Sound-bite Theology

This snip from Twitter is case in point why sound-bite theology isn't the best way to teach.

*What does Law mean, and how does it apply in the situation he's thinking about?
*How is the Gospel costly? Who does it cost?
*What does churchy mean?
*What does preachy mean?
*What is Jesus judging ?
*What does religious mean?

Not all of God's Law applies to all people, in all situations, in all places throughout history. The believer is not under the Law for justification. Jesus fulfilled all of the Law's requirements for us and for our salvation. Now, out of gratitude for what He has done, we seek to live in accordance with His Law, but not for our standing with God.

The Gospel costs us ****nothing. The Gospel is the life, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for us. It is the Good News that all His righteousness is ours' and all our sin became His. There is no debt in the Gospel.

Churchy? I don't know what this means, but I would encourage every believer to be in a church that understands its true and primary function: to pronounce clearly, Law and Gospel week after week. Beyond that, embrace sound ecclesiology as demonstrated throughout the history of the church. For more on that, read the Reformers. We have a rich history and a rich tradition.

Preachy? A pastor who doesn't recognize his own sin, who blurs Law and Gospel, who looks down his nose using his own version of the law, or God's law unlawfully, who doesn't know the riches of God in Christ and never pronounces that, should GO HOME.

Jesus the Judge? Indeed, He is coming again to judge the living and the dead. Preach that. But remember, His mission statement was "to save His people from their sins". He is currently in the business of finding, wooing, and alluring His sheep. He is not coming at us with a rod. His most fierce pronouncements of judgment during his 33-year ministry on earth were toward the preachy and the judgey who had motes in their own eyes while straining at the speck in the others' and who put stumbling blocks in the way of others who desperately needed a Savior.

Religious? Refer back to my point on ecclesiology. It is immensely important to be a part of a sound church; one that faithfully preaches God's two words: Law and Gospel, that provides the sacraments rightly, that disciplines wisely and kindly. But a church whose religion overlooks and confuses these things should be avoided.

Bottom line: I would advise those I care for to avoid sound-bite theology. Get to a good church and learn of the riches of God in Christ for you.

Gospel blessings.

For more on these topics, use the Gospel Gal search engine. There is much to be found on soteriology (salvation), the Reformation, the Creeds, and the church.