There is a large segment of the evangelical community that could be described as the Lordshippers. Essentially, they believe that the necessary evidence of true salvation is a saint who walks according to the principals of the Sermon on the Mount and, the other points of the Didache. If you are not familiar with the Didache I would suggest that you click on the link and read it. It is considered to be one of the oldest writings of the early church fathers and, is a creed of sorts, describing the proper life and attitude of a disciple of Christ. It is amazing to me that while there are many Christians who have never heard of the Didache, most all churches have a basic doctrine that is similar in nature to the Didache.
I began this blog in 2009 to chronicle my paradigm shift. It came about because I was concerned with the way that current evangelical dogma caused such bondage and fear. I had grown tired of people manipulating others for power, prestige, and to perpetuate a system that was very likely incorrect, and had been developed after the first century to keep people under control. I dedicate this to those who have been victims of spiritual abuse, and for those who have not yet realized they are.
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Gospel according to Jesus, the Didache, the Sermon on the Mount and Acts 15
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Pretty loose reasoning. If you take the statement of Acts 15:28-29 to be definitive, that would allow stealing, murder, and many other things which I doubt you would advocate.
ReplyDeleteThe latter half of each of Paul's letters is basically a restatement of the SOM. The goal of the Christian life is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ the Righteous. That entails obedience to the principles laid out in the SOM for sure.
Justification by grace through faith alone is not at odds with the law! As Paul said, "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law" (Rom 3:31).
Chalopique,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. This post points out that that the Didache as it is known and read is not a read and do manifesto. I am not suggesting that there is no value in the Law. I am adamantly stating that the read and do mentality of the Lordshippers...using obedience as proof of real salvation misses the mark entirely. Come on now, are you suggesting that the apostles learned a better way later? The fact is that Acts 15 is the definitive statement of the apostles conclusions. Certainly, if Paul believed as Lordshippers do would have corrected Luke before he wrote what he wrote. The fact is that Paul did not believe as the Lordshippers do. Grace not law was the driving factor. In the position that MacArthur and others take makes Jesus and redemption subservient to Law obedience. Actually, the obedience of the believer is the obedience of faith. And, the evidence of belief is not law obedience it is the fruit of the Spirit. Notice that Paul put self-control last in his list. Transformation is a process and Lordship Theology does not allow the process.
I read the Didache, and I see what you mean about not mentioning or explaining the gospel, salvation, and justification. I believe there was no mention of these things because they were speaking on how one is to carry themselves (behavior) and what they were to do to keep away from trouble. At the point of teaching the Didache, I would say one has already been taught about and accepted Jesus Christ.
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