A single letter connecting three people with a love like none other. Lance Moncrieffe has turned these 25 verses of Paul’s slender letter to Philemon into a theological Grand Concourse on divine Love and Redemption. The relational dynamic between God, sinners, and Christ is projected onto the three main characters of the letter — Philemon the Master, Onesimus the runaway slave, and Paul the gospel preacher — who are all connected in a three-point relationship — a love triangle. His treatment of the subject allows us to see how the love triangle is projected into our own lives. It provides us assurance that even today, our connection and relationship with Jesus Christ can reunite us back to God our Father.
Moncrieffe painstakingly unravels the nuanced layers of sociology, politics and theology woven throughout this brief letter between two friends (Paul and Philemon). Drawing out significant elements about how Divine Redemption works, he unpacks this story about a runaway, thieving slave, and reveals that it is a trenchant object lesson about restoration. In so doing, he includes all of us; revealing that we may all be, at one time or another, fugitives, or offended victims, or merchants of mercy.
The first chapter alone (Set Free) is worth the price of admission, as it examines the biblical/historical perspective on slavery. Moncrieffe deftly illuminates how the reality of enslavement in antiquity speaks to relevant social issues in our current world. While acknowledging “it is often easy to suggest (from our contextual social lens) that Paul doesn’t go far enough on the issue of slavery…” we are taken deeper into the broader biblical perspective on how God values human beings, and how that might be more properly demonstrated in today’s world.
But the book’s deeper focus is found in its study on the relational aspect of redemption and salvation. In Philemon the Gospel is set forth as Love restoring broken relationships through forgiveness and the extending of uncommon mercy. Moncrieffe examines the pain and discomfort involved in dealing with the complex web of offenses and injustices that interrupt healthy relationships; then challenges us to endure them! The Love Triangle, almost therapeutically invites us all to investigate our own brokenness, and the breaches within relationships that we share, while also urging us to greater grace for the purpose of healing.
Paul’s letter to Philemon offers a hopeful view for anyone who has endured the pain of broken relationships, or who may feel hopelessly beyond the reach of restoration. Better still, for those who may feel the outrage of having endured offense as innocent victims, Moncrieffe’s work provides a call to transcend simply being right, and going on to become redemptively merciful.
The accompanying chapter summaries and reflection questions serve as an excellent guide for Bible students and ministry leaders. It will renew faith for Bible students, equip and empower ministry leaders, and demonstrate how to reflect Christ’s character of affirmation, advocacy and acceptance.
