Things of First-Importance

Why is it that Christian teachers feel the need to emphasize everything but the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Today specifically, I am talking about these teachers preaching about pre-destination and election or another part of the TULIP Calvinist theology. Of course I understand the need to proper theology. But is theology more important than God? I hear these people speak more about their election than I hear them speak about the Grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus or the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes I wonder if these teachers recognize that the only ones they are speaking to are those who already agree. The old saying that they are “preaching to the choir” is appropriate. Has anyone come into the Kingdom because they found out about Limited Atonement? I’m curious what they think good teaching looked like before Calvin.

Don’t get me wrong – I am not anti-Calvin. I grew up in a Presbyterian Church and so understand the importance of Calvin’s thoughts in the development of the faith. I agree with some and disagree with others (Personally, my least favorite teaching from Calvin was his view of debt, but that is for another day). My point isn’t to argue Calvinism vs. Arminianism. It’s to argue for the teaching of the Gospel, the teaching of Justification (getting right with God) and Sanctification (growing in holiness – becoming more like Jesus), the teaching of the Trinity, being Christ-Centered, the Attributes of God, etc. The list is so large of the things that will build the Kingdom and disciple believers that you can speak for years on these things and never have to repeat the same teaching twice!

The fact that most of the people in the United States are no longer Biblical Christians should be enough to cause every Christian teacher to preach the Gospel message every time they speak. The fact that most of the people going to Christian Churches in the United States live no differently and look no differently than non-Christians should be enough to cause every Christian teacher to preach the difference between those who are being saved and those who are not. Not enough Christians realize that we can either live by the Spirit or live by the flesh and that these things are opposites, incongruous and impossible to do at the same time.

If you are a Christian and you struggled with some of the concepts above, it is probably time to find a teacher who is more interested in growing your faith. For those teachers who insist that they should continue to preach about your pet theological argument, I pray that you remember your calling to baptize them and teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. Everything else is good, but not of first-importance.