So Mark, fundamentally, what do you believe? Part 2 of 5

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Um, me. A long, long time ago in a land far, far away. The Scout Motto is “Be Prepared”. I can remember we always had to carry around two hankies – just in case. Click to enlarge.

As a kid I was a Scout. Actually I was a puddle pirate (Sea Scout). I remember the pride of donning my fancy blue uniform and wearing a ridiculous white sailor cap. I loved it! It was absolutely fantastic! We patrolled the waters in sailboats and tied knots; we rigged tents and started fires; we played games and sang songs. Even now, as an adult, the Scout Motto is etched in my mind: “Be Prepared!”

In my last post I asked myself the question, “So Mark, fundamentally, what do you believe?” Why? Why would I bother? Well, because the Bible tells us to bother; to be able to defend what we believe; to “Be Prepared!”

For example 1 Peter 3:15 says:

“¹⁵ …but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always {being} ready to make a defence to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

I found the truths of the Virgin Birth quite easy to articulate. Right now I’m thinking of something a bit more complex: Substitutionary Atonement. If it’s complex why bother at all? Well because the Substitutionary Atonement of Christ forms part of the hope that is in me; and because, like all other fundamentals of the Christian faith, the Substitutionary Atonement of Christ is under attack.

He made Him who knew no sin {to be} sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Maybe a short definition first? If substitute means “in place of” and atone means “to make amends for” then Substitutionary Atonement is Jesus Christ’s act of dying in place of sinners. It’s clearly taught in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” and Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Who’d attack that? It seems so Protestant. Every read The Shack? I’m referring to it by way of an example of the teaching that has infiltrated the Church. This is a quote from page 119, “At that, Papa stopped her preparations and turned toward Mack. He could see a deep sadness in her eyes. ‘I am not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It is not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it’.”

Get that? “Sin is its own punishment.” In a widely publicized radio show the author, William P. Young, made further statements regarding his Biblically incorrect view of Substitutionary Atonement. But he’s not alone. Many are now teaching a Gospel message which removes sin from the equation, belittling the work of Christ on the cross and cheapening His sacrifice.

Here’s the thing: Without Substitutionary Atonement we have no hope. You see if Christ’s death on the cross wasn’t enough or if it wasn’t for our sins, then there’s still a debt to be paid, an amount owning, an outstanding balance. But because it was a penalty paid in place of me I know that it’s done; it’s finished; my soul is won.

1 Peter 2:24 says:

“²⁴ and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”

Ever wonder throughout history people have consistently demanded more human responsibility in God’s marvelous scheme of salvation?

• GotQuestions.org has some good answers on this subject. Click here to read the article.

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What doctrines can Christians disagree on and still stay brothers?

Holy Kiss (in terms of my Theology the use of this picture is strictly… tongue in cheek)

On Friday an acquaintance from work peered over my shoulder and scanned an email I was typing up (well, acquaintance is such a non committal word isn’t it? I guess we’re more than colleagues, I mean, we’ve been chatting about important stuff for years. Stuff like “America vs The World” and “Crossing the Rubicon”, “the Spanish Flu of 1918” and “ELO ratings”… and Jesus Christ).

Anyways, I was typing a letter to an elder in the church that I attend about our involvement with another church, assisting them with a ministry shortfall that they have. Basically I was expressing some concerns around doctrinal differences and whether or not that should impact our working relationship. I used lofty words like dispensational and covenantal, eschatology and soteriology (I know, I know, I’m such a faker).

Well, the guy isn’t a Christian, but he kind of wants to know a bit about every topic under the sun so he asked, “What is all that?”

Now I have a desire to live 1 Peter 3:15 on my shirt sleeve (and Peter was talking to an audience under far more pressure than I ever experience) and so the conversation got started.

“…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always {being} ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…”

We like to walk and talk so we went for a stroll to the café. About half an hour later I felt mentally exhausted, he was information overloaded and I don’t think anyone of us was any the wiser for the effort.

It was then that he reminded me of a joke I had received from my father a few weeks earlier: “I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!” “Why shouldn’t I?” he said. I said, “Well, there’s so much to live for!” He said, “Like what?” I said, “Well, are you religious or atheist?” He said, “Religious.” I said, “Me too! Are your Christian or Buddhist?” He said, “Christian.” I said, “Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, Me too! Are your Episcopalian or Baptist? He said, “Baptist!” I said, “Wow! Me too! Are your Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord? He said, Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too! Are your Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!” I said, “Die, heretic scum!” and pushed him off.”

:)

Thing is sometimes we take ourselves (by that I mean Christians) very seriously don’t we, and often for all the wrong reasons. That said, are there any real deal breakers? Well yes, take salvation for instance. Paul said to the church in Galatia:

“…if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Heavy words and a clear line in the proverbial sand.

I know I have plenty but what are your deal breakers?