Gospel-Centeredness

by Sep 7, 2009Piety

I went to the Bob Jones University Faculty/Staff opening meeting this year with real excitement, more than ever in the nine times I’ve gone.

Yes, heavy hors d’oeuvres were on their way, including my annual shrimp dosage. But somehow I felt that something even better would happen.

It did. Stephen Jones, president of BJU and a sincerely godly man, made “Living in Light of the Gospel” the theme for the year. Last year’s theme put feet to the truth. This year’s theme gives the feet the energy they need to move.

I’m excited about this theme because gospel-centeredness is, in my estimation, another way of saying God-centeredness. Gospel-driven sanctification is a way of orienting our focus on the resources available to us in divine grace.

Pastors who focus on duty to the exclusion of grace can create pathologies in people. I’ve seen it. Pastors who focus on grace to the exclusion of obedience… Well, I’m too young to have seen that, but equal pathologies are likely possible. I believe both sides fail to understand that grace brings with it a regenerating power. God’s grace forgives, but it also renovates—and it will not fail to do either.

“Putting Feet to the Truth” and “Living in Light of the Gospel” are two complementary themes.

Here are a few articles on gospel-centeredness that in general look helpful.

Read More 

What is Your Position on Complementarianism and Egalitarianism?

What is Your Position on Complementarianism and Egalitarianism?

A female professor of Christian ministry just sent me a survey to fill out. I don't consider myself an expert in this area, but I certainly have tried to be responsible—this is one of those places where the battle over truth is fiercest in my generation. Here were my...

Does “By Faith We Understand” (Heb 11:3) Have It Backwards?

Does “By Faith We Understand” (Heb 11:3) Have It Backwards?

A Christian friend who struggles with doubt recently wrote me asking why I chose the name of long-time blog, byfaithweunderstand.com. Today I was thinking again about those four words “by faith we understand” and I feel a physical reaction to it. It’s hard to swallow...

The Truth about Marijuana

Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence by Alex BerensonMy rating: 5 of 5 starsFor every book there is an equal and opposite book. I read Smoke Signals by Martin Lee in preparation for my own small coauthored book, Can I Smoke Pot?...

Leave a comment.

0 Comments