https://cewgreen.substack.com/p/law-is-grace
“The grace of the Holy Spirit is the embodiment of the law” (Thomas Aquinas)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatian 6:14
Ever since the early church was founded by the Apostle Peter according to Acts of the Bible, there has been a continuous battle of religious leaders arguing between grace and “the law”. It appears that even after all the letters Paul wrote the early churches of that first century, there was still little clarity by clergy, popes, or theologians on the difference between the gospel of grace as taught by Jesus, and the gospel of the law that came out of Old Testament Jewish traditions. Jesus was largely put to death because of his differing teaching about the law and His claiming to be the “fulfillment of the law”. How clear are you on this?
The podcast link above is an interesting and deep discussion between two theologians…one who comes out of Pentecostalism into embracing traditions of Anglican and Roman Catholic theologies. The other comes from evangelical roots to then get a Divinity Doctorate from Princeton and becoming more Anglican and/or “Catholic” in her theology also.
It is no wonder to me that many professing Christians are confused or ignorant about these varying theologies. It seems the more you study and contemplate, the more complicated “God’s revelation” through scriptures becomes. Out of these complications arise division and disunity in the Christian faith that seems to be used quite well by the evil one to work against the SPIRITUAL growth and definition of “The Church”.
I don’t know about you, but I find myself fighting against the legalism found in pursuit of “Theology”, and yet my mind wants to know and understand the history of the faith as embodied in the whole ugly history of the Christian church. On the other hand, I really just want to simply understand what it means to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). That to me seems a mystical, spiritual pursuit that does not depend on me understanding all the mysteries of theologies and doctrines or even most of the Bible. Do I have to know and believe the story of “Adam and Eve” in order to be “saved”? There is only one in whom we MUST believe for Christian salvation.
The divisions, crusades, “enlightenment”, the Reformation, Roman Catholicism, Charismatic movements, and now the myriads of denominations and independent mega churches are all competing for their “corner” on Biblical truth. This confuses the whole world. In modern times it often comes down to experiential spiritism versus the pragmatic works based programs most Christian sectors espouse, and they compete for my attention.
While Bible believers always emphasize the “truth of scripture”, it is obvious to me that not all interpretations of those scriptures can measure up as “truth”. There is “absolute” truth which can’t really be questioned, and “relative” truth…which is to define truth via one’s own personal experiences that are often metaphysical in nature.
Many people claim to see God’s face in the clouds while most only see…clouds. Relative truth is basically where someone is sure they are seeing God in that cloud, and who am I to state they are not seeing that? Yet, because I don’t see it, I would not label it an absolute truth or proof of God’s existence.
Most of these chasms in the history of the Christian church are over the growing traditions and religious pursuits of people to add unique or creative meaning to sacraments and rituals that seem to give meaning to millions who profess faith in Christ. It seems we need a lot of symbolism in our humanity to feel like we understand or are understood by an almighty God. From there we come up with all kinds of analogies and explanations to explain a “Triune God” that you could argue the scriptures never clearly define or reference simply. The “Trinity” is never mentioned specifically in scriptures, and yet many Christians have been excommunicated from churches over the “trinity” label. Most of this theology to me is established “philosophically” in order to even guess what the Trinity really is or means. The tendency is to just simplify accept via “faith” per OUR understanding of what the Bible says. In this, no two people will ever agree 100% regarding every doctrine, law, or concept of grace or mercy in complete harmony.
For me, it is sufficient simply to hold on to what I DO understand. We will not be judged for what we don’t. Thus, for so many believers who want to be dogmatic about what THEIR traditions teach and judge each other according to our own traditions…I challenge you to simply accept the diversity of Christ’ church without judging those you do not understand. There is a lot to understand AND discard in any manmade denomination or division. For me, the meaning of the “Body of Christ” has taken on a whole new dimension since I returned to faith via the scriptures AND a metaphysical spiritual experience not so easily described or defined. I no longer think MY experience can or should be the same as anyone else’s, and I will never fully understand your and anyone else’s conversion process to the truth. I can only trust that at the end of the road, we all end up at the same knowledge and understanding of God’s revealed truth and who He really is.
People are not just “souls to be saved”. People are to be related to, loved, and accepted for who and where they are. I now fully believe that without that mystical regeneration of the Holy Spirit of God that “reveals all truth”, one can never truly know or understand these things. We can have all the “Doctorates of Divinity” known to man, but that doesn’t mean we will “know God”. Likewise, there are many uneducated believers who simply believe “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). He was preaching this to the people who had rarely if ever studied theology or the “Torah”. It was many of these Christians who were put to death for the truth they knew…in the spirit, not by their reasoning or educations.
Whether you are a foul mouthed “savage” who believes, or a smooth tongued doctor of philosophy or theology who may not yet believe…I am not to be the one that judges your eternity. As my grandfather pastor used to continually remind me as a kid, we each must work out our own salvation in “fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)” scripture tells us. To that end, I don’t fear accepting you or your confession of faith while I must continue each day building my OWN faith…without demanding proofs that are beyond my understanding.
His ways and thoughts are far above our ways and thoughts. Humanity has NEVER understood or accepted God’s revelation in purity of understanding. Thus it is always a lifelong pursuit of further understanding and digging deeper into the MYSTERIES of God. Anyone who thinks they have ARRIVED in some unique understanding of the whole of God is simply deluding themselves…and others.
We must always show grace to each other when it comes to the “laws” of God.