I did wonder, when writing the previous post, how long it would take for some to say that I am blowing the whole
thing out of proportion. Certainly, there should be nothing to fear when writing about a final salvation by works. Anyone who would question that is just insincere and cruel.
I intended to let this rest, but since Mark Jones has decided to dig in his heals about the matter, and attempt turn it back on me, I think it’s important for
readers to think through whether this is so easily “wrapped up” when the sheep are now being confused about the gospel. Mr. Lewis is not the only one to express his concerns.
Unfortunately, this
whole thing now has become something of a playground on Facebook to downplay
the whole concern, so now I’m forced to respond.
Mark wrote a very nice post at the
Calvinist International. He told everyone that he plans to meet with Mr. Lewis
when he travels all the way out to Cape Town in December. He then went on to
affirm some things that were very encouraging for all concerned. Great. It was
pastoral. It was considerate. One of the kinder online moments I’ve ever seen from
Mark Jones. He seemed to take seriously what was asked of him. So I publicly
thanked him.
From there, however, things went quickly south. It
was brought to my attention that on his public Facebook page Mark and his
friends are saying that I have blown this whole thing way out of proportion. Suggestions
were made that my entire post was uncalled for, that I was reading way too much into Mr. Lewis' letter. Jones has made it clear that we should not worry, that Gen. 50:20 has prevailed, that this was all meant for evil but God meant it for good. Intentions appear to be questioned, but whatever
the case, this is not a "Gotcha" moment. My motive is to protect the sheep from confusing doctrines about justification and salvation. The reader will remember that I
rebuked myself in the piece too.
I think it’s time to hear from Mr. Lewis. He reached out to me and gave me full permission to use what he wrote. Here are the most helpful of his own words:
Dear Chris,
I needed time to measure my response to all that I have read over the past few days, so my apology to you for only making a comment now...
Thank you, thank you that at last I understand , and now know, that there are people out there who understand the importance of clarity, and clarity in feeding His sheep. Nothing has changed about the Gospel since our Lord and Saviour walked amongst us and proclaimed it to not only His own, who rejected it, but to also the Gentiles so that none could deny, that Jesus Christ is Lord!
As I understand it, faith is the only and most precious and vital aspect of our acceptance of a relationship with God, how could it be anything different? Surely even John Piper must understand this basic tenet, maybe one day either here on earth or in heaven I will meet him and have a really good chat about this. You, quite rightly have pointed out the importance of clarity, the importance of simplicity, especially to folks such as myself, who really is only trying His very best to understand with what may be the last few years of life on this earth that my walk with Christ, this person whom I follow daily will honour His word.
I have to add, that since coming to faith, I’ve devoted myself to sharing the Gospel, this good news of Jesus Christ to all who may come into my sphere of influence…. I have no problem whatsoever to you adding this to your comments section of your article if you deem it worthwhile.
Thank you Chris, thank you for being a soothing calming sound, to my pounding heart.
Warmest regards
John Lewis.
This brother in “what may be the last few years of his life” is trying to understand how to have a comfortable walk with his savior and understand his word. It is tragic that a brother is saying these ideas are confusing about the gospel, to which he has now devoted his life, and which he is committed to sharing with others. Instead of Jones (who recognizes the confusion is big enough that he needs to fly to South Africa to help him), simply saying, “I’m not being clear, I wounded a sheep, I repent,” he is attempting to downplay the situation and now blame me. Why not just admit his teaching on salvation is causing confusion? I recognize how hard that would be, for it would force him to reckon with the pastoral consequences of what he is teaching. This strikes the jugular when it comes to what we do as pastors.
Here is Jones assessment:
Here is Jones assessment:
“Mr. Lewis was not upset as Chris is”
and,
“Mr. Gordon made a huge leap that was nowhere near Mr. Lewis's mind. In fact, he made a whole post out of a comment where Mr. Lewis was decidedly not lacking assurance”
and,
“I found it interesting that Chris assumed that "given me much to meditate upon" = "I might not be saved when I die!. Hardly seemed a natural and obvious jump.”
Dear reader, did you hear the relief in Lewis' comments above in being reassured that the gospel has not changed? Did I unfairly leap in suggesting that the consequences of this confusion may lead Mr. Lewis to reach his death bed in doubt?
Mr. Lewis once had a confidence in saying, “I was saved at 61”--here it comes--“when I came to understand the selfless act and blood sacrifice of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” Now he is hearing something that seems to challenge the “vital aspect of our acceptance with God." He’s concerned enough that he sees a direct connection to the very Reformation Luther began, ironically. And that concern is fair, especially when Mr. Lewis reads at Desiring God things like the following:
For instance, does the reader think any of these discussions sound like #22 of Norman Shepherd's Thesis:
Mr. Lewis' concerns are illustrative of many who are reading this post right now with keen interest. Why? Because everyone knows there is indeed a controversy. Different things are being said. It’s evident. We are not all in agreement. Now what does that imply? Well, if one cares about the truth and has not made this whole thing an MMA kind of event, defending their heroes, they will need to make a decision if the Bible teaches we are saved by our works, and what the consequences of such ideas will be in the life of the sheep who read this finely nuanced debate. Isn't that the issue? And isn't that the heart of my concern?
So I believe its really important that all of us, including me, hear Mr. Lewis' plea for clarity. If we disregard such a plea, I fear that Mr. Lewis' represents the major clean up we all will soon be faced with in the Reformed world if we continue to confuse the role and place of good works in salvation. All those studying for ministry, who haven't yet worked as a pastor in helping the sheep understand the gospel, need to think about what they are getting into and what they are defending.
But what about being saved by faith alone? You're not. You're justified through faith alone. Final salvation comes through justification and sanctification--both initiated and sustained by God's grace.Huh? Salvation not by faith alone, but through faith alone, but final salvation by justification and sanctification? What a jumbled mess. Does Jones defend that? Well, Jones has certainly taken it upon himself to defend Piper’s ambiguities and interject ideas that the Reformed world has been addressing for sometime, ideas that came out of Federal Vision theology and elsewhere.
For instance, does the reader think any of these discussions sound like #22 of Norman Shepherd's Thesis:
The righteousness of Jesus Christ ever remains the exclusive ground of the believer’s justification, but the personal godliness of the believer is also necessary for his justification in the judgment of the last day (Matt. 7:21-23; 25:31-46; Heb. 12:14).Is Mr. Lewis way off base in hearing these men add something to the “vital aspect of our acceptance with God?” And Jones wonders why I would propose a possible situation of doubt on his deathbed when these men are talking about good works as causes of salvation? Really? Seriously? Is that something blown way out of proportion that no one else sees?
Mr. Lewis' concerns are illustrative of many who are reading this post right now with keen interest. Why? Because everyone knows there is indeed a controversy. Different things are being said. It’s evident. We are not all in agreement. Now what does that imply? Well, if one cares about the truth and has not made this whole thing an MMA kind of event, defending their heroes, they will need to make a decision if the Bible teaches we are saved by our works, and what the consequences of such ideas will be in the life of the sheep who read this finely nuanced debate. Isn't that the issue? And isn't that the heart of my concern?
So I believe its really important that all of us, including me, hear Mr. Lewis' plea for clarity. If we disregard such a plea, I fear that Mr. Lewis' represents the major clean up we all will soon be faced with in the Reformed world if we continue to confuse the role and place of good works in salvation. All those studying for ministry, who haven't yet worked as a pastor in helping the sheep understand the gospel, need to think about what they are getting into and what they are defending.
As I said
before, what Mr. Lewis has done for us is take our internet debates over these things to the heart of what
we do as pastors in helping real, struggling, sinful people know how they can
be right with God, something pastors are supposed to care most about.
I pray for Mark Jones in traveling across
the sea, that he will hear Mr. Lewis plea for clarity, that he will not become a robber
of the confidence that he has Christ. May Pastor Jones sweetly console this brother with
the finished work of Jesus. We should all desire and seek for this together.