Grace means primarily the free, forgiving love of God in Christ to sinners and the operation of that love in the lives of Christians. ~A. M. Hunter (Professor Emeritus of New Testament, was formerly Master of Christ’s College, Aberdeen.)
Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God’s grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” ~Titus 2:11-12. And Peter tells us, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever.” ~2 Peter 3:18. Grace transforms our desires, motivations, and behavior, it changes our lives. Christ is our Savior and our Lord.
We ask RPs and PRs to consider some questions:
The hyper-grace movement claims to be leading a reformation that unleashes ‘real’ grace. Is it even possible to exaggerate grace? If so, can part of the hyper-grace message be unbalanced, overstated, and at times unbiblical? Is some of it bringing trouble to the well-being of the body of Christ?
Are we witnessing a new reformation in the greater church world around us? And are the Reformed Protestants bringing this reformation to PR circles? Or, are they mixing some life-giving truth from the Word with some error?
On truth
Some of the modern grace teachers preach grace with the same insights that were believed for centuries. And yet, are they introducing some serious deviations along with grace? Could these deviations lead to the kind of error that puts people in a new form of bondage rather than liberating them?
Are these hyper-grace teachers merely teaching their own brand of legalistic judgmentalism? Should PRs and RPs do some self-examination concerning this?
The message of many hyper-grace teachers has that kernel of truth that any reformed church-goer would agree with. Does hyper-grace draw true or biblical conclusions from the truth they assert at the beginning of their message?
On obedience
Some hyper-grace teachers claim that the believer remains totally depraved even after regeneration and conversion? If so, how can the preacher assert that the gratitude for salvation of this totally depraved person endures? Can a totally depraved person have or experience gratitude? How can they ensure their listeners that they will obey the commands out of sheer gratitude and without any exhortations or warnings?
Does irresistible grace = automatic obedience? If so, how does gratitude fit into this framework? Isn’t that making sanctification dependent on man’s gratitude, and therefore on his emotions? Shouldn’t it follow then that even gratitude is not necessary either?
On the call in preaching
Is the preacher who calls believers to walk worthy of their salvation a candidate for the accusation of teaching works-righteousness? Instead, is it only okay to call believers as a reminder of what God will do for/in/through them? Is that a presentation of gospel promises?
Is intentional obedience a form of legalism? Then, is preaching that contains the call to obey mere ‘behavior modification’, moralism, and being in the ‘sin management business’?
Lastly (for now)
Did Luther and Calvin really miss the right understanding of grace? Was Johnathan Edwards guilty of preaching a “pseudo-gospel” or promulgating “religious arguments and doctrines of demons” as John Crowder claims? If so, why did no other theological giants realize it? Are the leaders of the hyper-grace movement theological giants? Does being in front of this movement make them theological giants?
Do we need to receive this new reformation?
If so, should we submit to ‘The Grace Revolution’?
Is the jury of your mind still out that this movement is even real?
Still in doubt about whether there is an exaggerated form of grace out there? Maybe you don’t think the hyper-grace movement is a ‘thing’? Does it matter whether there is a failure to keep the various aspects of salvation in proper alignment? Please do a follow-up read from Bill Muehlenberg in his blog post from 2015 at Culture Watch.
