The gospel and?
Posted On Friday, 31 August 2007 at at 12:13:00 pm by LisaThis week in class (and when I say in class i mean via online class) we have been discussing the book of Galatians and whether the book was written to a legalist or nomist situation.
This post is not on that. (I hear a sigh of belief from many people who were afraid they were going to have to find out what nomist meant :P )
However it has made me ponder this:
- Is the gospel we live a gospel with additives. Thus, we say you accept Jesus by faith, but then after becoming a Christian there are certain things one is expected to do to 'stay' Christian, or to be accepted as a christian, or to become 'more christian'. By this I mean, what cultural expectations do we implicitly or explicitly put on ourselves and other believers. For example:
* A true christian reads their bible every day?
* A true christian must go to church every week?
* A true christian doesn't drink
* A true christian must only...........
Have you or do you experience any of these additivies? Where did they come from? Do you think they are cultural add ons? Or are they necessary to make a healthy church community?
interesting aye? i've always wondered how Jesus always told the people He forgave - "go and sin no more", and like that's such a blanket statement and such a high expectation, yet everytime i'm in Church and the pastors are talking about it their additive is: "you'll continue to sin, but the most important thing is that you keep asking for forgiveness"
did Jesus really expect such a high standard, or did He know that for example the woman who had committed adultery and was about to be stoned would definitely commit no more sexual sins?
but yeah to answer the question, i didn't go to Church until a year after i became a Christian and was overwhelmed by the whole culture of Christianity that i'd never imagined when picturing it in my head based on what i knew from the Bible (eg. tithing, singing)
Maybe the gospel that gets taught isn't big enough, life-changing enough to fully transform people's lives? In order to get the gospel into people, people resort to simplistic explanations (e.g.: all you have to do is pray the sinners prayer, and then you're sweet), and are later forced to adding to their original gospel (continuing e.g.: now that you've prayed the sinners prayer, you've got to do this, that, etc).
don't you advocate exclusionism and favouritism though Fraser?
sorry Fraser, it's just that when you say how Christians "should" and "shouldn't" be doing things it reminds me of Capill telling people what they should and shouldn't be like
Again stan, as you are so into referencing, I highly recommend this link from Sovereign Grace Ministries, New Attitude conference for Young Adults, called 'Discern your doctrine' I am sure you will find it most helpful in light of this discussion
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/productinfo.aspx?ProductID=A2270-02-51
Fraser: Hi! Yes I have visited your blog, only last week from Natro's site I see you are a fello Baptist down in Chch! Thanks for your most inisightful comments!
Stan, you are very aware of the commenting policy of this blog.
So your comment has been removed.
As I am sure you are aware I do not spend all day staring at my navel and pondering over theological issues, as thrilling as that might appear. Like many other bloggers I have a job (actually two) and also have a life outside blogging that I like to participate in.
I will respond to the issue you bought up after I have speant some more time coming up with a reasoned response as this is a good topic you have raised.
If you wish to continue this conversation you may email me. My email address is avaliable off my blogger profile.