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Introduction

This episode of Rethinking God with Tacos features an in-depth and transformative conversation with Dr. C. Baxter Kruger, a theologian, author, and speaker known for his work in Trinitarian theology. Kruger’s passion lies in unveiling the good news of our union with Christ, challenging theological frameworks that promote separation from God, and calling believers to embrace the reality of divine love.

Throughout this podcast, Kruger addresses foundational theological misunderstandings, particularly in evangelical circles, and proposes a more ancient, relational understanding of God, deeply rooted in the early Church Fathers. His insights challenge the common Western theological narratives that emphasize penal substitutionary atonement and a transactional view of salvation. Instead, he emphasizes a Christocentric vision of union, wherein Jesus did not come to appease an angry God but to rescue humanity from its own delusions.

Listeners can expect this episode to explore the following key questions:

What is the core message of the gospel? – Kruger unpacks the gospel as an invitation into an already existing union with God, rather than a transaction of faith.

Did Jesus come to change God’s mind about us or our minds about God? – He challenges the penal substitution model and offers a view of atonement rooted in love and union.

How does separation theology distort our perception of God? – He discusses how Western Christianity has misunderstood divine justice, wrath, and holiness.

What is the significance of the Incarnation in restoring our true identity? – He argues that Jesus entered human delusion to rescue and restore, not to condemn.

How does understanding our inclusion in Christ change our daily lives? – Kruger explores the practical implications of living from a place of divine love rather than fear.

What role does historical theology play in reclaiming the gospel? – He connects modern rediscoveries of union theology with the teachings of early Church Fathers such as Athanasius, Irenaeus, and Gregory of Nyssa.

With his characteristic warmth, humor, and depth, Kruger masterfully brings theological insights down to a relational and practical level. His message is one of hope, restoration, and an unwavering assurance that God is in us, with us, and for us.

Themes Summary

What is the Core Message of the Gospel?

Kruger defines the gospel not as a contract requiring human effort but as the revelation of an already existing union with God. He emphasizes that Jesus did not come to make salvation possible but to reveal the salvation that has always been true in Him.

“Jesus didn’t come to pay the Father off—He came to step inside our delusion so we could see reality.” He challenges the transactional nature of much of evangelical theology, which views salvation as an individual decision rather than an ontological reality grounded in Christ’s person.

Kruger describes this message as one of profound belonging, affirming that “God is not waiting for us to meet conditions; He has already included us in His love.” This shifts the focus from human striving to divine embrace, inviting believers to discover their salvation rather than achieve it.

Did Jesus Come to Change God’s Mind About Us or Our Minds About God?

A central theme in Kruger’s theology is dismantling the idea that Jesus needed to satisfy an angry God. Instead, he argues that Jesus came to reveal the Father’s eternal love.

“You actually believe that Jesus had to pay the Father off? That thought has never crossed an Orthodox Christian’s mind.” Here, Kruger highlights the theological distortions prevalent in Western Christianity, contrasting them with the ancient church’s view of a loving, restorative God.

Expanding on this, he asserts: “The Father wasn’t against us. We were lost in a delusion, and Jesus entered that delusion to wake us up.” The shift, he explains, is from a punitive framework to a healing one—where the cross is not about divine wrath but divine rescue.

How Does Separation Theology Distort Our Perception of God?

Kruger critiques the modern evangelical emphasis on separation from God, arguing that this misconception fuels fear-based religion.

“We’ve been trapped in a framework where we think we must perform to get to God when, in reality, we’re already in Him.” This flawed theology leads to an image of a distant, conditional God rather than the intimate Father revealed in Jesus.

He describes how this separation mindset affects daily life: “When you believe in a God who keeps His distance, you inevitably project that distance into your relationships—with yourself, with others, and even with creation.” By contrast, understanding union allows for a radical shift in how we experience life and love.

What is the Significance of the Incarnation in Restoring Our True Identity?

Kruger sees the Incarnation as the ultimate act of divine solidarity with humanity. Jesus didn’t just come to humanity—He became one of us to restore us from within.

“Jesus didn’t just step into human history; He stepped into our blindness, our confusion, our lostness.” This theme is crucial to understanding his message: God is not distant but intimately involved in the human experience.

He further explains: “The Incarnation means that Jesus did not come as an outsider to fix us—He came as the very life within us, drawing us back to the truth of who we are.” This has profound implications for how we understand salvation, not as a transaction but as a revelation of our true identity.

How Does Understanding Our Inclusion in Christ Change Our Daily Lives?

The realization that we are already in Christ transforms how we live, pray, and relate to God.

“The crisis is not that we are separated from God—the crisis is that we don’t know we belong.” Kruger argues that most struggles in the Christian life stem from the illusion of separation rather than a lack of divine presence.

He shares how this realization impacts relationships: “When I hold my granddaughter, I don’t ask her to perform before I love her. Why do we think God operates any differently?” This understanding shifts faith from fear to trust, from striving to resting.

What Role Does Historical Theology Play in Reclaiming the Gospel?

Throughout the conversation, Kruger emphasizes the importance of returning to early Church Fathers who taught union rather than separation.

“We think evangelicalism is the center of church history, but it’s a tiny, recent movement. The real story goes back to the early church.” He highlights figures like Athanasius, Irenaeus, and Gregory of Nyssa, whose writings articulate a gospel of inclusion and divine participation.

Kruger challenges modern theology’s departure from these roots: “Somewhere along the way, we traded a relational God for a contractual one. It’s time to reclaim the ancient gospel of belonging.” His call is for a theological renewal rooted not in innovation but in restoration.

Conclusion

Baxter Kruger’s conversation is a powerful challenge to conventional Christian thinking, inviting listeners to rethink their assumptions about God, salvation, and themselves. His emphasis on union over separation offers a compelling, life-giving alternative to transactional Christianity. This episode serves as both a theological deep dive and an accessible invitation to rediscover the relational heart of the gospel.

For those ready to let go of a fear-based faith and step into the fullness of divine love, Kruger’s message is an undeniable game-changer.