r. Dorcas Gordon’s perspective on “Christ Alone” was nothing short of awkward. The flaw in her argument is that she assumes universal truth changes in different contexts. A Christian worldview would suggest that Christ is the truth personified, the only way to God, and thus, Christ alone is Lord and King of his Church.
Sadly, the smugness Dr. Gordon refers to reflects people who embrace a healthy orthodoxy. It is not by smugness that we trust in the doctrine of Christ alone; it is with humble reverence that we can even approach the God of this universe who revealed His mind to all people through the Holy Scriptures. How is it possible to have a doctrine of God completely shrouded in mystery when we have a text so exhaustive of what God is willing to reveal to us?
Dr. Gordon correctly notes that the religious climate in Canada is changing and we are beginning to see it in congregational life. We must also note that this is in a denomination that is on the decline. Within this denomination, I am not threatened to proclaim or examine the doctrine of Christ alone. But when the Presbyterian Church dies because Christ alone is replaced by contextual relevance, and when enrollment in our seminaries peters out because of contextual relevance; maybe some folk will be forced to admit that some truth is universal. God will still be God, Christ will still be the only way to the Father.
If all Christ alone means is living gospel values focused on love and acceptance, then we are also proclaiming works righteousness. Christ alone means risking our lives under the blood of the one true lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Without this truth, we have no hope to live by and no hope to offer. How ironic that this article arrived in week one of Advent, the week of hope!
Yours in Christ (& Christ alone),
About Darren May, Stayner, Ont.
You may like these posts
