Planted by Water

I’ve appreciated the responses that people made about the whole question of the Law.There have been a lot of thought-provoking questions and comments. I’d like to respond briefly to one made by Doug on my posting left on 12 Jan. He made a very valid and important point about not categorising and labelling people and stereotyping groups and movements such as reconstructionism. I think that is a good and timely reminder. I appreciate it, Doug

Equally I would say that in my concern about certain understandings among Christians about the role of the Law, about theonomy and about the cluster of teachings, emphases, values and prevailing moods that come under the broad umbrella of Reconstructionism, I am not so much concerned with the teachings of particular individuals. In one sense I am not especially concerned with all that James Jordan, or anyone, believes (in order to do that properly I’d have to read the bulk of all that he’d written and I don’t have the time or the inclination to do that). I hope that I have not misrepresneted him in citing him as an example of someone who is within the reconstructionist camp. I am certainly open to be corrected on that one. What I am concerned with, as a pastor and as a Christian concerned with the state of the church and the progress of the Kingdom, is with the winds of doctrine that are about at this time and that can knock us of course - wherever and whoever they are coming from. I want to address a certain kind of teaching and emphasis of doctrine about the Law and the possible wrong kind of politicising of the gospel, rather than to try to present a critique of particular writers (I would not claim to be qualified to do that). I am concerned that these prevailing winds may well be a distortion of the gospel and a distraction to our calling as the church. It is for that reason that I am appreciating this debate.

I hope that explains where I am coming from; I really do hope to say a little more about my thoughts on what the Bible teaches about the Law asap, but tomorrow I go down to teach the students at our College in Cardiff about some other matters and so I am trying to be faithful in focusing on my preparation for that.

Briefly, in response to another question that Doug asked - I am not convinced that the Bible does present us with an exhaustive social theory; I am not sure that it was ever meant to. I am inclined to believe that what it does give us are some very important, vital and clear principles that can definitley guide us and with which we can influence social policy, remembering that these guidelines are for an imperfect and fallen world and not a rigid utopian theory. This will help with a process of restoration that has begun, and that continues in our day but that will only be completed when Jesus returns. Oh, how I would love to get into that one more! - but my students will need me to do more of my preparation now!!