Table Of Content

ISSUE 12.1- SPRING2005 1 Editorial CONTENTS Which Big Sto~: 1 Editorial The Da Vina Code or the Bible? 5 Legalism and itsAntidotes D0111i11icSmart G K. Chesterton once said that Magdalene asthe'consort' ofJesus. It 12TheImportanceofPublic when people stop believing is not my purpose in this editorial to Prayer in God, theydon'tbelievein go throughtheseandrefutethe\vrong nothing,theybelievein anything.One ideas. I would recommend an excel [an Glover example ofthis is surely Dan Brown's lentbookby theAmericanNewTesta novel The Da VinciCodewhichhassold mentscholar,DarellBock,Breaking the over 1.5 million copies in the UKand Da Vina Code:Answers tothe Questions 22HearingGod'sWords has been published in over forty lan Everyone'sAsking. ReviewArticleby guages.A fIlm ofthebookisto appear What I am concerned with here is in 2006 which will ensure continued the great opportunity and challenge CordonKenl1edy interest and ever greater public aware the publication of The Da T7ind Code ness.Thebookisagoodread;Ienjoyed has given us. It clearly has touched it on along trainjourney and bought many nerves: not least people's desire Brown's Angels and Demons to read for abigstory,agrandnarrativewhich 26 AnnAllenmeets on the returnjourneyThe vital issue, can make sense of our lives. The Da EricAlexander though,isthat in these daysofincreas Vinci Code purports to give that;sadly ing Biblical illiteracy many people are it is the \vrong one. But we have the going to get their ideas ofthe gospel great narrative:the story ofGod's lov 30GodisStillontheThrone from such abook,and, without neces ing purposes from creation to New sarily 'believing' it, are going to have Creation, a story which exposes evil BobFyall their perceptions subtly formed by and sin fearlessly and yet offers hope. what it says.That iswhy I want to say As preachers and teachers we have a somethingabout itin this editorial. God-given opportunity to do what 33Letterto my Congregation It is easy to see the appeal ofthe the book does badly and to expound book; the story is exciting, the char the greatest story ofall.Here,surely,is PeterDickson acters believable enough and the set an altar to an unknown God,and like tings vividly realised. It also appeals to Paulwe must proclaim the livingGod many contemporary fears and con who isthe Creator,who sent his Son 34BookReviews cerns. There is the dislike of mono to die and rise again and will one day lithic institutions; here it is the Ro judge the world through him, There manCatholic Church.It celebratesthe are sixthings Iwantto say: surge offemale povver and influence and in particular the place of Mary 2 THERUTHERFORDJOURNALOF CHURCHAND MINISTRY 1. We mustpreach the whole Bible, 2. We must teachwith passion and mately we have no gospel unless we givingdueweighttoeachpart. imagination. believe that in Jesus God has spoken - and helping people to see that it is Too muchorthodoxpreachingisdead finally,uniquelyandauthoritatively.We a coherent story. Indeed the opening ly dull and deliveredin the manner of need to emphasise equally that he be words ofthe Bible pose aquestion,'In someone reading train timetables.We came oneofusand isoneofusstill. thebeginningGodcreatedthe heavens have often been guilty ofrobbing the The uniqueness ofChrist is vitally and the earth' is the uncompromising gospel of its depths and resonances. important for another contemporary statement.Well,did he get itwrong? Is 'Greatisthe mystery'saysPaul;butwe debate: the one on penal substitution. thispresentworldwithsomuchbeau have often slid into a flat rationalism. This debate has been particularly ig tyand goodnessandalsosomuchugli Why did so many once flourishing nitedbythepublicationofSteveChal nessandevilthefinalword? Unless we churches in Europe and America sink ke's book, The Lost Message <ifJesus haveacleargraspofthe bigpictureand intoUnitarianism?Itwasbecausetheir (Zondervan2004).Chalkehasattacked theassurance ofanewheaven andnew faith degeneratedintosomethingsmall the doctrineofpenalsubstitutionasin earththenwe do nothaveagospel and enoughfor humanreason to cut down ducing bigotry and self-righteousness we can offer nothingbutplatitudes. to size.The great life-giving truths of and accusing those who believe and As we preach the Bible, book by the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Res preach such a doctrine asbeingjudg book,we needto fitpassagesintotheir urrection,thework ofthe Holy Spirit mentaland condemning.We need not evident context.This does not mean a and the substitutionary atonement by deny that such behaviour exists,but it summary ofthe Bible's plotline every which all other blessings come to us is not related to a true biblical under time we preach,but it does mean that did not fit into their neat theological standingofthecentralityofChristand we will anchor our preaching in the schemes. the cross. Indeed it is precisely when You will understand that I am not we grasp that Christandhisdeath and advocating a vague sloppy mysticism resurrection are the heart ofthe bib butfor an engagementwith the living lical story that we find a truly biblical wordwhichwarms the heartaswell as emphasis. God's anger with humani enlightensthe mind. ty's sin needs to be removed before We need to engage with imagina the new heaven and new earth can be tionthe variedliterarygenres ofScrip secured.Penal substitution tellsusthat ture, not least with the dominant one, the curse on creationwill be removed, narrative. Biblical narrative is more that the death ofChrist has exhausted than mere story but it is not less and that curse in our place and the resur we must examinesuch matters asplot, rectionisaguaranteethattherewill be characterisation and the flow of the anewcreation. storyline ifwe are going to present it Moreover, if Christ is simply the well.Wemust,in effect,livein thatsto prophet/teacher ofThe Da Vinci Code ry ourselves.This means that the Bible the Trinitarian basis ofour faith col ongoing history of salvation. To give must not simply be assumed but our lapses.The statement of Chalke that one example:Esther will come to life priorities and vision must be dictated penal substitution teaches that 'God whenwe compare the time references byit. broughtabout the violent death ofhis there to the Exodus story andfind the Son'makesitlookasifoneparty,God, implied question about whether the 3.Weneedtoproclaimtheuniqueness inflictedsufferingon anotherparty,his God ofthe Exodus isstillable to save ofChrist. Son. Rather, God the Father, God the hispeople.Whenwefurtherrealisethat TheDaVinciCodeclaimsthatthe divin Son and God the Holy Spirittogether behindthe scenesSatanisalsoworking ity ofJesuswascreatedandpropagated plan the salvation ofhumanityand the to prevent the coming ofthe Messiah for political reasons at the council of cosmos.Thisisthemessagewe needto by the destruction ofthe chosen peo Nicaea in 325.The assumption ofthe proclaim with increasing clarity and ple,we see thatan apparentlymarginal bookwasthathe wasindeedaremark conviction. bookispart ofthe great story and has able prophet, but that he was mortal much we need to learn. There is no and that he married Mary Magdalene 4.Weneedaninformedunderstanding partofthe Bible thatisnotvaluable,no and has physical descendents alive to oftheissuessurroundingthecanonof part which is not preachable, and we day.WeneedtopreachtheGospels and Scripture. need to commit ourselves once more show how thatJesus asLord isrooted The Da Vinci Code sees the canon of to thoroughpreachingand teaching. in the NewTestament and fulfillsthe the NewTestament (it has little to say Old Testament foreshadowings. Ulti- aboutthe OldTestament)aspartofthe ISSUE 12.1- SPRING2005 3 conspiracy ofNicaea which divinized for ministry need to know: they must 6.Weneedtorediscovereschatology Jesusandexcludedfrom the authorita have and keep on developing their Theproblemabout The Da T/inci Code tive Scriptures the 'authentic' Gospels. knowledge ofsystematic theology and isthat there isno realending;it isepi These works such as the 'Gospel of church history. They need to under sodic in the manner ofa soap opera Thomas',the 'Gospelofthe Hebrews', standthe worldwe livein anditsever and there is no satisfying conclusion. the 'Gospel ofMary' and so on come changing culture. But none of these It argues that sinceJesus was an ordi from the secondand thirdcenturiesaf things willinthemselves equipthemto nary man he may have descendants ter the NewTestamentbooks were al be effective ministers and give answers now alive but plainly he will not re ready acceptedasauthoritative.Indeed to the issues raised by The Da Vinci turn in glory to judge the living and we have a glimpse in 2 Peter 3: 16 of Code.We need pastors, teachers, evan the dead and usherin the new heaven the formation of authoritative apos gelists,youthworkers,studentworkers and the new earth. This is the crunch tolic texts wherePeterspeaks ofacol who are trained in and committed to point.Thereisabigstorythatneeds to lectionofPaul'sletters'whichignorant trainingothersin Bible ministry.Stud have aLastDay and thatDay does not and unstable people distort,asthey do ies ofpost-modernism,'doing church simply comeassomethingtaggedon at the otherScriptures'.By 180 Iranaeus, in the 21stcentury'andthelike cannot the endbutasthe climax to whichthe bishop ofLyons,spoke ofthe fourfold replace, and may even divert attention wholehasbeenmoving. GospelandcitedMatthew;Mark,Luke away from, this essential task ofhelp This iswhy I saywe need to redis and John, and like other early teach ing people to read and communicate cover eschatology and that notassim erssuch asClement ofAlexandria and the Bible. plysomethingtaggedon atthe end but Tertullianstandinthe line oftheApos Thereisadangerofretreatin evan the continual assurance that creation tlesasthey proclaimJesus astruly God gelical circles from this single-minded andhistoryaregoingsomewhere. andtrulyhuman. commitment to the proclamation of It is no accident that these reject Scripture which, if not checked, will ..- .........................., ................. l'llilil~lillilf.li';rlll'i·'· ed 'Gospels' destroy the big story by leave people totally unable to face the their failure to engage with the Old challenges from DaVinciorelsewhere. Testament.Thus their'Jesus'isnot the Those in ministry need to recommit promisedMessiah or comingKingbut themselves to afully Biblical emphasis a rootless and eccentric figure who is and to training others to do this.This not the centre ofGod's purposes but will mean being radical and sitting simply a remarkable teacher. In The loose to much ofwhat is regarded as Da T/inci Code Leigh Teabing explains denominational distinctives and a re to Sophie Neveu that it was in fact fusal to be overawed by the establish Constantine who suppressed the Gos ment. It will mean a commitment to pels about the 'human'Jesus and had a workingcloselywithallwhoshare the new Bible created.We need to preach vision and are committed to putting and teach the Old Testament along Word ministry at the heart of what with the New to show the full story they are doing. and true significance ofthe LordJesus It will mean good scholarship will illlllit:f!llil~lil~11].II.I. Christand how the whole Bible bears beplacedattheserviceofthe church.It witness to him. isessential that trainingisin the hands Ultimatelythequestionisnotabout of those who are not only scholarly the Bible but about God himself. Has butwhoare committedto makingthe ··:~ftlesJS~~lltQlll~lilmr;::j!jj;:::::::::::::::::.::::.::: God spoken and has he done so in a fruits of scholarship available to help waywhichcanleadustosavingknowl others to understand Scripture.Part of edge ofhim?The whole canon asthe the confusion caused by The Da Vinci written Word ofGod gives a faithful Codeisthatsomuchofwhatissaidap With the coming ofChrist we are and complete witness to Jesus Christ, pears to have a scholarly base,such as in the last days. He is the fulfillment the livingWord. the matters I mentionedalready about ofthe OldTestament and in him all the CouncilofNicaeaandthe Canon. the purposes ofGod centre. He isthe 5. We needtoput these emphases at Goodbiblical teachingwill lead to in Christ who became one of us, died the heart ofour training ofthe next formedandarticulatefaithand togood and rose again,sent the Spiritand will generation ofpreachers, teachers and apologetics. return to complete the great work of otherleaders. new creation.It isthat Christwe need There are many things those training topreachandcallpeopleto repentance andfaith. 4 THERUTHERFORDJOURNALOF CHURCHAND MINISTRY EDITORIALCONTINUED To proclaim this great story effec tivelywill requirefrom usnotlessthan everything. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we do it all.We need to recognize that we have a huge task offilling the country with our teach ing,and workingto seegospel-centred churches established. If The Da Vinci Code has given a further impetus in this directionwe can only be thankful. Butwe shouldnotneedthatto give us renewed vision; rather we need to re new our commitment to the Lord, to the gospel and to passing on the faith to cominggenerations. ISSUE 12.1- SPRING2005 5 alism and Le its tidotes Dominic Smart, Aberdeen Deliverance is a wondetfulthing. When a pride. Nobody is delivered into that. isa narrow path compared to the one Christian is delivered[rom an oppressive Christian freedom isn't freedom to do that leads to destruction. So in order burden that hasweighed him orherdown whatever you want: down here none to avoid big sinswe add rules to God's .foryears, thenit'sespecially wondetfui.For ofusissafeto be let loose withsuch a word- hedgingsinful territoryaround suchdeliverance brings release into thejoy freedom; up there - well, we'll be dif withcodes that areintendedto keep us C!f the Lord.There's a sin which takes a ferentthen! from it.Itisthe well-intentioned,keen peculiarly Christian[orm in churches. It is Legalism is primarily a God-ward andconunittedwhoare mostproneto burdensome, lethallyplausible and, tragi thing. It's a way ofmaking and keep it.The half-hearted Christian couldn't cally, it'sr[fe. It wouldbeoneC!fnlYgreat ing yourselfacceptable to God. From really care enough to veer towards le estdelights !fthrough HlY years ofministry this flows the legalism that is directed galism (though he or she makes up for believers and.fellowships are delivered.P'OHl towards oneanother.It'saway ofscor it with many other errors). It was the ittothegloryC!fGod.It:(j legalism, ing sanctity points in our fellowships, scribes, following good Ezra, who de and exerting what one postmodernist veloped'the traditions ofmen' which WHAT IS LEGAliSM? calleda'truthregime'- it'saboutpride, peoplepreferredto thewordofGod: a power and control. It simultaneously preferencethatJesus blastedin Mark7. I t'sasin.Italwayshasbeenandalways glorifiesmanand'unsecures'man.Thus But all this focuses the mind on will be.Likeallsinsit causesothers itstrue oppositesaregraceandfaith. self.It takes the mind and heart away to suffer. So some ofyou reading Yet it is so plausible.The need for from Christ, the Proper Man. It takes this mightbe moresinnedagainst than order, structures and boundaries feeds our faith away from his sufficiency sinning: only you will know that. The our quest for control. Ourvery ability and misplaces it upon ours.We live to indicators,sadly,will be guilt, pain and to keep somerules feedsourprideand achieve hisapproval;we forget thatwe an inferiority complexthatyou some gives us the impression that our rela arealready aliveand acceptedin Christ. howcan'tquitebelieve. tionshipwith Godissomehowfound Eversoplausibly we aresoldadifferent Legalism isn't a matter of having ed upon this ability. But in the same gospel: one that isn't really a gospel at rules, structures, limits or instructions way,our inability to keep others feeds all.And the desire not to sin in some in our congregations or individual our despair, which in turn generates big way can be little more than amask lives.While they can be overdone,and morerules andamorestrenuous effort to hide ourlack offaith inJesus,'who often are by people ofa certain tem to keep them,Since lawsand rules can hasbecomefor uswisdomfrom God perament,they are necessary for godly be helpful,legalism seems to be on to that is,our righteousness, holiness and orderin any fellowship: Godhasgiven awinner. redemption'. (1Cor. 1:30). Holiness is many to us in the Scriptures.The op It often arises out of a good mo notamatterofliving on eggshellswith posite oflegalismisn't lawlessness (an tive: to be holy.We don't want sin to a Godwho isreservingjudgement on tinomianism, as some like to call it), rule over us,we don't want to grieve usand might turn usawayat any mo which is nothing more than anarchic God or to stray from his path.And it ment. 6 THERUTHERFORDJOURNALOF CHURCHAND MINISTRY You'd never run to It really is a deadly false thing, this I've had any contact with have been warpedalternative,thislie,thisall-per more or less negative, down on fun vasiveandhideousdistortionofChris a legalist with your andnarrow- you reallywantto sayto tian living - for at least eight reasons these folk, 'Get a life'. God's creation that I can think of.The biblical anti isn't to be enjoyed;much ofit isto be moral failure, break dotes will follow avoided, or else it'sseen asa light dis tractionfrom thereallyseriousmatters down, temptation or 1. legalism cannot deal with sin. It is of so-called theology. Music, theatre, utterlypowerless todealwithitinnon cinema,art - are allprobablysinful,so Christians and Christians alike. Law depression, unless best avoid them. Nature is only useful never reaches the well-spring of the asfarasit hasto do with the creation/ heart;atbestitmerelycurbsthebehav evolution debate. Literature has to be you're a masochist iouroftheflesh.Itneverchanges aper endured ifyou really must do English son'snature- it mightpersuadeaman atuniversity.(Andifyouchooseto,you orwomanofthe needto change,butit place aquestion-markoveryourfaith.) cannot effect the change. It will never Culture is what you separate yourself rob sin of the capacity to beset you. 3. It sends us in entirely the wrong from in caseit stainsyou. Admittedly, More,itisuselessagainstthe tempt directions as we progress through sexwas designedby Godbutits exist er. No law ever defeated him, robbed life. The mindset oflegalism has four ence isprobably best denied by us on him ofhis strength,plundered his do great products. Despair - you cannot account ofits dirtiness, apart from the main, released his captives, broke his keep the rules,andsoyourself-esteem necessities of reproduction. (Though back. Law never cast him out, never plummets and your assurance of the secretly... ) Intelligence and wit are rebuked him, never bound the strong Father's love evaporates from under frownedupon (outofenvy).Joyisonly man. It took God the Son, the cross yourfeet.Pride- you cankeep someof asenseofreliefthat you'vegot the reli andan emptygrave to do these things. the rules,and soyou do thinkthatyou gious taskdone. Asfor holidays! Yet more, laws and rules can never can keep yourselfin the Father's good Butthenarrownessgetsmuchworse yield forgiveness: They are the very books and.so your assurance becomes - sinners aren't to be loved, they're to written (orspoken,orinsomechurch groundedon self'sperformance- per be evangelisedandbeyondthatavoid essubtly unspoken) codethataperson formance relatedpay.Judgemental-ism ed lest they stain you too. Ifyou can't breaks.Breakitatonepoint- only one - you constantly assess people accord haveevangelistic contact,bettertohave - and you've brokenit asawhole.No ing to the rules and are quick to look aslittle aspossible. People, in all their law can cancel the code. No law can down on others on the basis ofyour complexity and contradictions, aren't declare forgiveness; it can only declare negative assessment.Control- the de to be understood with compassion offence,guilt and condemnation.With sire to have people tow the line and - they are to be told what to do - the respect to sin'spower,authorandpen conformto the regime- nowadays it's objects notoflove,butofexpectations. alty,legalismisutterlypowerless. called spiritual abuse. Legalism never Boring: seriously and sinfully boring. produces gracious and expansive souls, Boring in a way that diminishes the 2. Legalismcannotbringus closerto growingricherin compassionandwis richness ofhumanitywhichismadeto God - precisely becauseit cannot deal domasthe yearsgoby.You'd neverrun the glory ofa never-boring, endlessly withoursinandclearthe obstaclesthat to a legalist with your moral failure, creative and staggeringly imaginative sinthrows upbetweenusandhim. Our breakdown, temptation or depression, God. legalisticfellowships only multiplyrea unlessyou'reamasochist. s. sonsfornotascendingthe hillofGod Legalism encourages, even pro in themwe are constantly constrained 4. It's narrow-minded and sinfully tects hypocrisy How?Well, it pro to cry 'Unclean hands, impure heart!' boring. Underthe guise ofbeingholy vides masks for us to wear at church. And because the keeping ofthe rules legalism makes the narrow path nar We can wear the mask by keeping a becomes the ground for acceptability rowerthan God hasmadeit.No non sufficientnumberofthe rules.You can with Godandthe means ofaccessand Christian is going to turn from a life look like a 'good' (i.e. conforming) approachtoGod,westayawayfrom the ofhappiness and apparent freedom to Christian,while underneath you're an Saviourwhosehands were clean for us, arestrictive,trussedup,dull andjoyless entirely differentperson.Beautifulbut whose heartwaspure for us,andwho life.It carries none ofthe naturalwin rare is the fellowship where the really hasalreadyascendedthe hillofGodfor someness thatJesus had in hisministry. importantthings aregaugedasquickly, us.Legalismkeeps Christiansandnon Most ofthe legalistic fellowships, or seriously and with the same discern Christiansalikeawayfrom God. ganisations, groups or individuals that ment asthe obvious,visible things.As ISSUE 12.1- SPRING2005 7 Who needs a great long asyou keep up the appearances, fore rule 48,para. 13,subsection d,are defined as they are by the legalities, obviouslynotwalkingwiththe Lord. high priest who is able you can be a cruel husband, a tyran Butmorethanmakingusdamaging nical mother,alousy employee,aper ly constrictive or ridiculously pedan to sympathise with us vert, the list goes on. Or you can just tic, legalism trivialises life at a deeper be hard-hearted, bitter,jealous, spite level.Itshiftsthe focus ofourattention in all our weaknesses, ful,aslong asyou smile the right way onto something other than God him andlookrightandturn up at the right self.And since he is the highest, best when we can with a things.Butsincelegalismisessentiallya and true focus ofall his creation and God-ward problem,the hypocrisy has especially his redeemed, it means that few adept strokes of a deeper and more pernicious dimen ourfocusisshifted ontosomethingless sion: we act with God.We needn't, of than its true ground. Ourmotives and acting make ourselves course. He knows all that there is to preoccupations change - no longer is know, accepts us in Christ, and is re ourchiefendto glorify Godand enjoy sound strong? solved to present usperfect before his himforever;insteadwe dostuffforap throne at the last.But it is one ofthe proval from the controllers. But com weaknesses of the legalist mind-set pared to God, the controllers and the that it thinks that we must come to peat of'Shout to the Lord'? Legalism devil who liesbehindthe legalism,are God strong - and we define strength; canintroducelayersofconductthatfix trivial.Legalismalwaysreduces life.The that we must come to him not need our attention on things that the Bible reduced life missesthe point,which is ing help and we define the limits of rates as relatively unimportant if not to find joy in life-with-God: serving, helplessness. Who needs a great high downright trivial. It trips us up with worshipping (two sides of the same priest who is able to sympathise with mincing pedantries, when we should coin), resting in, growing in, learning usin allourweaknesses,whenwe can be running and dancing with joy in from,lovingand findinggladsufficien withafewadeptstrokesofactingmake God. cyand fullestsatisfaction in God. ourselves sound strong? Who needs a The problembecomes acutein our ProperManwhenwe can do thepro fellowships whenwe equatebeingpe 7. Legalism produces a false gospel; scribedlifewell enoughourselves.The dantic with being godly.By doing so one that is, asthe Scriptures say, no mask-wearing stops us from coming we make such so-called godliness an gospel at all. Why isit a falsegospel to God in dependence upon him and impossibility for those with a more thatlegalismpresents and makes uslive it prevents us from ever really dealing laid-back temperament. Don't get me by?Because by it we seek to be justi withthe things thatthe maskhides- or wrong: it's not that being laid back is fied on the basisoflaw,not faith.And allowingGodto dealwiththem.Does inherentlyvirtuous,any morethanbe whateverourpride,or the devil,or the the legalistfeellovedinhisbrokenness? ingrule-dominatedisinherentlyvirtu fellowship might tell us,we will never Isshe ever healedfrom the inner,hid ous. It'swhen a fellowship isset up,in accomplish what we seek. It's no gos den cripplinginjuriesofsin?Tragically, terms ofits psychology and values, to pel becauseit'sbad news.Itamountsto not. portray godliness as something that's 'Do these things andyou shalllive;but goingto be unattainable by somesim by the way,you'll never be able to do 6. There's an irony about the sixth ply because oftheir God-given tem them'. Now the setting ofthe teach distortion. While on the surface le perament and personality, or by virtue ing in Galatians is that a false gospel galism is deadly serious and is often oftheir biblical sense.There has to be that relates to justification relates also a problem that arises precisely when an expansiveness in our Churches, to sanctification.Paul writes to Chris individual Christians and fellowships among the formal and (perhaps more tians,not seekers. Legalistshave cut in or organisations are taking the call to importantly) informal tone-setters, onbelievers;they havebeenbewitched, holiness and commitment seriously, it that gives breathing space and elbow duped,deceivedintoanotherprinciple endsuptrivialisinglifewithGod.Itfills roomto those whoseCreatorhasmade by which to live with God. Not only life with rules that govern non-essen to be 'laid back'. We can't force the does legalism produce a false gospel tials.Doesitreallymatterifyourhairis Lord's children into clothes that just message,bywhichsinners are called to longerthanthe fellowship regulations? don't fit.The expansiveness comes, of savethemselves by agoodwork called Isthat hat reallyvirtuous (orsinful,de course,from love.And there has to be repentance,butitthencouchesthe rest pending on your fellowship and the a right-mindedness that allows people ofthe Christian life in terms ofmore hat!)?IsGodactually thatbotheredby notto sufferfoolsgladlywithoutbeing works.Asifwewere saved(present and jeans? What ifyou just don't feel like labelled as rebellious subversives who, future) by goodworks, rather than for lifting up your hands on the third re- sincethey don'tfalldownwithawebe- goodworks.Thegroundfor oursecu- 8 THERUTHERFORDJOURNALOF CHURCHAND MINISTRY rity thus shifts from Christ - his fin lifeless.No wonder the legalist's soul goes unchallenged,unmolested,strong. ishedworkfor usandhisever-livingto never soars with praise. No wonder That's why some ofthe most legalistic intercede for us- to our good works. heaven never rings to the songs ofthe people can be the worst, harbouring We are saved to serve - but not only legalist'sheart. really wicked attitudes and practices. to serve,and even the service is to be Godisrobbedofglory.In thisisle It's why you can strain at a gnat and given in a certainway:resting by faith galism's most hideous sin. And from swallow acamel. It'swhyyou can have in Christ theperfectservant, andwith this is God's most glorious and won awhitewashedsepulchre. joy.Paul reserves some ofhis strongest derful deliverance. Antidotes are mar What but the truth of God can and least delicate language for people vellouswhenthey work.Thediseaseof penetrate the heart, expose pit ofsin who do this in churches - read Gala legalism, to which the church has al fulness, lay bare the nature as sinful, tians 5:11-12 to see what Paul wishes waysbeenproneandwhichinfects fel reveal the truth about us and our sin? the circumcision teachers would go lowships, movements, individuals and Whatbutthe powerofGodcan break the whole way and do to themselves! families,isunpleasantand even deadly. the powerofsin?Whatbutthe victory Shocking! Butlegalismisnotwithoutitsantidotes, ofChrist can free usfrom our captiv and saints are not without their cure. ity to sin?Whatbutthe lifeofGodcan 8. Legalism robs God. This is the Theproblemisuglyand the worldthat overcome the deadliness ofsin?Shake worstaspect ofit,and the sumtotal of it creates is dark; but the antidotes are a rule-book at sin and Satan laughs in the previous seven. It is legalism's sin. gloriousandlightandwonderful.They derision.Legalismshouldquake before It is this that makes it more thanjust arenotto be hurriedover. the biblical teachingaboutsin.Godin aproblemfrom whichsomepersonal his grace has given us the truth about ity typessuffer.God,in hismajesty and sinand itshouldbe enoughto drive us How infinite glory,is glorified by our faith. CAN WE DEAL notto therule-book,butto Christ. By faith we sayto himthatwe are in sufficientandthathe aloneissufficient WITH LEGALISM? Second, the holiness of God. Legal to saveandto keep us.Legalisminverts ism can't touch sin;neither can it an the biblicalorderofcovenant,justifica Thefirst seemsthe least likely- par swer the holiness ofGod. I keep the tionandlaw;Legalism robs Godofthe ticularly to alegalist: agreater view house rules about clothing,what I can glorythatisdue to hisname, the glory of sin. The legalistic mind has too or can't do on the Lord's day,cinema, ofthe gospel ofhis redeeming grace smallaviewofsin.It thinks thatit can music, wine, attendances, witnessing, in Christ, the glory ofhis tender and deal with sin with a few rules (more whatever; but maybe I don't love my mercifullypatientperseverancewithus thanafew,ifthey seem to be required: neighbour as myself. So God, in all andthegloryofthe Spirit's sanctifying there's no shortage).Butthese rulesare the infinite splendour ofhis holiness, power. By legalities we rob God ofhis never going to deal with sin.There's whocannotlookuponsin,whodwells glory and place it upon ourselves.We nothingquitelikean understandingof in perfect light, who sees to the very assumeapowerto saveand to keep;we the depths ofthe impactandpowerof depths of my soul and who knows usurptheSpirit's office;andwe create a sin to awaken aChristian to hisorher every thought and word,thinks what? lifethat cannotfeelthejoyofthefree inabilityto dealwithitthemselves.But DoIfondly imaginethatheweighs the domofthe children ofGod. Nowon itwasthe classicmistake ofthe Scribes 'good'bitswhichmy rule-keepinghas der theworship isso mind-bogglingly andPharisees.Reducerighteousnessto provided against my bad,bits?And as a technicality (getting the paperwork he watches the scale tip down on the right) andyou do the same withwhat good side he declares me to be right it'ssetagainst:sinbecomesasuperficial eous in hissight? Isthathowit works? No wonder the le- problem,with no root in the heart. If We know that it isnot so,but the le it'sallamatterofthe details ofbehav galist functions asifit were.This 'un galist's soul never iour,thenyoucansolveityourselfwith holiness' ofGod - him being satisfied afew (hundred) rules. It'slike taking a with a few ticks on our list;him be soars with praise. No paracetamolfor cancer. ing justabiggerversion ofusand not But see what happens when you actually God- gives credibility to the wonder heaven never superficial-ize sin: you ignore its real effectiveness of the legalised life. But corrupting power within and you ac get oneglimpse ofthe holiness ofGod, tually endupprotectingit.Yougiveita onetiny,briefglimpse,and any notion rings to the songs of safeanduntouchedhaven in theheart. of personal adequacy shrivels, with Thestormsoflawcanrageon the out ered andscorchedby the holiness that the legalist's heart side,while the sinfulness ofthe heart threatened to break out upon Israel ISSUE 12.1- SPRING2005 9 at Sinai. See Isaiah in theTemple, the ingits delight over the laughing child; be alive. It never was, and never can hosts ofheaven in Revelation,and ask like a great swell ofsanity and peace; be rule-keeping. Not even God's law yourselfwhethersuch afeeble thingas like a resting, satisfied calm ofperfect couldbringlife- itwasonly evergiven ourlegalistic righteousness couldlasta contentment.Ifoneglimpse ofthe ho asaschoolmasterto lead usto the one momentbeforesuchaGod.Heisgreat liness ofGod can cure us ofour self who alone can give life.Ofourselves, andterriblein hisholiness. Heisto be trust, shouldn'tit be that one moment we had no vitality for God to work fearedandtrusted,notnegotiatedwith. in the world of grace should forever uponwith ourco-operation.Onlythe The holiness ofGodshould crush any ruin us for the world oflaw? Doesn't life ofGodin the soul ofman will do. confidence in the legalistic life.It's no even the sound of the word in your Butthemistake ofthe legalisticmindis way to livewithourGod. heartsilence the legalisticwhispers,the to restrictthe givingoflifeto ournew I've known some legalists in my proscriptivecommandandcontrol,the birth. The doctrine of regeneration time, and the one thing that hasnever sombredisapprovalsofthe accountants mightfocus on that,butthe lifewe are struckme aboutthemisthatthey real ofrighteousness?Whathopehaslegal given isonly and isfor ever God's life. lyknowGodin the waythatbringssi ism'swhine before the boomingglory We aren't jump-started by the Spirit lenceandawestruck reverence. Except ofthe grace ofGod? and then left to ourselves to carry on those for whom the legalism is driven Doesn't it make you want to read the whole enterprise. Christisourlife byfear-without-trust;whohavecaught Hebrews to the Pharisees (and to the (Col. 3:4). It's the difference between a glimpse ofGod's great and terrible Pharisee within) and say"Come, see jump-startingastoppedheartand get holiness buthavebeendrivenon to try the mountainthatyou reallydoliveon, ting ahearttransplant. and meet it with more rule keeping. for'You have not come to amountain Yet what a burden is placed upon Reverenceisthere,butsoisthe wrong thatcanbe touchedand that isburning believers when the Christian life is sort offear:fearwithouttrust. withfire;to darkness,gloomandstorm; presented as the task ofkeeping one to a trumpet blast or to such a voice self alive by keeping the house rules. Thecuresneedtoworktogether.So speaking words that those who heard (Ofcourse,the'house'canbe the most to the third cure - Grace.Grace to itbeggedthatno furtherwordbe spo stodgilyconservativeevangelical orthe save the sinner and grace to keep the ken to them, because they could not most zapped charismatic - the rules sinner saved. Grace to make us holy bearwhatwascommanded:'Ifeven an will be different, butthe mentalityand and grace to bring us to glory. And animal touches the mountain, it must the burdenareexactly the same.)What evenasIwritethe wordthe sun comes be stoned.'The sight was so terrifying glorious liberty can be enjoyed when outinmysoul.(Writingaboutlegalism that Moses said,'I am trembling with we rest by faith in the truth that our isreallyhardwriting.Itmakes me real fear.''But you have come to Mount lifeisin factthe lifeofthe risen Christ, isehowall-permeatinglegalism'ssmog Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the mediated to us by the Spirit. Can we is - it becomes the air that some fel city ofthe living God.You have come addto Christ'slifebyeitherdressingup lowships and Christiansbreathe,it gets to thousands upon thousands ofangels (or dressing down) for church? Is the in the clothes and the furniture, stains in joyful assembly, to the church of life ofthe Son ofGod deficient so as the decor,sitsin the lungs,clouds every the firstborn, whose names are writ to cause usa deficit in ourlife,a defi horizon.) ten in heaven.You have come to God, cit that can only be made up bysaying I want to look at some ofthe ma the judge ofall men, to the spirits of (or not saying)'Praise the Lord'at the jestically glorious ways ofGod's grace righteous men made perfect, to Jesus right time?What on earth does legal shortly- howhisgrace cureslegalism's the mediatorofanewcovenant,and to ismhopeto add to the resurrectionlife diseaseaswe are grasped by the truth: thesprinkledbloodthatspeaksabetter ofGod? the Spirit's gracious regenerating act, wordthanthe bloodofAbel.'''? Christ's act of grace in justifying us Not even God's law from allsin,the gracious work ofGod Fourth, regeneration - the giving in sanctifying usand whatit means to by the Spirit ofthe principal oflife to could bring life - it be in Christ. I also want to highlight those who were dead in their trans those cures that come from the Lord gressions and sins - is a wonderfully was only ever given ship ofChrist,whichisperfectlyliber humbling cure. A greater view ofsin ating;andaskthe questionagain about should convince usofourneed ofthe as a schoolmaster to whosegloryIlivefor. work ofGod alone to free us from its Butfornowit'sgrace feltthatIhave captivity.Ourstruggles are futile - we lead us to the one who in mind- like the warmth ofthe life are notspiritualHoudinis.Nowhereis giving sun; like the sparkling exhila this moreclear than whenwe consider alone cangive life ration ofthe vast ocean, wave-break- what makes usalive- and continue to 10 THERUTHERFORDJOURNALOF CHURCHA1\l)MINISTRY Howto apply this cure?'Since,then, Sixth, what God has begun in re same ear; or Norbert over there who you have been raised with Christ, set generation and justification, he doesn'talwaysseemjoyfullyvictorious your hearts on things above, where completes in our sanctification.And in his Christianwalk and didn't go on Christ is seated at the right hand of here the legalist has his or her firmest a mission this summer;or Ralph who God. Set your minds on things above, foothold. Here ourco-operationisvi smokes apipe. Since holiness isbigger notonearthlythings.Foryou died,and tal-we are involvedin ourincreasing than ourlocal boundaries can encom yourlifeisnowhiddenwith Christin Christ-likeness.We worship him with pass,hisworkofsanctificationenlarges God.'(Col. 3:1-3) our renewed wills by surrendering thehorizons ofthe heart:legalismnar themto hiswill. Wearein theposition rows them. Fifth, the inward work of God's ofbeingholybecausewe arein Christ, gracein regeneration is matched by who isourrighteousness,holiness and TheironiesofGodgrowdeeperbythe his 'external' act of justification. It redemption (1 Cor. 1:30), butwe still day.Theseventh antidote tolegalism happens quite without our help. We don't practice holiness - well, not for isthe LordshipofChrist.'What?"lsn't do not contribute to it at all.However long! Sohowaboutabunchofrules to that just authoritarianism writ large muchourfleshmightwantto havethe help usand Godalong abit? Well, it - rules and do this and bossing about satisfaction ofdoingsomethingtojus certainly seems like a reasonable idea, tifyitself,andhowevermuch ourview andit certainlyseems awholelot bet So we question the of the conversion experience might ter than not bothering about holiness make us emphasise the importance of - which iswhat every legalist suspects ourdecision,justificationissomething thisarticleofmineisencouraging! sanctity ofLuther be- done by God for us but without our But to resort to our rule-books in aid. It is a declaration by God, on the order to help God along is,asPaul al basisofthecross,thatwe areclear ofall most put it, to 'lose the head'.'There cause he enjoyed beer! thecharges andcondemnationthatthe fore do not let anyone judge you by law could impose upon us. It is done what you eat or drink, or with regard once and for all - no accusation will to a religious festival, a New Moon Or Calvin because ever separate me from God! All the celebration or aSabbathday.Theseare sins that I will yet commit were car a shadow of the things that were to riedthenonthecross.Itisdonebythe come;the reality,however,isfound in he played bowls on a Father through the blood ofthe Son. Christ. Donotletanyonewhodelights Putnegatively,it means thatyourguilt infalsehumilityandthe worshipofan Sunday and condemnation are gone (Rom. 8: gels disqualify you for the prize. Such 1). Put positively, you are restored to a person goes into great detail about your proper family relation with God what he has seen, and his unspiritual andallits manyblessings- peacewith mind puffs him up with idle notions. and style being cramped and where's God (Rom. 5:1);salvationfrom death Hehaslost connectionwiththeHead, myindividualitynow?'Panicnot! (Rom. 5: 9-10); receiving the Spirit from whomthewholebody,supported Consider these medicinal words, (Gal.3:1ff.);adoption/sonship,(Gal.4: andheld togetherby its ligaments and balm to the oppressed soul, from the 4-6);the inheritance,which is eternal sinews,grows asGodcausesit to grow.' WestminsterConfessionofFaith:'God life (Tit.3:7). (Col.2:16-19)Yourholinessissourced alone is Lord of the conscience, and IfI can mix the theological terms a in the Holy One.The freedom which hathleft it free from the doctrines and bityou haveacoveringfrom the terrors thatbrings usisfrom a holiness thatis commandments ofmen,which are,in ofthe law - the covering ofChrist's sourced in a largely social setting.The anything,contraryto HisWord,or be blood.Why live asifit were too small problemwithlegalism isthatit defines side it, in matters offaith or worship. a covering?Why stitch onto it a few our holiness with reference to stand So that to believe such doctrines, or rags ofyour own righteousness?Why ards ofconduct set within aparticular to obey such commands out ofcon do we do this in our churches? Mad! social group.We lose sight ofthat too science,isto betraytruelibertyofcon And also ungrateful:isn't it a bit ofan easily,endingup withanotionofholi science:andtherequiringofanimplicit insultto Christ?Anddoesn'tit callinto nessthatisearth-boundandparochial. faith, andan absolute andblindobedi question the Father's declaration?The So we question the sanctity ofLuther ence,isto destroy libertyofconscience, legalistlivesasifGodweretoolenient! because he enjoyed beer! Or Calvin and reason also' (Chapter 20).To bind Christ'sworkisenoughfor the Father because he played bowls on a Sunday; the conscience to Christ is to liberate to declare you asbeingjustifiedin his or Gertrude over there becauseshe let itfromthetyrannyofman- andofthe sight.Whatan antidote to the spiritual her daughterwear two earrings in the devil.The historical legalism that the insecuritythatlegalismcreates!