Which God are we dealing with here? I've been revisiting the writings of Robert Farrar Capon, the Episcopalian priest, and thought I'd share this excerpt:
[Does a promise to God have to be kept?]
It depends on the kind of God you're dealing with. With most gods, that's the way the game is supposed to be played. But with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I think not.
[So Christians don't have to keep their word to God?]
... Not exactly. I'm saying that your promises to God -- or my promises or anyone else's -- are not capable of getting us either accepted by God or damned by God. Acceptance, according to the Gospel, is a free gift bestowed on a world full of four-flushes. And it's given to them despite their four-flushing, right in the midst of their four-flushing. It is not a reward for hotshot behaviour in the promise-keeping department. And damnation is not a punishment for breaking promises to God -- or even for breaking the commandments of God himself; it's a consequence of stupidly throwing away the gift of acceptance.
Father Capon's work is witty and insightful. The above excerpt comes from the excellent The Mystery of Christ and Why We Don't Get It. I'd also recommend his entertaining walk through theology Hunting the Divine Fox: Images and Mystery in Christian Faith or his magnum opus, Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus. Great stuff. Alternatively, you can read (and hear) some of his sermons over at 30 Good Minutes.
Dave
7:55:49 AM 
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