Convictional Separation

I grew up in Churches of Christ, in a very conservative sub-set of the Churches of Christ known as “non-institutional churches.” That tradition is characterized by many things, some good and some bad. Among the very good characteristics of the movement is a deep love for the Bible and a strong commitment to obedience to the Scriptures. Every week the Bible’s authority was affirmed and verses read or cited that supported the doctrinal and practical distinctions of those churches. Bible classes were just that, Bible classes. We studied, and we learned. Now there may have been a lack of textual variety to some of those classes. Certain books and themes were studied often while others only infrequently or not at all. There was also an undeniable lack of theological rigor and depth to much of that teaching. The same basic truths were recited again and again and again while great swaths of fundamental theology were overlooked. But there is no doubt my initial love for Scripture, study of it, and commitment to living under its authority can be attributed to my experience and upbringing in Churches of Christ.

My religious commitments and theological convictions changed significantly in my late twenties and early thirties. The foundational commitment to divine authority and Scripture-driven discipleship did not waver, but the content of my theology and the paradigms by which I had previously understood salvation were dramatically and irreversibly altered. During that time many friends in the Churches of Christ began to fear for my soundness and, consequently, for my salvation. They responded to these fears in many different ways. Some acted against my ministry, taking steps they believed were necessary to protect the churches I influenced. Others responded to me personally, seeking to rebuke and correct my thinking so as to reclaim me to the way of salvation, as they understood it. Eventually a separation became inevitable, and though it occurred in a way none of us could have predicted, the Lord finally moved me and my family out of the Churches of Christ and into a non-denominational, evangelical communion.

Separation is always painful, even when it is unavoidable or even necessary. But one thing I can say with sincerity about my separation from Churches of Christ, those who stood against me did so because they believed Scripture required it. We may disagree, passionately so, on doctrine, theology, and the gospel, but we are united in an unswerving and uncompromising commitment to obeying the word of God no matter what it means. I respect that conviction, even though I may deplore some of the tactics used by my critics. My commitment to the authority of Scripture required me to admit when my understanding of particular issues (e.g. justification by faith alone) changed, and my friends in Churches of Christ were similarly obligated to oppose what they considered to be false doctrine.

If and when believers separate, let it be because our commitment to Christ and to obeying the teachings of his word require it to be so. It is sad how rarely this seems to be the case. People leave churches because they don’t like the music or want more social programs. Some want a better youth program. Others complain they don’t get out of it what they want, never stopping to question what God might want. The departed often act from very superficial motives, and churches divide for reasons that are rooted in carnality, not Christ-centered conviction. Separation because of irreconcilable and unacceptance differences in biblical conviction is regrettable, but it is much to be preferred to separation because of personality or personal preference. If the unity of believers must be disrupted, let it be that our allegiance to Christ and conscientious obedience to him is the cause. -JME

Why Do Disciples Stay?

The day after Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish, he preached a sermon at the synagogue in Capernaum that drove many who once followed him away (John 6:1-66). The lesson was hard to understand. Jesus made confusing, absolute statements (e.g. vv.35, 38, 51, 53-56). He rebuked the motivations of many of those seeking him (vv.26-27). He even went so far as to say many of those listening to him would not (and could not, except by the Father’s sovereign, effectual grace) be saved (vv.36-37, 44-45, 63-65). As a result, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (66). The crowd that had clamored to see Jesus now rejected what he taught and walked away.

How did Jesus respond to the rejection of the multitude? Did he run after them, begging for another opportunity to be heard? Did he perform another miracle, hoping his audience would return? Did he apologize for being so stern and judgmental? Did he repent of preaching a hard lesson the crowd could not understand? No, the Lord did none of these things. Instead, he turned to the Twelve that remained and asked, “Do you want to go away as well?” (67)

The twelve apostles chose to stay with Jesus, but not for the reason some may assume. They did not understand what Jesus meant when he said people must eat his flesh and drink his blood, and they may have been as shocked at Jesus’ rebuke and tone as the rest of the audience that day. But when asked if they would go, Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (vv.68-69). That is the difference, not their understanding of his teaching, not their personal delight in his strident tone, but their conviction and trust in his person. They may not have known what Jesus meant or why he took such an aggressive stance with the crowd, but they knew who he was, and they trusted him.

There are many people in the crowd today who seek Jesus for all kinds of reasons. Some are curious because of what they have heard. Others are needy and want something from him. Some want a show and to be entertained. Others wants self-validation and to feel superior as part of a group. But Jesus does not commit himself to any of these (cf. John 2:24-25). The question is not so much whether we know Jesus as whether Jesus knows us, because that is the only thing that will matter on the last day (cf. Matt. 7:21-23; Gal. 4:9).

Not everyone in the crowd that hangs around Jesus belongs to him, not all of them truly follow him. But those who are not truly his will eventually be sorted out. Some will be offended by his teaching and angrily walk away. Others will be leave because he does not meet their expectations and demands. Some will fall away because of trials and persecution (Matt. 13:20-21). Others will be choked out and made barren by their commitment to the world (Matt. 13:22). Some will only be revealed in the Judgment at the last day (Matt. 13:30; 1Tim. 5:24). But the real disciples will endure (Heb. 3:14). They will remain with Christ through thick and thin to the very end (John 10:27-30). They will survive, not because of their strength or wisdom or intelligence or resolve, but because the Father who knows them, loves them, draws them, and justifies them will also hold them and keep them to the very end (Rom. 8:28-30; 1Pet. 1:3-5).

Do not confuse participation in the crowd with personally having a relationship with Christ. Do not mistake involvement in Jesus’ activities with citizenship in his kingdom. Do not trust in your strength and understanding to carry you to heaven. You may find yourself rebuked by the Master and confronted with a sermon you do not understand. In that moment, what will matter is not what you think or like or want. All that matters is what you know about Christ and whether you will trust in him, no matter what. He alone has the words of eternal life. Cling to him. Stand with him. Never turn away from him. There is nowhere else to go. -JME

Bandwagon Believism

Disclosure: While my personal positions and commitments relative to the two “movements” in this article should be fairly obvious to those who know me, I chose to let both appear without comment to communicate the larger point.

It is so easy. Everyone is subject to it, though some may be more vulnerable than others. We might call it bandwagon believism, when a popular writer, speaker, or scholar affirms a particular viewpoint and suddenly many people rush to jump onboard. The phenomenon is undeniable. Human beings are fickle creatures. Scripture testifies to how the immature are “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). But bandwagon believism is not legitimate or lasting conviction, though it may often be mistaken for such. The church always needs less bandwagon believism and more biblical conviction.

The last two decades have seen a surge in Reformed theology, especially as many young people have identified with the “Young, Restless, and Reformed.” The influence and teaching ministry of men like John MacArthur, John Piper, Tim Keller, and Francis Chan have, no doubt, played a crucial role in the growth of the Reformed community. Has there been legitimate, lasting conviction of the biblical basis for Reformed theology and real conversion to it during this time? Undoubtedly so. Have there also been bandwagon believers jumping onboard? Undeniably. Time and God’s final judgment will ultimately reveal the fruit and substance, or lack thereof, of those associated with the Reformed resurgence.

The historical-critical-approach to Bible interpretation has seen a similar growth in number of proponents during the last two decades. The work of men like N. T. Wright, John Walton, Christopher Hays, and Peter Enns has gone a long way to making such methods popular and accessible to a much larger audience than ever before. Will this growth in the HCA eventually replace the older historical-grammatical-approach and completely transform the field of biblical studies, as some predict? Perhaps, at least in academic and major denominational circles. But have there also been some jumping on the bandwagon without thinking critically through the issues? Of course. Time and God’s judgment will also ultimately disclose the fruit and substance of HCA methods in the study of Scripture.

It is not wrong to embrace a doctrinal perspective that happens to be popular at the time. Neither is it wrong to oppose a doctrinal perspective when it happens to be fashionable to do so. The question is, why? Why do you believe what you believe? What is the basis for your convictions, and will you still have them when they are no longer popular? Will you defend your views on God’s sovereignty or human freedom or biblical inerrancy or historical errors in the Bible when the tide has turned against you and you find yourself in the minority? You may be convinced while walking in unison with a crowd, but the strength of your conviction may one day be tested by how courageous you are when backed alone into a corner.

New perspectives should neither be accepted nor rejected uncritically, and all of us should beware of the temptation either to jump onboard exciting new movements or quickly grab a pitchfork as others do so. What is truly novel is never good in terms of theology (Jer. 6:16), but not everything that may be unfamiliar to you is truly new (Acts 17:11). Let the Scriptures ultimately test new ideas and inform the faith you confess and practice (2Tim. 3:16-17). The words of Paul are apropos in this context, “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1Thess. 5:21). May God give us wisdom and grace to do so. -JME

The New Creation: Already, But Not Yet

There is a definite “already, but not yet” tension to the teaching of the New Testament. Believers in Christ participate in and partake of His new creation, the redemption of this world and its deliverance from the curse and weight of sin (Rom. 8:18-25). Those in Christ are part of that new creation, not only in the forgiveness of our sins and the crucifixion of our old man of sin, but also in our new status as new covenant members, children of God, and heirs of the new heavens and new earth (2Cor. 5:16-17). We live between two worlds: the sin-cursed world which still groans and aches for the revelation of God’s Son and also the redeemed creation begun in our hearts and waiting to burst forth and restore what was lost at the Fall (cf. Rev. 22:1-5).

The new creation is true of Christians today, prior to the return of Christ. We have received a new heart (Ezek. 36:26), a new birth (John 3:5-8), and a new status as members of God’s family (John 1:12-13) and heirs of His promises (Gal. 3:29). But all who partake of the new creation in this life are still confronted by trials (1Pet. 4:12), subject to temptation (1Cor. 10:12-13), often weighed down by sins (Heb. 12:1-2), and troubled by evil and death (John 16:33; 1Thess. 4:13-18). Nevertheless, Christ’s work guarantees the completion of that new creation when the ultimate results of His redemptive labor are revealed (Php. 1:6; 3:20-21). Jesus has triumphed, already (Col. 2:15). Jesus has defeated sin and death, already (Rom. 8:2). Jesus has accomplished the Father’s purpose, already (John 17:4; 19:30). But each will be manifested more fully and perfectly shortly.

When Jesus returns His lordship will be universally known and acknowledged (Php. 2:9-11). His victory over sin and death will be fully realized when the dead are raised and the redeemed are received into everlasting life in the presence of God (1Cor. 15:50-57). At that time the perfection of Jesus’ work will be seen and the salvation of God’s elect will be complete (1Pet. 1:3-9). We participate by faith in unseen realities (cf. 2Cor. 5:7; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 11:27). We endure because we know the victory has already been won. The outcome of the contest is not in doubt. Christian, trust Jesus, dare boldly for His cause, and do not fear the enemies, pain, or trials through which you must pass. We have, by God’s grace, already won. -JME

Losing By Winning Sinners

You have probably heard the expression, “What you win them with is most likely what you win them to.” I do not know who said it first, but it has been repeated often enough without attestation to become common property. This phrase points us to an important truth about soul-winning and church growth. If we attempt to woo people to Christ or the church with anything other than the gospel, we are subverting the biblical process (Rom. 10:8-17) and converting them to a form of idolatry, not Christ (John 6:24-29).

There are some obvious ways this error manifests itself. Churches frequently market themselves based on their inclusiveness, relevance, worship style, or youth programs. Many sell prospects on a church’s friendliness, relationships, or other tangential benefits. Churches should be welcoming to the lost, relevant to the culture, worshipful, attentive to youth, and full of meaningful relationships. But the point is if they are believing and practicing the gospel, they already are those things. If those things do not exist within our fellowship, it is an indication of our failure to fully believe and obey the full implications of the gospel, not evidence our outreach needs supplementation to reach modern culture.

If we endeavor to win the lost or grow the church with anything other than the gospel, we create an idolatrous system that cannot be sustained. Those who enter the church because of a particular worship style or youth program will leave it just as quickly when something better suited or more appealing can be found elsewhere. Even worse, those profess faith in Christ or join a church for reasons other than true faith in Christ are deceived into thinking they have forgiveness and security they do not have. We inadvertently give them false assurance and send them happily on their way to Hell. -JME