I appreciated these comments from Patrick Schreiner's review of Tullian Tchividjian's book, Jesus + Nothing = Everything:
"Sometimes I feel as if it takes the teeth out of the imperatives in the Bible. Yes, I agree that the imperatives are fueled by the indicatives. Yes, I agree that if we give imperatives without grace they will never take root. Yes, I agree that we are saved not by what we do, but by Jesus alone.
However…there are roughly 550 imperatives in the Epistles, and therefore it is right and good for our pastors to give imperatives, and us not scream legalism. Tchividjian does put on his helmet, but it is more a protective helmet, in that he gives a nod of approval to the imperatives because he knows it is the right thing to do, but it is only a nod. In addition, justification is only ones of the metaphors for our salvation, and as others have pointed out, when this doctrine gets elevated sanctification gets the burnt edges."
3 comments:
Hi, I'm on the same page as you are on the Law / Gospel issues. Have you ever read D Carson's "Refection's on Assurance" article it's a chapter in one the the 2 Volume set "The Grace of God and the Bondage of the Will". I though very balanced as usual.
Hey George!
Thanks for the comment. I was actually just thinking about that article. Thanks for the reminder. It has been a while since I read it, so I need to re-read it. I agree: very balanced!
Thanks brother,
BW
fantastic response
-Stephen in Louisville
Post a Comment