoxical drawing power. Topics include the necessity of speaking truth in love, biblical imagery from Isaiah (the vineyard) and Romans 11, the election of Israel, the Gentiles’ grafting in, and how God’s long-term plan will ultimately win back Israel. Eicher contrasts coercive images of God with scriptural themes of relationship and covenant and references contemporary voices and theological tendencies to illustrate the stakes. Listeners can expect a theological meditation grounded in Scripture, strong critiques of certain Calvinist formulations, and an affirmation of God’s patient, truth-driven love toward Israel and the world.