Paul's Passing Thoughts

In recent days there has been considerable discussion on this blog regarding the relationship between Law/Gospel. As I have said, to some degree I am on a journey in regard to this issue because I think the present-day church is in a law dark age. Let me also mention that my research in regard to Law/Gospel has introduced me to significant teachers among Reformed Baptist, and I find myself greatly blessed accordingly. Many of the comments here are lengthy treatises, and I will be printing them and carefully reviewing them.

The first thing I have discovered in my journey is that the supposed spiritual brainiacs of our day have made so-called “legalism” parishioner enemy number one. This is clearly not true from a scriptural standpoint, in fact, the concept can barely be found anywhere in Scripture. What can be found everywhere from Genesis to Revelation is “anomia.” “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of [anti-law] anomia” (lawlessness).

Secondly, I find the theological dichotomies foisted  upon Scripture by respected teachers of our day very suspect. We must remember: there are ten commandments listed in the Bible, but the Holy Spirit never makes them a category apart from the rest of Scripture. “Decalogue” is not a biblical word. And certainly, whole theologies / doctrine should not be formulated from those supposed dichotomies. ALL of Scripture contributes to spiritual life in some way (Matthew 4:4; 2Timothy 3:16,17).

Thirdly, I believe we have been sold a bill of goods on covenants. I am uncomfortable with all schools of thought available on this issue. Ephesians 2:12 has incited me to look into this for myself.

Fourthly, hyper-dispensationalism aside, I have never really had any bones to pick with dispensationalism until one reader’s comments caused me to think. Yes, New Covenant Theology is clearly rank antinomianism, but dispensationalism with its emphasis on a law age and a grace age has clearly led to a severe devaluing of law in Christian circles—especially among Southern Baptist where I witness it firsthand.

Thanks for the input,

In Him,

paul