Gospel: Problem or Solution?

Blog Post found here.

Content of post:

If you died after not having chemotherapy, you died not because of the absence of chemo, but because of the cancer. Thus men suffer God’s wrath not because they didn’t hear the gospel, but because they’re sinners rebelling against a holy God—the gospel is the solution, not the problem.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In today's modern (at least American) world, it is all about blame. I recently was reading some comments people were making about Common Core. One gentleman blamed our poor performance in education on the fact that some people believe dinosaurs walked with humans. Really? That explains it? Or is the real answer found in his answer in the fact that we arrogant Americans can't believe that other people or cultures might have a better way of doing some things? It is this arrogant line of thinking that in the '70's and '80's led us to such great advances at the Chevy Vega and Ford Pinto, opening the door for the quality minded Japanese to make huge advances into the auto industry. And now what is on of the slogans of one of our largest auto makers? "Quality is Job One."

We want to blame the gospel for the problems it creates, when the gospel is pure and holy, and does not create problems, it solves THE problem of humanity. But just like with anything, it can be abused or misused in the hands of sinful men.

Maybe that is why humility is such an important quality for the true Christian. Maybe that is why the Bible is more concerned with our inward focus, and not the outward one. Maybe that is why before we can remove that obvious, dog-gone plank from another, we need to worry about getting rid of that annoying speck in our own eye. The one that makes us squint and rub our eyes till they are red and we can't see clearly out of them. Cause if we could see clearly, we might see that that isn't a plank after all.

Where does time go?

Hard to believe that I have not posted in over a month. The end of the school year only brought on more conferences, trainings, and overall busyness than I thought possible.

But God is faithful. He sees us through the busyness and will eventually provide the rest we need.

Which curtain, Monte?

Blog Post here.

Here is the entire post on this occasion:

Which is Easier: Loving People or Following Rules?

Posted on April 25, 2013 by jesuswithoutbaggage
 

We discussed earlier that, as believers, we are not asked to follow rules of ANY kind. Instead, we are to embrace two principles—love the Father and love others as ourselves. These are the standards of behavior. No rules are involved at all—no checklist of behaviors to follow.

If this is so, why do people focus on rules and lists of sins? I think I know the answer. Following rules—even difficult rules—often seems easier than loving others.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I want to begin by stating that there are some things that I agree with here.

• Being a Christian is not about merely following a list of rules.
• We are to love the Father
• We are to love others as ourselves
• Following rules is easier than loving others.

But where do these thoughts lead us?  It is apparent that for the author of this blog, they lead him to a place of antinomianism (lawlessness) and universalism. If you think I might be misinterpreting, read here, here, or here.

And let me say that I understand the reaction the author has to the fundamental, legalistic approach he was exposed to growing up and on into adulthood. When we focus only on what we are to do and not why we are to do it, it does become a huge, even impossible strain. But I also find it interesting how often the place we land theologically is opposite of the place we started.

So the author suggests we switch from rules to principles. Does that mean that I can do anything as long as I say I love God?  Can I murder? As long as it is perhaps an abortion doctor? Can I steal? Perhaps as long as it is from someone who does not deserve their money or has gotten it in a less than proper way? (By the way, the answer here would have to be Yes, because their are no rules, but if there are no rules, then the abortion doctor or thief has done nothing wrong either, so is the answer now no? But if it is, does that become a rule when there are no rules?)

Yes, following rules alone is easier than loving people. But common sense leads me to believe that I must do both.Your thoughts?