The State of Theology: Take It or Leave It

Ligonier ^ | 12/8/14 | Stephen Nichols

[SoFloFreeper]

One of the greatest book titles of the twentieth century declares rather simply: Ideas Have Consequences. Theological ideas also have consequences. Good theological ideas have good consequences. Bad ones have bad consequences.

It should come as no surprise, then, when we find that The State of Theology survey also reveals bad consequences in American culture and in American Christianity. The survey could have asked any number of questions on ethics. We asked one specific question regarding sex outside of marriage. Is sex outside of marriage a sin?

Before we get to the survey results, consider a few other questions we asked. We asked if the Bible has the authority to tell me what to do. This gets at one of the key issues of the modern age. Are we in the twenty-first century going to submit to a book that stretches back from the centuries BC and the first century AD? Will we submit to an ancient book? Less than half, 49%, say yes. That leaves slightly over half of Americans unwilling to submit. Two out of ten Americans rather strongly deny the Bible’s authority.

If we ask a more general question we get a better response. We asked if God has authority over people because he created human beings. We found that 61% agree.

So why the drop down when it comes to the Bible? It’s one thing to say God has authority. It’s another thing to get specific about what God has to say and what is specifically authoritative. The idea of something that tells me what to do in the particulars becomes too strong of a proposition.

And so we circle back to the question: Is sex outside of marriage a sin? 48% say it is. Over half are not willing to say so. And what about American evangelicals? What do they say? We should expect to see close to 100% agreement on this question. This is not a gray area. Scripture is rather clear that marriage is the exclusive domain for sex. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. We don’t see close to 100%. We see a quarter of evangelical Christians unwilling to agree with the plain teaching of the Bible on ethics.

To put the results of the survey rather directly: half of Americans do not care what the Bible says about ethics. And, a quarter of American evangelicals do not care what the Bible says about ethics. In other words, when it comes to the Bible and what the Bible has to say about life, we can take it or leave it. Many are leaving it.

The survey reveals Americans prefer a God of their own making over and above the holy and sovereign God of the Bible (see The State of Theology: The Taming of God). Americans prefer the Bible as merely a good book over and above the Bible as God’s authoritative and true Word (see The State of Theology: The Good Book). The survey reveals an ethic of our own choosing over and above the law and commands of God.

All that is to say, a bad theology means a bad ethic.

God has not made us as brains on a stick. We are not Spock-like creatures, with brains and reason only. Anyone who thinks Christian living or discipleship is exclusively about right thinking is wrong. Anyone who thinks the end of all living is merely right theology is wrong. Living matters. What we do matters. Our ethic matters. But our ethic and our lifestyle flow from our doctrine, from our right thinking.

It’s always helpful to gain some wisdom from the past. J. Gresham Machen was battling bad theology in American culture and in the American church in the early decades of the 1900s. He was even battling bad theology in the very seminary where he taught. These battles led him to write his classic text, Christianity & Liberalism, a book full of wisdom. One such sage observation is this: “We do not mean that if doctrine is sound it makes no difference about life. On the contrary, it makes all the difference in the world.” He then thunders, “If our doctrine be true, and our lives be wrong, how terrible is our sin!”

Both a good theology and a good ethic, both doctrine and lifestyle, constitute faithful Christianity. Like ham and eggs.

We, too, have our battles with bad theology and bad ethics in American culture and in American Christianity. Like Machen in his day, we need to take the same courageous stand in our day. We cannot afford to adopt a take it or leave it attitude when it comes to thinking about and obeying God’s Word. We must take it.

See also:

• The State of Theology: What’s Our Theological Temperature?
• The State of Theology: The Taming of God
• The State of Theology: Sin Is Not Cosmic Treason
• The State of Theology:  Heaven? Yes!  Hell, No.
• The State of Theology: The Good Book
• The State of Theology: Take It or Leave It

Dr. Stephen J. Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries.

[stylin19a]

Is sex outside of marriage a sin?

of course it is. I kinda agree with my dad, if I don't sin, did Christ die in vain ?

[SoFloFreeper]

You can’t not sin. But we don’t sin that grace may abound.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

If the question was "Does the Bible have the authority to tell me what to do?" then that's too vague a question to ask. Does the Bible have authority over whether I choose a Toyota or a Ford?

If the question was "Should the Bible have moral authority over what I do?" then that would be a much easier question to say 'Yes' to.

Also, I don't know if premarital sex comes under the heading of "theology". This seems more like practical ethics or morality. I believe that an entirely secular argument can be made against premarital sex. Adding that the Bible inveighs against it is important for Christians, but not for anyone else.

[SoFloFreeper]

Everything we do or think involves theology.

Whether we believe we are free to choose a Toyota or Ford, or if we think there is even a moral question involved therein has to do with, ultimately, our world view. We make choices based on how we view the world (and ourselves and God) at a particular time and place.

Don’t misunderstand me—I don’t necessarily believe every choice has to be weighted with the same significance or with severe gravity. I think God gives us parameters, however.

The Bible, I think, has significance for all men. Whether all men choose to accept it is another matter, isn’t it? :)

[who_would_fardels_bear]

We probably agree on this, but I would just state it a slightly different way. I think ethics is to theology the same way chemistry is to physics. All of chemistry is ultimately based on physics, but we don't need to understand quantum mechanics to know why salt dissolves in water. Similarly, the basis of our ethics is theology, but in some cases we can reason out what to do without having to delve down into the nature of the Holy Trinity, etc.

Whenever we can make a good philosophical argument to do the right thing, then not only do we provide another reason for Christians to behave properly, but we also create an opportunity for non-believers to behave properly and see that Christianity is a rational belief system that works today in the "real" world.

[SoFloFreeper]

I think I see what you’re saying. I think we are in agreement.

I do believe though, it has to go beyond ethics. In the end, our behavior isn’t salvific—we are in need of Christ.

As far as a “Christian” society, I think ethical behavior is appropriate, yet that won’t matter in eternity.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I guess I'm thinking of cases where it would be nice if non-Christians behaved less badly toward Christians. For example, not go out of their way to sue bakeries that won't bake wedding cakes for gay "marriage" receptions.

Of course if the plan is for Christians to be persecuted, then that's what's got to happen. Praise be to the Lord.

[unlearner]

That’s a big IF.

The answer would be no. Everyone else has sinned. So His death is not in vain.

If you were sinless your entire life, you would qualify entry into Heaven without needing forgiveness. But I have news for you and your dad.

All have sinned. (Romans 3:23) So, congratulations, you meet the qualifications for needing Christ’s sacrifice for your sins.

Specifically...

You shall not take God’s name in vain.
You shall not steal.
You shall not murder.
You shall not bear false witness.
You shall worship God alone, and no idols.

An so on.

The purpose of forgiveness is to take away sin, not to enable people to continue sinning without consequence. Those who truly receive God’s mercy, love God. They no longer have a desire to do things that displease Him.

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[wastoute]

There was a time in America when Christian behavior, demonstrated by Venn Diagram, was entirely inside legal behavior. That day is closing.

[stylin19a]

thank you.
my dad’s question and my post is rhetorical. It makes a point not asks a questions.

[Biggirl]

....Which is all comes down to LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor.

[Biggirl]

....Yet the good news of the Gospel still goes out to the four corners of the world.