Gospel of Jesus Christ? Usually when I post something, I try to make it look official – give it a title, sign it MPJ, and preserve my reputation as at least somewhat serious, rather than admit that I’m often just sitting on the back deck mumbling into my phone while old cartoons roll by. Tonight, however, you’re getting the mumbled version. I’m out here winding down after work, watching the sun go down, and I just finished a Flintstones reel. I’ve joked before that Fred Flintstone may have played a key role in teaching me English. I was born in Germany, came here when I was eight, and if my grammar is ever questionable, we may have to blame Fred, Barney, and whatever else was on television in the 1970s. Anyway, FB keeps showing me the same advertisement for a gospel tract. Every time it comes on, it begins with the words: “THIS IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.” That line alone is enough to put me on edge. The reel is by Paul Washer. I know the name, but not much more than that. Maybe I’d agree with him on some things, maybe not – I really don’t know. But the whole setup already has me nervous, not because I’ve heard the message, but because I’ve heard that tone before. That solemn, authoritative, “this is the gospel” tone, which usually means I’m about to be handed a fresh bundle of conditions, warnings, and spiritual measuring tapes. And I’ll just say this: whenever somebody steps forward and announces, “This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” in that sort of thunderous, final way, I instinctively reach for my helmet. Because far too often what follows has less to do with good news for sinners, and much more to do with a carefully arranged system of religious demands and warnings designed to leave a man staring at himself instead of Christ. And I haven’t even listened to the rest of the reel yet. I’m almost afraid to hit play. This may end badly.
Okay, I just listened to the rest of it, and here is the transcript: “It’s The Gospel of Jesus Christ by Paul Washer. It’s a tract to keep in your car, your gym bag, for when you get unexpected opportunities to share the gospel. Most gospel tracts are short – they walk through the Romans Road and that’s it. This tract is different. It’s 48 pages long and walks through the entire gospel: the holiness of God, the depth of sin, the work of Christ, faith, biblical assurance, and even how to find a faithful church. It’s short enough to read in one setting, but also substantial enough to disciple someone, but most importantly it’s faithful to God’s Word. Paul Washer has dedicated his life to studying and sharing the gospel. This is the fruit of his labor. Readers keep stacks of these in their cars and hand them out in addiction counseling, in hospital waiting rooms, and in maximum-security prisons. And over a million copies are now in circulation. Order a 10-pack for $25 or a 100-pack for $150 at RHB.org.”
Having now listened to the advertisement, I will say this much: on the surface, nothing in it sounds terribly controversial. It speaks of the holiness of God, the depth of sin, the work of Christ, faith, assurance, and even finding a faithful church. None of that, by itself, strikes me as particularly troubling. But I still think we ought to be careful about calling all of that “the entire gospel,” as though the gospel of Jesus Christ were a 48-page religious package that includes not only Christ crucified for sinners, but also a full framework for assurance, discipleship, and church placement.
Those things may all have their place, but the gospel itself is glad tidings concerning what God has done in His Son for sinners who have nothing to plead but mercy. It is not every true thing that can be said about the Christian life, and it is not improved by turning it into a carefully arranged system. And if I’m being honest, the phrase that still makes me nervous is “biblical assurance.” Not because assurance is unimportant, but because that is often where a person gets turned back in upon himself. Instead of being directed simply to Christ, he is now taught to examine the quality of his repentance, the sincerity of his faith, and the evidences of his conversion, until what began as good news gives way to bondage and self-examination. Maybe that is not where this tract goes, and if so I’m glad to be corrected. But I have heard enough of that tone over the years to know why it still puts me on edge whenever somebody announces, with thunderous certainty, “This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” I’m probably going to regret staying up this late. 4:00 a.m. comes early. Marc
PostScript: A friend replied: ‘Paul Washer, is a Lordship Salvation preacher.’ Interesting. To be honest, I’ve heard the term “Lordship Salvation” for a number of years, but I’ve never really taken the time to dig into what people actually mean by it, and part of me wishes I had. At the same time, I’m already chasing more rabbit trails than I know what to do with, so I’m not sure I need another one at the moment. I actually woke up this morning half regretting that I even posted this, because I really don’t want to spend my time writing critical things or concentrating on the negative side of religion. But sometimes the irony of it all is just hard to ignore. And I do think the Lord teaches us through all sorts of experiences, people, errors, entanglements, and strange seasons of life. It really is an ongoing clinic. Looking back, there are things I got caught up in too, and I’m thankful the Lord uses even those things to teach us something and bring us out the other side a little wiser, or at least a little more suspicious of ourselves. As for Paul Washer and all the rest, I really don’t want to speak derogatorily about men who, as far as I know, are trying to navigate Christ the best they know how. But at the same time, I do think it’s fair — and sometimes necessary — to point out inconsistencies, especially when it comes to the gospel itself. And yes, this is actually my third little Reformed critique in about a week. I saw an ad for Squirrely Joe coffee a couple of days ago and already started writing down some thoughts, so it may be hard not to post that one too. Have a good day brother, and as always, thanks for reading. Marc