Doctrine and Liberalism

“Christ died- that is history; ‘Christ died for our sins’- that is doctrine. Without these two
elements, joined in an absolutely indissoluble union, there is no Christianity.”
- J. Gresham Machen

How important is doctrine to the Christian faith?

Isn’t it enough to believe in the moral teachings of Jesus?

Liberalism rejects the truths found in the doctrine of Christianity. They are skeptical of
the claim that there is only one truth and believe instead that some truth can be found
through human experience. If truth is from human experience then all creeds of belief
must be true. However,“if all creeds are equally true, then since they are contradictory
to one another, they are all equally false, or at least equally uncertain” (Machen 17).
Not everything claimed as truth can be true.

What is different about Christianity?

Many have claimed that Christianity is a way of life, and while this is true there is so
much more. Christianity is based in a historical phenomenon that swept the ancient
world. The doctrine of Christianity is based in an actual event. Most people who claim
to be Christians will believe this fact.

In looking at the ancient church we see many examples of lives that were changed by
Christianity. For example, Paul, who once sought out and killed Christians, became one
of the most influential evangelists of the ancient world. We see in his letters that he was
dedicated to the objective truth of the gospel. In Rome, he found pastors who were
preaching truth with the wrong intention. He rejoiced because even though the way the
preaching was carrying on was wrong, the truth was being spread. However, in Galatia,
many false believers spread lies about Christianity. Paul did not tolerate this because the
content of the message was false.

Through his ministry we see that “Christianity for Paul was not only a life but also a
doctrine and logically the doctrine came first” (20).  The differences between the Gospel
Paul preached and the message of the false teachers was so vast it created two different
religions. One was based in works and one in salvation. The false teachers told the people
that if they believed and worked hard to please God they would be saved. Paul taught that
if they believed in Christ’s grace they would be saved and once saved they would be
changed in a way that gave them the desire to do good works.

Paul’s message (ultimately the message of the gospel) shows that works are not enough.

This is the message proclaimed by Christ in his earthly ministry. We cannot separate out the
morals Christ teaches from his saving work. The purpose of the morals he taught was to show
us our dire need for a savior. Christ didn’t preach ethics, but of the coming Kingdom of God,
salvation, and grace. The only change from Christ’s message to the disciples message is
Jesus proclaimed what was coming and the disciples proclaimed what Christ had done.

Nothing about the gospel appeals to the abilities and will of man. Instead the gospel is a
narrative of salvation.

We have not even reached the outward righteousness of the hypocrites in the New Testament,
how are we supposed to fulfill the moral requirements to enter the kingdom of Heaven?

With all this in mind, the answer is no. You cannot separate Jesus’ moral teachings from the
doctrine of Christianity.

Interacting With Culture

“In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight.” - J. Gresham Machen

Welcome to the first post in a new series about culture and the Christian life. Each of
these posts will be based on a chapter from J. Gresham Machen’s book Christianity
and Liberalism. With that said, let’s begin!

Let’s start by defining the idea of culture. I have interacted with quite a few people who
consider culture to be something outside of the Christian world. In the church we hear
much about how we should confront and interact with the culture, but this view ignores
one crucial point. We are not separated from culture.

Culture is “the the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that
depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding
generations” (Merriam-Webster). It manifests itself in our beliefs, actions,
presuppositions, prejudices, values, and art. Even Christians are affected by the culture
around them. We are not immune to the views of the world around us and it is important
we realize that. Much more harm comes from Christians believing they are not influenced
by the world around us. It becomes a piece of our life whether we realize it or not. It is
only after we realize that we are influenced by culture that we can take steps to right the
wrongs we see and help influence the culture for good.

The modern world is marked by drastic and distinct physical improvements. The world we
live in today is in some respects safer and more productive than ever before. However,
there have been some dangerous losses in the spiritual realm. This loss translates into
the growth of liberalism and materialism in our culture.

This is the culture that Christians must struggle against. It all comes back to the idea of
being in the world but not of it. We must recognize what parts of culture have become a
part of us and work hard to ensure our Christian culture is what the world sees in us.

Look back for a moment at the quote at the beginning of the post. The things we disagree
about within and without the church are the very things worth discussing. As Christians
we must be able to hold conversations about “hot topics” with grace and truth. No good
has ever come from two people loudly fighting over issues.

This is especially true when we discuss issues in the culture with non believers. We
cannot expect non believers to behave as believers do. They do not have the same moral
standards or convictions so how could they behave the same? We can’t become angry
that they disagree with our beliefs. Instead we must approach those who are part of the
liberal culture with kindness and listening ears.  

As we begin this series on culture and liberalism I encourage you to listen with opening
ears and a wary heart. So many members of our culture (yes, remember, our culture not
the culture) are hurting and do not feel heard. Listen and engage in intelligent
conversations. Be sure that you do not “let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit
those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29).  

Seeing Poverty Through the Eyes of a Child

I am a nanny for two of the most wonderful (and sometimes terrible) children in the world. At nine and six years old they are constantly asking questions. They are growing up in a world where both parents love them and work very hard to provide for them. They have always had enough. They have toys worth more money than I make in a day, they have all the food they could ever need (even if it’s not the food they want), they go to school, and complain about things like going swimming or seeing a movie. Most days involve a complete meltdown and pouting fit from my six year old (who I will call Rocket in this post) because he didn’t get his way, someone did something he didn’t like, or I told him he cannot have more iPad time. These kids, through no fault of their own, live in a world where they are unaware of poverty.

The other day there were a few quiet moments while they ate lunch, and I decided to use that time to write a letter to the child I sponsor through Compassion International (if you are interested you can find more information here). She is a five year old living in rural India. I don’t have much information about her, but I know her father works as much as he can to provide for her family, at just five years old she runs errands, helps her mother around the house, and that she needs a sponsor.

When my kids realized that I was no longer giving them my undivided attention and was writing something down on note paper they began to ask questions.

What are you doing?

I am writing a letter.

Who are you writing to?

I am writing to girl who lives in India.

How do you know her?

I’ve never met her, but she lives in an area that is very poor and doesn’t have enough. I sponsor her through a program called Compassion International. Sponsorship means I send her money every month so she can get things she needs.

What does she sound like?

I don’t know. I’ve never talked to her. But I do know she probably doesn’t speak English.

What language does she speak?

Probably a language called Hindi or something that sounds like it.

You haven’t video chatted with her or anything?

No, I haven’t. I don’t think she has any way of video chatting. I haven’t even received a letter back from her yet.

Then why do you write to her?

Because I want her to know who I am, that I care about her and want to help her. I have a picture of her in my room. Maybe next time we go to my house I’ll show you.

I was surprised excited that my kids had shown so much interest in someone from a completely different culture; especially someone that is dear to my heart. I showed them where India is on a map and explained (to the best of my ability) how different the culture there is. I showed them what the Hindi language sounds like and by the end of the conversation they were contentedly listening to Indian music while they colored.

This morning I brought them to my house to play with my dog. After almost an hour of playing fetch with the dog and a lively game of memory (without the dog) we were getting ready to leave. As we cleaned up the game my nine year old, who I will call Jazzy, asked if I had a picture of the girl I was writing letters to.

I ran upstairs to get it. When I came down we sat on the couch looking at the picture. On the back of the card is a description of my sponsor child: where she lives, what she likes, and what her life and family are like. I read this description to Rocket and Jazzy and explained again why I sponsor her.

You give her money, right?

Yes, that’s right.

Why do you do that?

Because her family is poor and she doesn’t have things she needs. I give her money so her parents can buy the things she needs.

Like toys?

Well, they might use it to buy toys. But I think she needs things more like food or clothes, or school supplies.

But why do you do that?

Because I have enough. I have a job and a steady income and my needs are more than met. I know there are people in the world who do not have enough and I want to help.

Rocket became very quiet.

It was in that moment I realized it had never occurred to him that there are people in the world that don’t have enough. He knew what it felt like to not have what he wants- nearly every day he pulls out a Lego magazine and tells me how much he wants each and every toy in it- but he has never considered what it would be like to not have the things he needs.

I was amazed by my kid’s curiosity about those in different cultures and was proud of their unexpressed, yet obvious, concern for this five year old. They care. Their concern is so innocent and pure. It was a six year old realizing for the first time that there are kids in the world without toys and a nine year old considering what it would feel like to be hungry.

We like to think of the world as a giant Lego set. As long as all of our pieces are in the correct place everything is fine. Sure, our neighbors might not have their pieces in the right place, but that's not our business. Many of us have extra Lego bricks that we could use to make our set even better. What we so often forget is that there are many people around us with missing pieces or even missing sets, yet we hang on to what we have just in case we need it.

In our world of Lego blocks and complaining we forget that there are people in our towns, cities, states, country, continent, world that don’t have enough food on the table or money to buy clothes. Isn’t it time we saw poverty with the eyes of a child? Children don’t sugar coat things; I have hundreds of examples of these two kids speaking their minds and telling me exactly how it is. Jazzy and Rocket were startled and saddened by poverty. They didn't see the possibility that someone else could help, they simply saw need.

We have as much to learn from children as they do from us. I do not care what your religious, political, or economic persuasions are. Income, religion, and politics should not dull, sugar coat, or distort what we see. We should see poverty through the eyes of these children- with raw sadness and care- and it should touch us. There is so much we can do, even the smallest things, like giving up a Starbucks coffee once a week, not going to see a movie, or just setting aside a small portion of each paycheck. Each of these small sacrifices can make a huge difference in the lives of others.

As I attempt to instill the value of charity and generosity in these kids, I continue to learn what wholehearted and honest concern for a stranger looks like. I see a tiny piece of God’s character in these kids. We have been given abounding love and shown abounding generosity. Should we not seek to live in manner that reflects all we have been given? It is time to stop overlooking, ignoring, minimizing, or denying the need around us. Stop thinking that someone else will solve the problem. Take a lesson from a nine and six year old, open your eyes to see need, and make change happen. 

I don't know what you are doing But I know it's in your plan  And I know you hear my screaming And my tears are in your hand For you hear your grieving children Who are lost confused and scared And it's to the rock we’re clinging You will hold us safely there
Though I can't see how this fits Inside your perfect plan How your hand is working In the midst of sinking sand I will wait until the morning Like a watchman in the night Just for you to show me How you make it right
I need you more than ever Please remind me that you're near Please help me see the light of day Through the thickness of my tears When my faith is being shaken When my hope is all but gone I will hold onto your promise That you are still God
Please give me faith to make it through And courage in your word. The strength to face each endless night And to trust in you, oh Lord. I don't know why it happened this way But you are mighty to save And though you give and take away The name of the Lord be praised.

Little Seeds

So many things worked perfectly

the timing itself was grand

It was started by a piano, and

a question from a lost man.

He wondered where we went to school

and we told him, as well we should,

that we were bible college students

and music majors to boot.

He congratulated us for saying

our campus name with pride

for being unashamed in declaring

our faith in Jesus Christ.

When Daniel asked him of his faith,

whether he knew the grace of God,

and if he were to pass away,

would he be home with the Lord

He said he didn’t know.

Then he said probably not

“I believe in God,” he told us,

“and heaven, the cross, and hell, but

I don’t think that I would go to heaven,

If I were to die tonight,

I live life to the fullest” he said,

“I know I don’t live in the light.”

Daniel asked if he could share

the truth the gospel holds.

The man said “yes, of course he could”,

but some of the story he may know.

Daniel lead him through the Roman Road,

through Ephesians and through John.

He explained the death of Jesus

and how he has overcome.

Christ has won against the Devil

death and sin are gone.

Though he was dead, Christ lives again

Our God, our God has won.

Daniel told how we can receive this grace

Through no merit of our own

we cannot boast in our salvation

but through the one on heaven’s throne.

But Steve was taken aback by this,

by the idea of unmerited grace,

we knew he thought good works mattered

it was written on his face.

His crucifix shone in the streetlight

as a wrinkle creased his brow.

He thought for a while on a question

as though he didn’t know how

to voice the words caught on his tongue

about this gift of grace,

and instead he asked us how

it is possible to keep 100% faith.

“How do you give all of your trust

to a God you can’t even see?

Do you always have to be sure

in order to truly believe?“

We told him it’s not easy

how we have doubts and we have fears,

but how, through everything that happens,

one thing we hold dear

that our God is watching over

every child who calls him “Dad”

No matter what we do or fear,

our life is in his hand.

No matter how we disobey

or the idols that steal our love

salvation does not depend on us

it is fixed in Christ alone.

Rebekah and I then quickly ran,

though the distance wasn’t far,

to get the gospel of the apostle John
from inside Daniel’s car.

A mad dash back and a challenge

for Steve to read the book,

and if he has more questions

to take a second look.

He thanked us for the time we spent

explaining the story to him.

He told us he would think on it

while he flew back to his home.

I asked if we could pray for him,

and the four of us joined hands,

I prayed for protection, favor, and comfort,

and that Steve would understand

The story that gives life

and that he would come to love it, too

That he would accept the grace of God

and let Christ make him new.

The prayer over, we said goodbye,

to our new friend named Steve,

and we said a prayer once again

that he would soon believe.

Tonight as he lies thinking

on the truth that he has heard,

please direct his heart and mind

to open up Your word.

An evening spent in friendship,

with pianos, teas, and jokes

ended with a prayer

for the seeds that we had sown

Lord, bring someone to water

this little budding seed

please help this tiny sapling grow

into a giant tree.