Objective
Justification Belongs to Calvin, Not St. Paul or Luther
The Scriptures do
not use the shorthand label of the Means of Grace, but the term is useful for
expressing what is taught –
1.
All of God’s actions come through the
Holy Spirit in the Word. Isaiah 55:8ff.
2.
Therefore, God’s grace can only come
to us through the Word, whether the invisible Word of preaching and teaching,
or the visible Word of baptism and communion.
3.
The Gospel alone creates faith, Genesis
15:3 and Romans 1:17.
4.
Faith comes from hearing the report
of the Atonement (Romans 10) and we are declared righteous by faith. Romans 4
and 5.
Luther did not
invent some new concept of the Scriptures but taught the Bible as one unified
truth, not a series of passages where one verse could be emphasized at the
expense of all others or one theme matched up with other verses to prove a
dogmatic assertion. Just as important, he carried on the rabbinic concept of God’s
Word being identical to God’s will.
In contrast, Calvin
teaches against the Holy Spirit always working through the Word. For good
reason, Calvinism leads to Unitarianism and all kinds of quasi-Christian sects.
Calvinism, far from being similar to Lutheran principles, is a deviously clever
way of taking over the Reformation while opposing the essence of the Christian
Faith, the Chief Article of Christianity, Justification by Faith – and rejecting
the Sacraments. Worst of all, Lutherans have been suckers in giving up the
Means of Grace to enjoy the favor of the Calvinists – in ecumenical talks, in
union congregations, and hybrid denominations like the ELCA, the Missouri
Synod, WELS, and ELS, where the label is Lutheran but the doctrine is
Calvinistic Pietism.
Pietism and
Calvinism share the misconception of the Church. The real church for them is
not defined by the Means of Grace. Stephan’s entire group came over bearing the
name Lutheran but considering themselves as an association of Pietistic cell
groups. The cell groups continued in America until they were conveniently forgotten.
Therefore, as separatists, they were holier than anyone else, even if they
allowed the most outrageous behavior in Stephan and then responded to him with
many criminal actions that enriched their colony. They transferred leadership
from Stephan to Walther, and the mantle of Pietism’s guru passed to him as well.
Francis Pieper
wrote correctly that Calvinism creates the monster of uncertainty. All the Lutheran
leaders have taken the pilgrimages to Fuller Seminary and Willow Creek because
they were no longer successful and feared for the future. The simplicity of
trusting God’s Word - and sowing it with abandon - has been traded for business
methods, schemes, entertainment, and snack food to fill the theater seats. How
low have modern Lutherans sunk to draw people to church with -
·
Popcorn instead of the Bread of Life,
·
Pop music instead of hymns
·
Tavern Bible study groups instead of
pastors teaching the Word
·
Me-centered chats instead of Scriptural
sermons.
By making common
cause with Calvinism through union congregations - or the hybrid called Pietism
- Lutherans have denied their birthright just as Esau did his, and for much
less than a bowl of lentil soup.
Simply put, denying
the efficacy of the Word and the Means of Grace will always confuse the individual
and place an undue emphasis on one’s emotions and various forms of legalism. Some
of the more ridiculous methods of feeling successful, rather than trusting the
power of the Gospel, are –
1.
Building. A large, new building will
draw people.
2.
Activity. If all the members have an
activity, they will be happy campers. There is even a mathematical relationship
between groups and members to achieve for max results.
3.
Friendliness. “If the ushers are not
friendly, the best sermon will not do any good.” That sounds so much like
Calvin’s Holy Spirit visiting – or not appearing at all.
4.
Cell groups. “I don’t care what they
are using in their cell group, as long as they are in one.”
5.
Theater seats. Since Willow Creek
began in a movie theater, a rented cinema will be efficacious.
6.
Snacks and soda. Handing sodas and
snacks to incoming visitors may seem odd. But it is even stranger to hear
people munching popcorn during the prayers.
7.
Pool time. One pastor had young women
invite visitors to a pool party Sunday afternoon.
8.
Cloning Groeschel material. Rev. Craig
Groeschel allows people to use his sermons and graphics.
