(NOTE: This is a Summary from the video transcript. Click on the link above to view Video.)

Introduction

In this episode, we’re excited to have Dr. Baxter Kruger as our guest speaker, a profound voice in the realm of relational theology. Baxter is a theologian, author, and a passionate advocate of the Christian Gospel centered on union with God. During this podcast, Baxter shares his insights on various complex and deeply enriching topics like the divine love, the incarnation, and what it means to experience the presence of Jesus within us. He discusses his personal journey through theological exploration, the significance of relational connections, and how his understanding of union with Christ has reshaped his worldview. Throughout this conversation, we will explore the following questions: What does true union with Christ look like in practical terms? How does divine love play into everyday relationships? Why is it important to break away from the traditional contractual view of God? And what does it mean for Jesus to “step into our delusion”?

These themes will unfold across the following key areas, offering listeners a chance to reflect on and reimagine their own relationship with God: the Incarnation, Relational Theology, Deconstructing Separation, Divine Love as Reality, Personal Transformation, and Hope for the Future. Each of these sections will feature enlightening discussions that challenge conventional beliefs while inviting deeper intimacy with God.

Categories Summary

1. The Incarnation

Baxter begins by emphasizing the significance of the Incarnation, stating, “I became one of you to rescue all of you.” He describes the Incarnation as God’s way of coming into human experience to express solidarity with us, and to rescue us from our own misconceptions about Him. For Baxter, this is foundational, as it shows God fully investing in humanity, not from a distance, but intimately, from within our shared experience. He explains, “The value that God places on human beings is immeasurable; it’s the value of God becoming human.” This divine descent changes everything, challenging us to see Jesus not just as a savior who stays afar but as one who fully immerses Himself in the human condition. “The Incarnation tells us that there is no part of human experience that God is unwilling to enter.”

2. Relational Theology

Baxter’s passion for relational theology shines through as he speaks of God as a being deeply intertwined with our daily lives. He notes, “God is not a distant deity waiting to be appeased; He is in us, He is pleased with us, and He is co-creating life alongside us.” This approach strips away the transactional nature often attributed to faith, presenting instead a picture of God as the ultimate participant in our lives—one who celebrates, mourns, and journeys with us in every situation. Baxter insists that the essence of the Gospel is about union, not separation—a union already established by God’s love for all humanity. “Every moment of our lives, we live in the fellowship of the Father, Son, and Spirit, whether we are aware of it or not.”

3. Deconstructing Separation

One of the most striking elements of the conversation is Baxter’s critique of the doctrine of separation. He argues that traditional Western Christianity often emphasizes a divide between God and humanity, which leads to an understanding of Jesus needing to “pay off the Father.” Baxter flatly rejects this, saying, “He didn’t come to pay the Father off; He came to step into our delusion, to dismantle the lies we’ve believed about God.” For him, Jesus’ life and death reveal the unconditional closeness of God, constantly pursuing and embracing humanity rather than standing apart from it. This perspective reframes the entire concept of atonement, positioning it as an act of unity rather than separation. “The notion that Jesus came to appease an angry God is the greatest lie we’ve believed—it undermines the very heart of the Gospel, which is union.”

4. Divine Love as Reality

Another recurring theme is the idea that divine love is the underlying reality of the universe. Baxter asserts, “God is good by nature; therefore, He is the lover of the human race.” This is a love that exists beyond performance, beyond merit, and is unchangeable by human actions. He uses the metaphor of his granddaughter Caroline to illustrate this point, saying, “She doesn’t have the power to determine what I feel about her; I loved her before she was even here.” He encourages listeners to understand that this is precisely how God loves each of us—unconditionally, consistently, and eternally. “Divine love is not something we earn; it is the air we breathe, the foundation of all reality.”

5. Personal Transformation

Baxter shares intimate stories of his personal encounters with God that transformed his outlook on theology and ministry. One poignant moment came when he asked Jesus how He sees him, and Jesus responded, “You are one of them—you are one of those voices I have raised up to declare my love.” Baxter explains that this realization reshaped his ministry, giving him the courage to continue speaking of the love and inclusion offered by God to all people. “I realized that my entire journey has been orchestrated by Jesus, guiding me towards this truth of union and love.” This kind of transformation is available to everyone—it starts with listening to the truth Jesus speaks over us and allowing it to displace the lies that have long clouded our vision.

6. Hope for the Future

Concluding the podcast, Baxter speaks to the hope he holds for the future of Christianity. He believes we are on the precipice of a significant awakening that will move the Church away from legalism and back towards a community of love and grace. He emphasizes, “This is not a reformation; it’s a recapturing of the original vision.” Baxter urges listeners to embrace this momentum and join in the movement of rediscovering what it means to live in genuine union with God, free from the constraints of transactional faith. He foresees gatherings and communal awakenings that focus not on dogma but the shared experience of divine love. “The future is bright,” he says, “because people are beginning to remember who they truly are—beloved children of God, already in union with Him.”

These themes and insights from Baxter offer a profound challenge to how we understand God, ourselves, and the community of faith. It will stir hearts, provoke thought, and invite us into deeper relational intimacy with the divine.