As Christianity became coopted by the Roman Empire, it got stuck in the tragically hegemonic ruts of institutionalization and establishment with imperial power, and so became more domesticated. The kind of Christianity that emerged has been called "Christendom." As it took the throne, it took many vital parts of the Way hostage. Among them: radical discipleship to Jesus Christ, nonviolence, wariness of worldly power, the doctrine of grace, and the church's sense of mission.
Martin Luther, himself a part of Christendom, sought to free grace from its 1000+ captivity. In doing so, he nailed the need for true grace so firmly to the church doors that it nailed the door shut to the ability for his contemporaries or future Christians to free any of the above hostages of Christendom. Reformed theology's death grip on grace has been so exclusive that it has held back the way of any future reform. Mission, nonviolence, radical discipleship, the whole lot -- they're still held bound and gagged, and the freed hostage of grace seems to be guarding the door.
Just as Luther was fed up with a millennium of a Christianity strangled by imperial Christendom, the time has come for another God-seeking revolt: this time, against Luther and the Reformers themselves.
Indulge me by returning to that metaphor of the faith's door nailed so shut by Luther's statements that we've been unable to rescue any other core principles of the faith held hostage by Christendom. I think some folks got a glimpse of those other bound and gagged hostages (nonviolence, wariness of worldly power, radical discipleship, ecclesial mission and so many more) as Luther came running willy-nilly through the opened doors and down the church steps with a grace freed from Christendom's narrow sacramentalism. Seeing these captives still bound, I think the Anabaptists smuggled nonviolence, radical discipleship, and wariness of worldly power also from Christendom. They did alright, but seemed tragically often to keep to themselves... they followed Jesus much further than did Reformed or Catholic congregations seemed to, but never were interested in freeing and including that last hostage, the mission of the church, into its corpus praxis.
Tragically, it seems that the Reformers and Grace walked back into the confines of Christendom and took their seats in the pews. Indeed, the past 500 years in those pews has warped who and what Grace really is, what a freed sense of her should really be and mean to the Christian and the world. Now freed from Christendom, she has perverted herself in such a way as to keep the hideous empire going: it is now a false and warped Grace which is holding mission and the rest captive. But more on that later.
Recently, the emergent church has been a response to the strangle of Reformed Grace. Our brothers and sisters of the Reformation (read: most Protestants) narrow the meaning of grace to two things.
First, it's something that primarily saves you for eternity -- a sort of flotation device that falls from heaven onto some people and assures them that they get to sit on the lap of Jesus for ever and ever. God chose to save you, which means you're "in" and "safe" when the whole shit-show goes down on Judgment Day. Grace is something which primarily assures you of your safety on that day, to the Reformed folks -- it'll keep us from God beating the tar out of us, and there was NOTHING we did to earn it.
And second, our beloved brothers and sisters of the Reformation have made grace terribly neurotic about works, about grace being a warm-fuzzy which one receives and abides in, but not something which enables us to do good works. "There's nothing I could have done to earn it, he just loves me so much, it's wonderful. And to think there's all those people, like the Catholics, that think they have to earn their salvation -- oh, how great grace is!"
He does love us (a lot!), and we don't deserve grace, and we don't earn it.
But Ephesians 2:10 says God saved for good works.
And Romans 2:6 says everyone is judged by their works.
And James says faith without works is dead.
Yet Reformed folks get so freaked out about God wanting us to do anything, they'll accuse people of trying to earn their salvation. "That's great that you're helping the poor, but don't think that's what's getting you into heaven." We who think justice is a core component of Christ's gospel don't think that. That's not why we give to the poor or buy organic or bring homeless in to stay in our homes. We do these things because God's grace has changed our hearts deeply, and it has become our new nature to want to reflect Him to others. Indeed, we're just doing these good works because we love people. I'm not saying this to brag (I'm lousy at doing this justice thing!), but to explain to the Neurotic Reformed why we're living with a sense of grace-enabled, other-minded mission.
The free grace of God cannot be a crutch we lean on as an excuse for not living the gospel. We can't bypass Jesus' command to love others and follow him just because we'd hate for there to be a morsel of "earning our salvation" in the back of our heads. God's bigger than that, he doesn't care. A real and freed sense of grace breaking into our hearts would thrash us all about so awfully that we simply couldn't help but want to do good works!
And here's where I'll throw the gloves down. Reformed theology is used as an excuse for not doing works like caring for the poor or living gently on creation -- those activities are seen warily as possible "works-salvation". But other biblical mandates such as sexual purity, tithing, edification, honoring our parents, and right teaching are all seen as expected things to do as Christians. It's all that self-sacrificing, other-minded, justice-oriented aspects of Christian morality that Reformed folks today will poo-poo as being done with mixed intents. It's the parts of the gospel that we don't like that we excuse ourselves from.
Shame on us. And may God forgive us for thinking in that direction. Our Lord Jesus told the Pharisees that they'd done great jumping through the religious hoops, "but have neglected the weightier matters of the law such as justice and mercy. You should have done the latter without neglecting the former." I can hear him saying to Luther's heirs something quite like that.
The culture of Reformed churches that talks of grace this way is not what the Bible means by grace, and I don't know that even the original reformers meant it to be. Grace has been amazing, but it's so that we can get on with being the people of God for the world and partnering with the Lord in his mission in the world.
But what is the mission of the church? N.T. Wright says it is God's transformed people for the world, the peculiar people who implement Christ's victory over sin on the cross and in Easter by actively anticipating the New Heaven and New Earth that is coming: God's agents of new creation. And Rob Bell says it is "God's countercultural insurgency that actually thinks the world can be turned rightside up."
That is what grace is for. And glory to our Father above that it is out of love! I am elated to tears that my God, our God, loves me and you and everyone so much that he hasn't given up on us. He is graciously making us new creations with delight and love. That is good news indeed.
So let's stop excusing ourselves from mission, from the "take up your cross" aspects of being transformed by grace. Let's stop worrying about works-salvation and actually start to reflect our savior to this sin-stained, war-torn, addiction-addled world. Anything less is a cheap and small grace indeed.
Comments (13)
Hey Brandon,
interesting article. You said:
And second, our beloved brothers and sisters of the Reformation have made grace terribly neurotic about works, about grace being a warm-fuzzy which one receives and abides in, but not something which enables us to do good works. "There's nothing I could have done to earn it, he just loves me so much, it's wonderful. And to think there's all those people, like the Catholics, that think they have to earn their salvation -- oh, how great grace is!"
I'm not sure what "Calvinists" you're referencing here . . . but you're mistaken. In fact most Calvinists emphasize "good works" (however you want to define those) as a necessary function of election. You know the "practical syllogism".
Posted by bobby grow | March 1, 2007 6:52 AM
Posted on March 1, 2007 06:52
Nice post, Brandon. I've linked to you on my own blog.
Bring it, John Piper, indeed!
Posted by Halden | March 1, 2007 12:20 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 12:20
Brandon,
not to come of too terse, I do agree with the general thesis of your article--I just think you "over-stated" your point on the doctrinal trajectory of the "Reformed".
We indeed, do need to be involved in the extension of the shalom of Christ, through the proclamation and "action" that the gospel requires and implies.
In Christ
Posted by bobby grow | March 2, 2007 3:52 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 15:52
Hi Bobby Grow,
Thanks for your comments -- I think you've got a point.
To be clear: I am NOT lashing out at Reformed theology, but the cultural baggage that has grown up around it. That is, emphasizing the gospel as "God's free gift of grace" rather than "the kingdom of God at hand", and a neurotic declaration of defending the ordo salutis or salvation-by-faith-not-works at Bible studies -- "Just as long as you know it was God that did that, not you!".
My guess is that this is because while I agree with much of Reformed theology, my quarrels directly with it is that it is "putting the wrong emPHAsis on the wrong sylLAbles," so to speak. That is, while it answers some of the harder nuances of salvation with good rigor, it winds up nearly commodifying the gospel as a free heaven ticket, rather than a reality to enter, relationship to grow in, and a way to follow to the cross.
Reformed theology is a good way of answering hard questions, but a lousy foundation to build the rest of your theology on. And because it is a weak theological foundation instead of a nifty flourish on a better bedrock theology (may I suggest, narrative theology?), it winds up fertilizing the abhorrently non-missional and weak-on-justice church culture that my article whines about.
(I hope this comment makes sense, I realize it's a bit wandering. Eek.)
Cheers and beers over fears,
Brandon
Posted by Brandon | March 2, 2007 5:27 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 17:27
Brandon thanks for the reply.
I'm not "Reformed" myself; actually I'm a graduate of both the bible college (01) and the seminary (03) at Multnomah. I worked for Frost, as his TA, and appreciated much of his thought on Affective theology (although not all ;). I agree with you the gospel has been made a commodity by many traditions--and does not emphasize a relational framework that I believe the scriptures describe and prescribe. I think grace, in the Reformed sense, is definitely seen as a "substance" which indeed has negative consequences relative to Christian spirituality and ethics.
What year are you at the seminary? And what program are you doing?
In Christ
Posted by bobby grow | March 3, 2007 5:34 AM
Posted on March 3, 2007 05:34
Btw, I'm what you might call a "theological Recabite" so I'll have to pass on the beer . . . cheers though ;~).
Posted by bobby grow | March 3, 2007 5:38 AM
Posted on March 3, 2007 05:38
I am no theologian. So some of what I will attempt to say might not come out right.
I am Christian. Period. Brothers and Sisters, we're all in one body. I just wanted to preface that with all else I will say.
I go to a Reformed church plant where I go to school (here's the site in fact, bygraceonline.org). Each week grace is spoken about throughout the talks. And you know what- I have no complaints. It speaks to our heart condition. We're deprived, wretched human beings in need of God's grace. Ultimately, I believe that grace + nothing= righteousness with God.
With that said, works should not be ignored. Mercy and justice to God's people is at the heart of the gospel, at the heart of his grace. Neither should be minimalized. Grace and works go hand in hand. Without faith, works are meaningless. Without grace, the church is simply a humanitarian mission spurred on by a worthy teacher, Jesus Christ.
We're all given gifts to serve God's kingdom. John Piper teaches (his writings continue to encourage me as a believer). Some people are given gifts of mercy. Others the gift of service. The list goes on...
basically, all of these gifts serve as the mission of the church- to love on people near and far from us. It is through God we are equipped, through his grace, we can carry out these works. They need to be developed. Nurtured. Encouraged. Grace shows that if you fail, if you screw up, God still loves you. I think grace is central to the Church's work.
It is sad to observe that grace is used as an excuse not to do works. I have seen that far too many times in my bible-belt upbringing. I have seen that far too many times in my college Christian community. I get so agitated here- why does no one do anything? It breaks my heart.
But I do not believe reformed theology is at fault. Like many theologies, it has lost some meaning over the years and people use it to fit their own comfortable lifestyles.
I stand here today, reconciling reformed and emergent theologies in my daily life. I live a life, walking in God's grace, but I don't continue to ignore the justice that needs to be brought to our world. Even though it's a problem in my community, there are people, reformed Christians, fighting against the apathy commonly seen.
And with that, although I loved Shane Claiborne's book, The Irresistible Revolution, I was bothered that he seemed to value works over grace.
With all of that said, I like your blog. It was challenging and thought-provoking.
Posted by Janelle Esposito | March 7, 2007 12:26 AM
Posted on March 7, 2007 00:26
oh and i forgot i wanted to include this in my slightly long-winded comment:
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.- Ephesians 2:6-9
That sums it up.
Posted by Janelle Esposito | March 7, 2007 12:44 AM
Posted on March 7, 2007 00:44
Bobby: I'm finishing my second year in the M.A.P.S. program, with an emphasis in Intercultural Studies, but am taking one more year to get through it all. Have you heard that this is Frost's last term at the seminary? He's fed up with non-affective teaching contexts, and he thinks Multnomah is "going liberal" on divorce and remarriage for faculty. He'll be missed, certainly.
Janelle:
Thank you for your thoughtful words; they need to be said. I suppose if I were to rewrite this article, I would have made it clear that I really am trying to lash out at the *culture* of Reformed theology, not the theology itself, agree with it for other reasons here unstated though I may.
I do hope this didn't come across as an attack on Reformed folks, or on grace. I go to school with lost of Piper-lovin' brothers and sisters, and am thankful for their contributions to emphasizing the personal relationship and recieved-love-of-God aspects of our faith.
I just hope they can progress their idea of grace from one of "saving-from-hell" to one of "transforming-the-world-now".
Blessings! :)
-BDR
Posted by Brandon | March 9, 2007 11:56 AM
Posted on March 9, 2007 11:56
"I just hope they can progress their idea of grace from one of "saving-from-hell" to one of "transforming-the-world-now"."
YES. I full-heartedly agree.
Posted by Janelle | March 22, 2007 11:15 PM
Posted on March 22, 2007 23:15
hi
Posted by Anonymous | March 24, 2007 9:11 AM
Posted on March 24, 2007 09:11
that was me who said 'hi'
i envied reading this post
the word pictures were well done
Posted by sam | March 24, 2007 9:13 AM
Posted on March 24, 2007 09:13
"Reformed theology is used as an excuse for not doing works like caring for the poor or living gently on creation -- those activities are seen warily as possible 'works-salvation'."
Who uses Reformed Theology as an excuse for not caring for the poor? Who views these activities with suspicion as possible 'works-righteousness?'
George Mueller cared for an estimated 100,000 orphans in his lifetime. William Carey founded the Agrihorticultural Society of India, and William Wilberforce fought his whole life to abolish slavery; David Livingstone also abhorring Slavery and whose legacy aided in ending Colonialism in Africa. They were all Reformed, they all believed in Salvation by Grace Alone and they all believed in the Particular Love of God which compels people to give of themselves for the world. George Mueller even wrote the following in his autobiography:
"Before this period I had been much opposed to the doctrines of election, particular redemption, and final persevering grace; so much so that, a few days after my arrival at Teignmouth, I called election a devilish doctrine. ... But now I was brought to examine these precious truths by the word of God. Being made willing to have no glory of my own in the conversion of sinners, but to consider myself merely as an instrument; and being made willing to receive what the Scriptures said; I went to the Word, reading the New Testament from the beginning, with a particular reference to these truths. To my great astonishment I found that the passages which speak decidedly for election and persevering grace, were about four times as many as those which speak apparently against these truths; and even those few, shortly after, when I had examined and understood them, served to confirm me in the above doctrines. As to the effect which my belief in these doctrines had on me, I am constrained to state, for God's glory, that though I am still exceedingly weak, and by no means so dead to the lusts of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as I might and as I ought to be, yet, by the grace of God, I have walked more closely with Him since that period. ... Thus, I say, the electing love of God in Christ (when I have been able to realize it) has often been the means of producing holiness, instead of leading me into sin."
Souce: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20379/20379-8.txt
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June 7, 2007 1:05 PM
Posted on June 7, 2007 13:05