the HERETIC in all of us

A response to Jeremy Myers' "The Heretic in Me"

Yesterday, at church, my sunday school teacher (who I now know is free grace in theology) taught in concert with "The Finality of the Cross," by Bob George. What did Jesus actually accomplish by dying there in our place, and fulfilling the law?

And so, to date, I can count only three times in my entire Christian experience, where I have heard someone confirm what I believe Paul teaches on the subject of law vs. grace.

The first? Warren W. Wiersbe's "Be Right", study text on the book of Romans. (I read it years after establishing my own doctrine on the scriptures and after much effort to find anyone who would teach this.) The second? In the "Romans and Galatians" class taught at the Grace Seminary of the Northwest, which was founded by Dr. Radmacher, a leading proponent of free grace theology.

I asked Pastor Greg, WHY? Why, whenever I talk about this with other Christians, do I get silence? He said, it's not easily grasped until after a good deal of study, and, if people haven't been shown this, and don't own it, it doesn't stick. That's why there is such a fight to keep standing firm. This is such a foundational topic, it's on the most basic principles of what happened at the cross on our behalf. Consequently it's worth fighting for. As Dr. Radmacher says, we keep going back to Galatians 1:8; if there be any other gospel, "anathema."

This is what the "free grace movement" is all about. We are all about preserving the purpose and clarity of "the finality of the cross." It's come at a great price, and will continue to be so -- many of us have come into this movement after much rejection, perhaps even after being thrown out, by common evangelical doctrine. Many will still come to us in the years ahead, for that same reason.

And now... that we're established as a legitimate school of thought, now?!? we need to make sure everyone tows the line in their interpretation of the Word? Like, somehow, now that "we're GES," ... "our answer is fully complete." May it never be! Whether you're GES, or FGA, or if you make no distinction, do you really think we might lose out because someone asks a question?

Wow! That's not the inheritance I want. I want to be free to read it as God will reveal. Don't you too?

I see what even the GES has done to Jeremy Myers at a time when he wants to know more. You can read his slow descent into reprimand, in his post and the subsequent comments. I linked to it, underlying the title above, and again here. I do not want to start criticism of the leadership provided there. How could one such as me comprehend the trials and obligations of those at the helm? I try and understand it as much as I can; perhaps his firing was appropriate. I weigh it out, contemplating that a man is in a paid position to represent and promote one teaching; therefore, it would be unfair letting him also exert freedom in the public realm in potentially abandoning it for another teaching. I conclude that Myers' responsibility to the GES was unique. He nevertheless ought to and clearly does, privately, hold himself open and willing toward God's Word like the rest of us. If he finds himself changing his mind in any portion that compromises his ability to represent a theology, then he might let himself out of obligation to go on representing that theology. If Myers could not foresee the implications of it all, there is no blame I find in him. I most innocently would have done the same myself. So it remains -- I am confident that the GES, or any other organization in free grace, does not mean to damper investigation into the Word!

Why then are we losing a grip on our freedom? One word alone: HERETIC. That one disclosure spoiled the whole atmosphere of exploring the Word of God. Claim back your conscience before your God. It is rightfully yours and wrongfully monopolized by the majority or the minority! This should be a familiar thing, being called "heretic," by now. I am sure this is not the end. There is a kind of "heresy" I should wear with boldness, amongst fellow Christians. There is no such thing as an "unfair need" in my relationship with God, so why should my questions be off-limits in His Word?

(I concede, deception is an everyday accomplishment of Satan, and moving outside of orthodoxy is something in which to care in the highest priority. For that reason alone, those brothers who warn of "heresy" are precious, more; essential, for success! But, how to handle the issue of heresy in a social context is the topic of an upcoming article.)

At Lou's blog in his latest post, he says that the Word of God is not open to "selective interpretation." Then, he goes about re-explaining his stance as if it is the only one. He is correct, in a sense.... Nobody ought to pick and choose interpretations like women dig through their closet for the most complimenting shoes. But something was neglected: I would add that the Word of God is also not open for "private interpretation."

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. ... Or did the Word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 cor 14:36-37)

Is doctrine delineated by only one man, or only one faction?

Whose right is it to determine doctrine?

It belongs to the head of the church, Jesus Christ. Where is Jesus Christ, for us, today? We have the mind of Christ. (1 cor 2:16) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. (john 16:13) Truth is accessible not only for those with seminary degrees. Rather truth is dispensed to all because of faith, for there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (gal 3:28). For each one of us, if one will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (deut 4:29) The one thing that keeps any of us from finding truth, is faith and devotion to God, for if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (james 1:5)

God gives steadfast doctrine to any who pray and dig into the Word.

If you want to know what the bible says, I am convinced there are two ways to form a conviction. One: commentaries. Two: avoiding them. It's impossible to have it both ways. Exegesis means "to draw the meaning out of" a given text. How can anyone draw a meaning "out," if they first attend to drawing any one's meaning upon it?

Commentaries are the stuff which we have the great privilege of revising, as free grace people.

Dr. Stephen Lewis taught a free grace seminary class titled 'The Evolution of Theology.' When he took us through the history of the church from the apostles, to today, he said that Luther read the Word of God and realized a lot of the errors in Catholicism. Maybe he corrected 80%, of the error? Dr. Radmacher and he both spoke for a few moments at the great work at exegesis being done in free grace, now that they have established good principles of hermeneutics. There are people all throughout free grace who are working, text by text, to pull out the messages contained therein. It's going to take a long time till the work is done. People have already brought great benefit to us, such as Zane Hodges' study of the epistle of James, where he clearly distinguishes that dead faith is not nonexistant faith. This tool is already being put to use to end doubt over eternal security in evangelical Christianity.

If you've "selected" (so to speak) an interpretation, do you inwardly permit comfort from numbers and titles? In the least it must be a temptation, to not be made more confident by their affirming opinions. If you've got an interpretational camp you belong to, let me ask: do you know what they read (commentaries possibly)? Do you know where they get their confidence? (Ever heard of circular logic -- well, now I suggest circular confidence.)

The great thing about relying only upon the Word for assurance is this: if we are wrong, it will shortly be clear when we speak with brothers who disagree. The true test of your interpretation, and whether it is biblically sound, is to take it to His body, who has the same Mind, in particular those who disagree with you, and ask for their corrections. Then God gets the glory, because we know we owe our lives to Him and He receives how much we love Him for everything that He is, and how much we love our brother and honor the church, which is His bride.

The free grace movement has a great heritage. It all began because we read the Word for ourselves. As Luther once did. This is no time to surrender that which has made us fit for His use in the world.

I will be entering in another article soon at the Unashamed of Grace blog as a guest, if Antonio is still willing when it is ready. It is meant to address and identify the problem-areas in free grace intra-relationships, to aid in some restoration. It will be difficult and I am humbled almost to the point of silence, but, it needs to be set out there. Relationships must be lent critical and encouraging support to be delivered as upright and honorable. Please pray for grace in the message, because no one should be to blame for this rift, besides our Enemy.

God bless you.

Associated links to this post:

The recent dialogue between Lou and Rose

Some recent posts on heresy;Lou's, JP's, Lou's, the watching disbelieving world's