I want to add one more emphasis to the New Dynamic in Fundamentalism series. Over the past couple of years, I have become more convinced that the church at large, whether fundamentalist, evangelical, or any other stripe, needs to get back to the pervasive preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ. The one truth that will be the most influential in bringing the church to where it needs to be is Christocentrism.
Take a look at the scriptures. In the Old Testament, we’ve been given an amazing account of God’s hand in history, along with examples that have been given for our edification. But if we lose sight of the real Point, we’ve missed it all. Jesus said that those scriptures “testify of Me.” They’re all about Him.
The New Testament is, undoubtedly, about Jesus Christ. His life, His ministry, His work, and His continuing work through the church and the power of the Holy Spirit. One is hard pressed to read the book of Acts without finding the gospel of Jesus Christ on the lips of the apostles. John made the nature of Christ a separating issue. Paul said that in all things He must have preeminence. He’s our greatest example of humility, of love, of holiness, of power, of everything. Paul wanted to know Him and the power of His resurrection. The early church ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
The post-New Testament early church wrestled with the nature of Christ. It was the cause of division early on. And we can see throughout history, getting it wrong is a source of all sorts of other heresies.
I’m grateful for the emphases going on within conservative evangelicalism and parts of fundamentalism today. There is a call back to the recognition of God’s sovereignty, of Lordship, and of repentance. I’m thrilled about the Gospel Coalition, Together for the Gospel, and other like minded efforts. Rallying around the gospel is vital – but even in these things, the nature of Christ isn’t as emphasized as I would like to see. No doubt, we are highlighting things like propitiation, and justification, because these things are needed. And, thankfully, I recognize that Christ is spoken of in all these things. But I believe more attention needs to be given to Him: His nature, His life, and how He absolutely influences every bit of doctrine and practice.
We’ve seen it over and again. When we focus on one doctrine over another, we lose sight of the main thing. All doctrine is important. But some have overemphasized ecclesiology, or eschatology, or bibliogy. I contend that there is only one thing you cannot overemphasize – Christology. Christology is the foundation, center, and capstone of every other detail of doctrine. It all points to Him, it’s all about Him. If your theology isn’t doing it, you’re not doing theology correctly.
My prayer is to see the New Dynamic of Fundamentalism become thoroughly Christocentric. I want to see how every issue touches on the doctrine of Christ. I want to always have Christ as the focus of every study, every post, every sermon. I want to see this exemplify the character and holiness of Christ. I want to see Christ lifted up and glorified in our lives, ministries, and even blogs. If we are not doing that, we are missing the most elementary thing and doing this completely in vain.
Erik
May 22, 2010
Amen. There is no Gospel without Jesus. In Radical, David Platt points out that within our churches so much of the Gospel is about me. Ultimately, the center of many people’s faith is not Jesus. It is their own salvation, and Jesus is the means to that end. This not what, as Paul might say, “What you have learned of me.”
Jesus is the Gospel. Heaven, blessing, etc – those are all secondary to the restoration to a relationship with God and that restoration does not just come from agreeing with Jesus or believing in Him. It does not come from going through a list of verses and consenting to them. The restoration is Jesus.
As I’ve said before, he is all there is to Christianity and the Church. It grieves me that he is often shunted to the side by so many other things.
You want social justice? Look to Jesus’ view of social justice.
You want salvation? Look to Jesus’ view of salvation.
You want spirituality? Look to Jesus’ spirituality.
You want moral law? Look to Jesus as your moral law.
You want interpretation? Look to Jesus.
I could go on and on and on.
Good seed idea, D.
williamdudding1977
May 22, 2010
Next year, John MacArthur has a new book coming called “Slave” which will be about the conspiracy to cover up the idea of God as a Master and His people as slaves. The idea that Jesus is really LORD and in return, that means I am his slave – has really changed the way I see everything! It really puts Christ back on the throne where He belongs (not that He’s ever been off the throne, but in our minds He has not been). Fundamentalism needs to be all about Jesus once again if it ever was.
Erik
May 23, 2010
It is true that Jesus is on the throne; but he also was in the trenches. We need to see him at both his most majestic and his most humble. He is Savior, Master and Model.
(Not disagreeing, just adding to the convo)
JasonS
May 23, 2010
Yes, both are true. I especially love Philippians 2:5-11 where both are so vividly portrayed.
Phil
May 23, 2010
Erik,
It be interesting to see : Jesus and social justice. Could you elaborate?