This thing called Christianity - it’s not about you!

In a really old issue of Issues, Etc. Journal (Fall 1998 - Vol. 3 No. 2) the author, Don Matzat, says he often challenges callers to his radio show to:

… share their testimony without ever talking about themselves. I have developed the pet phrase, “This thing called Christianity – it’s not about you!”

He contrasts the “theology of glory” with the “theology of the cross”.

The Place of the Gospel
The Protestant theology of glory begins with a one-time trip to the Cross of Jesus Christ. The preaching of human sin and divine grace is only directed at the unbeliever in order to “get him saved.” The person who gets saved can sing, “At the Cross, at the Cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my sin rolled away . . . and now I am happy all the day.”
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The theology of the Cross is quite different. The preaching of sin and grace or Law and Gospel is not only intended to convert the unbelieving sinner but is intended to produce sanctification in the Christian. The preaching of the Law continues to convict the Christian of sin, leading to contrition, and the Gospel continues to produce faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

My spiritual roots are in the theology of glory. Make a trip to the alter - now you are saved. Life is hunky-dory. And if you find that you are not measuring up to the standards of the holy life - the problem is you - you must not be praying enough, you must not be living in the spirit, you , you, you.

Sanctification
A theology of glory separates the Christian life from the Gospel. Once you are saved you are given a list of do’s and don’ts. More often than not, these are “evangelical house rules.” If you continue to break the rules or backslide, the solution is the rededication of your life to God or, in some cases, the emotional determination to keep your promises. You wouldn’t go back to the Cross again because you already did that when you got saved. Rather, you rededicate your life, because “once saved, is always saved.”

The theology of the Cross never gets you past the Cross. The preaching of the Law is not intended to provide you with a list of do’s and don’ts. Rather the preaching of the Law is intended to drive you back to the Cross through the hearing of the Gospel. As a result of the Gospel, your faith is strengthened. Out of faith, the good works defining the Christian life are produced.

How great it is to hear the the Law & Gospel preached every Sunday - and not because there might be an unbeliever present who might get saved but because believers are present - so that we can see our need for grace and grow in sanctification.

Holiness
A theology of glory produces people who think they are better than other people. “Getting saved” moves you to a higher level. You are now a better person, a step above those who are not saved. You can think of yourself as a part of the “moral majority” as opposed to the “immoral minority.” You share your testimony so that other people will get saved and be a good person just like you are.
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The Pentecostals (and Charismatics) add another step on the ladder of holiness. They promote a baptism in the Spirit with speaking in tongues which gives you spiritual power that you didn’t have before. Former Southern Baptist pastor Charles Simpson said, “Before I got baptized in the Spirit I almost wore out my rededicator.” In other words, now that he has received power, unlike other Baptists, he no longer has to rededicate his life.
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Living in a theology of the Cross never makes you any “better” than anyone else. Every day in every way you are not getting better and better. In fact, the preaching of Law and Gospel will not lead you to an awareness of your holiness, but rather to greater awareness of the depth of your sin. As a result, you will develop an ever-increasing faith in and appreciation for the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Did you catch that last paragraph?

Every day in every way you are not getting better and better. In fact, the preaching of Law and Gospel will not lead you to an awareness of your holiness, but rather to greater awareness of the depth of your sin.

I immediately thought of the saying “The more I learn the less I know”. Some people will be uncomfortable with the statement - “you are not getting better and better” - but really - I was saved at age 17 - I only had 2 major temptations/problems at the time - getting married solved one of them. Now I am 45 29 and wish I only had those two problems/temptations.

This is the joy of the Reformed Christian’s life. To be able to trust my Savior for my salvation because I know it is nothing in me or by me that got me saved. My salvation is only dependent of God’s faithfulness, and I have a whole Bible that testifies to the dependability of that!

The Reformation theology that characterizes both Lutheranism and traditional Calvinism is a theology of the Cross. There is no doubt that the theology of glory appeals to natural man. It is a theology of Adam. It is self-focused. It defines “popular Christianity.” The reality is, it is not biblical Christianity.

Originally spotted at Boar’s Head Tavern