Erecting false dilemmas is a staple of theological liberalism in this day and age. The latest well meaning statement I ran across said something along the lines of how Christ came to bring us grace, not doctrine (name withheld to protect the innocent!). In a real sense, there is some truth in this, but ultimately, it falls short of being a solid idea.
First of all, Jesus did come to bring us grace. That's true. The cross of Christ is a life giving fountain of grace. He dies and rises for us. He did that, past tense. It's the Gospel and it's done. He also delivers this work to us in the present via His Word and Sacraments.
Wait a second. This is all doctrine. That is where the statement falls short of making any meaningful sense. The statement pits grace against doctrine. To be plain, this is a false dichotomy. Doctrine is teaching. Doctrine is content. We learn doctrine. We study doctrine. It's not a bad word, it's what we have! Christ came because we needed grace. That's the truth. But to separate grace from doctrine is a serious mistake. To pit them against each other turns grace into some random mystical thing that we have no clue about.
Ultimately, this is nothing more than theological liberalism masquerading in the form of anti-intellectualism. Would the theological liberals not have our pastors preach and teach from the pulpit? Would they have us not teach our children the truth about Christ? Does doctrine really not matter?
Come on. Think with me a bit here. How do we know what grace is without hearing about it? What about Jesus? How do we know who He is and what He has done for us?
That would be doctrine. Need some Scripture? OK.
Romans 10:14-15: How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 16:17: I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
1 Timothy 1:3-11: As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
1 Timothy 4:6: If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
1 Timothy 6:3-5: If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Titus 1:9: He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
So you see, the statement that Christ came to bring us needed grace but not doctrine is quite anti-Christian indeed.
+Grace and Peace+
No comments:
Post a Comment