The Preacher's Pen

Isn't it terrible that the devil has managed to turn God's grace into a subject that some find complex, difficult or even tedious? The overwhelming message of what God has done for all people in Christ at the cross ought to ring out as good news. Regrettably, due to false teaching, grace must now be carefully explained, qualified and discussed. Perhaps we shouldn't feel so bad about that. In what may be the earliest book of the New Testament Paul found himself defending the truth about grace, faith and works in Galatians. Other books in the New Testament are also filled with references to error on grace, with Jude's perhaps being the most famous: ""For certain men have crept in unnoticed . . . who turn the grace of our God into lewdness"" (Jude 1:4). Wrong thinking and teaching about grace may be almost as old as grace itself!

Knowing that such a subject has a long history of trouble and turmoil we must be even more resolute to turn to the Bible and see what it says first and foremost. Can I add here that in such study we must be determined to take the entire Bible into account? Luther wrote great things about faith, but refused to harmonize his theology with what James (an inspired man) wrote. Calvin wrote some wonderful material on God's sovereignty, but could not harmonize his thinking with much of scripture (like Ezekiel 18). Others have fallen into the same trap. Whatever we conclude about grace and law and faith from Romans must square with James and Hebrews and Leviticus and Malachi! Remember that as you study and as you listen to what others say on these vital subjects.

As a final note, how about a good book recommendation? If you would like to read more about this subject, particularly with an emphasis on refuting common false doctrines about grace, in my opinion you cannot do better than ""Neo-Calvinism in the Church of Christ."" It contains material from five lectures given at the Haltom City church to answer pervasive error, including the false distinction between Gospel and doctrine, wrong ideas about imputed righteousness, and the false dichotomy of faith versus works. Pat Farish's chapter on grace and law is quite simply brilliant. It is available from the Truth bookstore (800-428-0121) or the FC Bookstore (800-423-1648) for about $10. No, I don't make anything if you buy a copy but I refer to it time and again and have recommended it for years. That book probably won't make Oprah's monthly book club any time soon - but you will enjoy it.