Paul's Passing Thoughts

Though Sonship theology is rarely, if ever spoken of among New Calvinist, its connections and influence are clearly undisputable. These are comments from a reader who is presently involved in a Sonship discipleship course. I find this reader’s insights intriguing when compared to the adamant denials that New Calvinist have an unorthodox view of law/gospel. More comments from this reader will be posted in the near future. Also, note the reader’s ability to discern the techniques used to assimilate this false doctrine into the minds of the students taking this course:

“May I put my two cents in here to share what I’ve learned from the Sonship course of their position regarding law? I’m offering this as evidence that some people do believe Christ’s active obedience obviates our obedience. From what I understand, this course is very popular and I happen to know a church full of people holding fast to this Sonship doctrine. Just on the face of it, the Sonship course has no chapter on obedience at all. There is a chapter, however on “Passive Righteousness” and here’s what they have to say about the law:

What they teach in Sonship is that any good works/righteousness we (as believers, mind you — not unregenerate — they say this is a course for believers!) display is as filthy rags, BUT, they remind us, Christ died for sinners and accepts us just the way we are. This is how they start the course to show us we’re adopted sons (hence, “Sonship”). With that premise in mind, I still haven’t figured out what they mean by God’s grace/the Spirit “moves you out”. What – into more sin so that we can claim Christ’s atonement?

At the beginning of chapter 4 in this course, this is what they say about the law: “We abuse law by turning it into our gospel, by making law our good news instead of what Christ has done for us. In doing so, we lose both the law and the gospel. At the heart of this abuse is a legalistic heart that says, ‘Give me a law so that I can keep it, and feel righteous about it.’” Remember, they say we do this as believers. This chapter was to teach us how we are “prone . . . to live under law (in subtle as well as obvious ways), and how that overflows in an unloving approach toward others.” Later in chapter 4, we’re given a checklist to see where we “stand.” The first item in the checklist is “I live as though my actions will make God . . . approve me.” If you selected that as one of your characteristics, they claim you are “living by unbelief and under the law.” Another one from the “living by unbelief and under the law” list is: “I base my worth on the ‘success’ of my efforts.” Can you see they are negating the law in the believer’s life? There can be no effort to please God in the life of a believer? There can be no faith that bears fruit?

The next question is: whose law do they claim we are prone to live under – our own or God’s? The homework questions are focused around man-made laws – rules we set up for ourselves and expect others to follow. However, through the course of this chapter, they make no distinction between man-made laws and God’s law. No definitions. Near the end of the chapter, they throw the baby (God’s law) out with the bathwater (man’s law) by stating: “In Christ, I am free from the law’s condemnation. In Christ, my sins are paid for, and I have Jesus’ perfect obedience. Law does not determine my acceptance with God. Now I know law cannot sanctify me.” And also: “He has not only attained our perfection but atoned for our imperfection. There is nothing more to struggle about, for He has done all for us and God asks nothing now but our repentance and faith. ALL THE FITNESS HE REQUIRETH IS TO FEEL YOUR NEED OF HIM.” (Emphasis mine.) (The last was quoted in the Sonship course from Stanley Voke, Personal Revival, 1964.) (Note that in the first quote, the context of their discussion of the law is as it pertains to sanctification.) There. Full circle. Christ died for sinners. So, in holding to this truth as their requirement (that is, as believers, they need to be sinners (total depravity of the saints) so that He will feel their need of Him), they will crucify Him over and over again by preaching the gospel to themselves. Thus, exposing Him repeatedly to public disgrace (Heb. 6:4-6) and insulting the Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:26-29).”