(Revised, March 30, 2012)
Grace
and Gray Areas
Joe R. Price
Charles Swindoll wants to expose what he calls “grace killers.” He says the
“grace killer” acts in ways which destroy grace. According to Swindoll, if you
want to be a grace killer, do this:
“...leave no room for any gray areas. Everything is either black or white, right
or wrong. And as a result, the leader maintains strict control over the
followers. Fellowship is based on whether there is full agreement. Herein lies
the tragedy. This self-righteous, rigid standard becomes more important than
relationships with individuals. We first check out where people stand on the
issues, and then we determine whether we will spend much time with them. The
bottom line is this: We want to be right (as we see it, of course) more than we
want to love our neighbor as ourselves. At that point our personal preferences
eclipse any evidence of love. I am of the firm conviction that where grace
exists, so must various areas of gray.” (The Grace Awakening, Charles R.
Swindoll, 52-53)
Some brethren duplicate this argument in an attempt to persuade us that unity in
doctrinal diversity is not only allowed, but endorsed by God. Brethren are being
convinced that when it comes to so-called “less clear, more difficult” New
Testament passages and doctrines we should content ourselves with saying “this
is what I believe to be the truth” rather than boldly proclaiming, this is the
truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:2). A sharp contrast exists between preaching that
focuses on what I believe and boldly preaching what God said (Acts 4:13, 29, 31;
9:29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:14; 1 Ths. 2:2). When we
preach we must “hold fast the pattern of sound words” with all boldness (2 Tim.
1:13; Acts 4:29).
Some despise their brethren for boldly preaching God’s word on “difficult”
subjects. We hear statements like, “Who are you to think that you have arrived
at the final, definitive truth on this subject?”, and “Do you have 100% perfect
knowledge?” Whether intentional or not, boldness is disparaged while uncertainty
is exalted. This should not be so! “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke
with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Tit. 2:15). We must appeal to the
authority of Christ in the New Testament as the basis for our faith and its bold
proclamation.
Brethren who appeal to and apply 2 John 9-11 to difficult subjects (like
marriage, divorce and remarriage and other moral issues) are accused of being
intolerant church-splitters and grace killers. Such accusations are false.
“Everything is either black or white, right or wrong”
Please tell us dear brother, you who would allow gray areas in “the gospel of
the grace of God”, what are the gray areas (Acts 20:24)? Romans 14 is
immediately offered. But that passage teaches liberty over scruples of personal
conscience that are indifferent to God; matters that are morally neutral in
God’s sight (Rom. 14:3-5, 14, 18, 20, 22; cf. 1 Cor. 8:8). We are taught there
not to dispute over such doubtful things, but rather receive one another (Rom.
14:1, 13; 15:7). A close study of Romans 14:1-15:7 convinces us we cannot use it
to justify ongoing fellowship with doctrinal error and immorality. 2 John 9-11
establishes such fellowship to be sinful; Romans 14 does not contradict that
truth. So please identify for us the “black and white” of the gospel as well as
the “gray areas” of divine revelation. Beware: Every attempt to do so reveals a
distorted view of grace (Gal. 1:6-10).
“Fellowship is based on whether there is full agreement”
We must agree with the apostles of Christ to have fellowship with God (1 Jno.
1:1-4; 4:1-6). Men may agree with one another in error and go beyond the
doctrine of Christ do “not have God” (2 Jno. 9). We must be in agreement with
Christ before agreement with others means anything. Proper fellowship among
brethren is based on each one first being in fellowship with God (1 Jno. 1:3-4,
7).
We are accused of demanding perfect knowledge when we appeal to the “doctrine of
Christ” as our absolute and final guide for fellowship with God and each other
(2 Jno. 9). Such a charge is misleading and inaccurate. God expects every
Christian to mature and abound in knowledge and discernment (Phil. 1:9-10). The
babe in Christ (though far from possessing mature knowledge) is certainly in
fellowship with God (1 Pet. 2:1-3). But the babe in Christ can and must put away
sin in order to have fellowship with God and grow to maturity (1 Pet. 2:1-2).
Every Christian is expected to grow in knowledge and come to maturity in Christ
(Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 5:11-6:3). Dear brother, if you disagree with this then show
your love for us and tell us on which of the revealed teachings of Christ we may
disagree and still have fellowship with Christ (2 Jno. 9). Beware: Whoever pits
God’s grace against God’s word is not teaching you the truth (Acts 20:24, 32;
Jude 3-4).
“This self-righteous, rigid standard becomes more important than relationships
with individuals”
The most important standard to Christians is the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17;
Col. 3:17). Relationships with men may exist that do not have God’s approval (2
John 10-11; Eph. 5:8-11). God’s standard of truth has been revealed to protect
us from sin and to afford us proper relationships with our brethren. Appealing
only to the doctrine of Christ to approve our fellowship is not being
“self-righteous”, but safe (Phil. 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:12-15). Beware: Those who
emphasize God’s grace to the diminishing of absolute truth are perverting the
gospel of Christ (Matt. 7:21-23; Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 1:22-25).
“We first check out where people stand on the issue”
Are we not under divine command to do exactly that? “If anyone comes to you and
does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him,
for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” (2 John 10-11; cf. 1 Cor.
1:11-13; 3 John 4, 11) If they are in error they do not have God! Beware: Those
who resist and refuse testing teachers to see whether they are of God will
tolerate false doctrine and false teachers (1 Jno. 4:1, 6).
“Where grace exists, so must various areas of gray”
Calvinists such as Charles Swindoll believe God’s grace allows the toleration of
doctrinal differences (Ibid, 231-233). Judging by their fellowship with those
who teach and practice error, so do an increasing number of brethren. They
object when we appeal to absolute truth as the pattern we must follow. Yet,
these brethren cannot have it both ways. If absolute truth exists then it is
consistent with grace, not contrary to it (Acts 20:24, 32; Titus 2:11-14). If
grace allows us to tolerant doctrinal differences then there is no absolute
standard of truth to be applied. Which will it be, brethren?
The Calvinist has already told us his position; He rejects doctrinal absolutes.
To him, if we call for doctrinal absolutes we are “grace killers”. However,
Christ’s apostle said, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not!” (Rom. 6:1) We will follow the steps of the Savior – not the
steps of the Calvinist (Jno. 8:12; 14:6; 1 Jno. 2:5-6; Gal. 1:10).