This week in class (and when I say in class i mean via online class) we have been discussing the book of Galatians and whether the book was written to a legalist or nomist situation.
This post is not on that. (I hear a sigh of belief from many people who were afraid they were going to have to find out what nomist meant 
)
However it has made me ponder this:
- Is the gospel we live a gospel with additives. Thus, we say you accept Jesus by faith, but then after becoming a Christian there are certain things one is expected to do to ’stay’ Christian, or to be accepted as a christian, or to become ‘more christian’. By this I mean, what cultural expectations do we implicitly or explicitly put on ourselves and other believers. For example:
* A true christian reads their bible every day?
* A true christian must go to church every week?
* A true christian doesn’t drink
* A true christian must only………..
Have you or do you experience any of these additivies? Where did they come from? Do you think they are cultural add ons? Or are they necessary to make a healthy church community?
August 31, 2007 at 2:04 pm
interesting aye? i’ve always wondered how Jesus always told the people He forgave – “go and sin no more”, and like that’s such a blanket statement and such a high expectation, yet everytime i’m in Church and the pastors are talking about it their additive is: “you’ll continue to sin, but the most important thing is that you keep asking for forgiveness”
did Jesus really expect such a high standard, or did He know that for example the woman who had committed adultery and was about to be stoned would definitely commit no more sexual sins?
but yeah to answer the question, i didn’t go to Church until a year after i became a Christian and was overwhelmed by the whole culture of Christianity that i’d never imagined when picturing it in my head based on what i knew from the Bible (eg. tithing, singing)
September 1, 2007 at 2:39 am
Maybe the gospel that gets taught isn’t big enough, life-changing enough to fully transform people’s lives? In order to get the gospel into people, people resort to simplistic explanations (e.g.: all you have to do is pray the sinners prayer, and then you’re sweet), and are later forced to adding to their original gospel (continuing e.g.: now that you’ve prayed the sinners prayer, you’ve got to do this, that, etc).
September 2, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Nato – I reckon you’re on to something.
Lisa – Hi, I came here from Nato’s blog –
In answer to your questions: Yeah, totally; I think they arise from a wrong understanding of what Jesus was about, and what “The Gospel” actually is, and I think that such misunderstandings are typical of humans in general; yes, they’re cultural add-ons and different cultures have their own little issues they freak out about; I think it’s ultimately harmful to load down other people with our crazy rules. I’m not advocating an uncaring avoidance of issues though; I think people, christians especially, should talk openly about their issues and encourage others to do the same, and support them, and spend a lot of time and energy working out how best to live, and then put their conclusions into practice; but I’m pretty much against any kind of coercion or judgmentalism.
Sorry to waffle. In summary, people should all be inclusive and nice and look after one another, and Christians should lead the way.
September 3, 2007 at 9:37 am
don’t you advocate exclusionism and favouritism though Fraser?
September 3, 2007 at 10:42 am
I don’t advocate them, no. I’m guilty of having shown favouritism and excluded people at times, as are most people. I admit to being a hypocrite. But not having lived up to my ideals doesn’t necessarily mean the ideals are wrong.
At any rate, Stan, a complete stranger’s blog isn’t the appropriate forum for yet another Christian-baiting session.
September 3, 2007 at 1:52 pm
sorry Fraser, it’s just that when you say how Christians “should” and “shouldn’t” be doing things it reminds me of Capill telling people what they should and shouldn’t be like
September 3, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Well yeah, I see where you’re coming from. But when I talk about what Christians ’should’ do, I’m talking about guiding principles. I don’t condemn people for not living up to my principles, which is why I’d find it difficult to be a politician…
September 3, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Again stan, as you are so into referencing, I highly recommend this link from Sovereign Grace Ministries, New Attitude conference for Young Adults, called ‘Discern your doctrine’ I am sure you will find it most helpful in light of this discussion
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/productinfo.aspx?ProductID=A2270-02-51
Fraser: Hi! Yes I have visited your blog, only last week from Natro’s site I see you are a fello Baptist down in Chch! Thanks for your most inisightful comments!
September 4, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Stan, you are very aware of the commenting policy of this blog.
So your comment has been removed.
As I am sure you are aware I do not spend all day staring at my navel and pondering over theological issues, as thrilling as that might appear. Like many other bloggers I have a job (actually two) and also have a life outside blogging that I like to participate in.
I will respond to the issue you bought up after I have speant some more time coming up with a reasoned response as this is a good topic you have raised.
If you wish to continue this conversation you may email me. My email address is avaliable off my blogger profile.
February 4, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I would definitely agree that there are a lot of additives then trusting in Christ alone for salvation. I think some of the one’s I encounter are:
1) You must understand the doctrine of propitiation
2) You must speak in tongues
3) You must not drink, smoke, dance, or listen to non-Christian music
4) You must not watch TV
In Galatians the gospel is presented as free. Some people cannot comprehend this so they think they need additives.
However, I think that the additive of being a part of a Christian community, under the authority/leadership of a pastor, receiving the Lord’s Supper, and coming into the light/being transparent about who you are and what is going on in your life/being held accountable to the Christian community is also attested to in the New Testament and in the early Church. So, I do not believe that going to church should be considered an additive, since the New Testament considers it a privilege rather than an obligation.