Putting amazing back into grace – Part 1

Michael Horton begins his book with a call for Christians to go back to basics; to begin again to explore and fully understand the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I totally agree with his opening paragraphs regarding church culture.  A large proportion of what we would term evangelicals tend to settle for an ‘all surface, no substance’ Christianity.   We brush over the tough questions and are more interested in the latest Christian fad than wrestling with truth.

Horton emphasises the importance of good discipleship through knowledge of the scriptures. We should not just allow people to make a commitment and then leave them to it with the expectation that our job is now done and somehow miraculously they will immediately understand everything about scripture and have a fantastic Christian life with no troubles.  Horton states;

‘If now, more than ever, people have to become Christians intentionally, then the church is obligated to facilitate that growth.  Instead of bottle-feeding milk even to those who can handle solid food, the church’s ministry needs to prepare us for real life in the adult world.’

As Christians, we should continue to ask big questions, talk about doctrine and try to gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures.  We should always be searching for truth.  I know from experience that just mentioning the word ‘doctrine’ in many Christian circles turns people off, but Horton states that doctrine is not just for the ‘experts’ but for everyone.  He turns to the early church for an example;

‘In the apostolic church, according to Acts 2:42, average Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching” as well as to prayer and the Lord’s table.  Understanding doctrinal and theological issues was considered the responsibility of every Christian, not just a few select professionals.’

Another objection is that doctrine is divisive.  I think many of us have had first hand experience of this, but again Horton counters;

‘Truth always divides.  Even at the most basic question, the world is divided between those who affirm God’s existence and those who deny it [….] However Christian doctrine also unites.  How else could the early church hold together those who had come from a variety of ethnic, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. What united them was not a common culture, or a common political ideology, shared playlists on their iPod or common experiences, but a common creed.’

Finally, as we understand and seek out the message of the gospel, we will begin to understand the importance and meaning of grace.  As we continue through the book, Horton will begin to go deeper, but for now as we begin, it is important we remember this first and foremost;

‘Grace is the gospel.  The extent to which we are unclear about who does what in salvation is the degree to which we will obscure the gospel.  At a time when moralism, self-righteousness, and self-help religion dominate in much of evangelical preaching, publishing and broadcasting, we desperately need a return to this message of grace.  We need to emphasise again Paul’s inspired commentary “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16).

Caroline Evans