The lost Message of Chalke

Rev Steve Chalke

In 2004, Steve Chalke found out 'The misplaced Message of Jesus' and posted his booklet with that identify. Fifteen years later he has found out 'The lost Message of Paul', and this month publishes a book with that title.

this is a straightforward to examine, and neatly-written booklet – a whole lot superior stylistically than the past work. As all the time with Chalke the book can be described as 'controversial' and should satisfaction some (like Rob Bell and Brian McLaren) and appall others. From a private point of view I found that The lost Message of Paul contained some unique guidance, provocative arguments, challenging questions and historical heresies.

Steve argues that 'all the historic narratives are dead' and that we need a 'new story'. He blames Augustine, Luther and Calvin for getting Paul's message incorrect. however his new story suffers from some important defects.

Biblically Inaccurate

Amongst the other earth shattering revelations, we are counseled that Paul turned into no longer a Christian – "it's a mistake to treat Paul as a Christian. Paul wasn't a Christian. He become a Jew". here's unfortunately all too general of the vogue that Chalke employs – make a shocking observation in accordance with a false dichotomy and there are some who will say 'wow'!

but others who know their Bibles will realize that this certain theological emperor has no outfits. King Agrippa assumed that Paul become a Christian and that he become trying to make him one (Acts 26:28).

Chalke's error is to overlook that you just may also be both a Jew and a Christian (as lots of the very early Christians had been). certainly you could argue that Paul was amongst the very first to be called a Christian. "And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for an entire 12 months Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught fantastic numbers of people. The disciples have been known as Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

traditionally Hysterical

If the biblical knowing is all over the place, the ancient is even worse. for example, Chalke tells us that the go handiest all started to appear as a logo of Christianity in the 5th Century. but we've clear evidence of the pass getting used as a symbol of Christianity from the 2nd Century. The Octavius of Minucius Felix, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian all mention the cross as a Christian symbol – lengthy earlier than the fifth Century.

if you are looking to recognize what Luther, Calvin and Augustine concept and taught – do not read this book!

Theologically smug

As for the theological – it all depends on who you're paying attention to. in response to Chalke "every person agrees" that the Lutheran viewpoint on Paul, Judaism, religion and works changed into essentially deceptive. Luther became wrong to argue for justification by means of religion on my own. all and sundry? John Piper? Sinclair Ferguson? Philip Jenson? John Stott? Amy Orr-Ewing? Billy Graham? Al Mohler? each person?!

The arrogance is breathtaking. Luther, Calvin, Augustine, the Creeds and many of the Church didn't keep in mind religion, the go or judgement – even Tom Wright receives it incorrect. however not ever fear, Steve Chalke has now discovered it. this is, to claim the least, a daring claim!

The conceitedness doesn't stop with ancient figures though. Steve is aware of greater than Jesus, Paul, David, John and the different authors of the Bible – they were interestingly unaware that God isn't to be spoke of with a gender particular pronoun. really, one wonders how Steve even is aware of what Paul thinks, or what he did, because Steve isn't sure that Paul truly wrote many of the letters attributed to him.

This uncertainty results in a decide on 'n' mix theology all over the booklet – the Bible isn't the infallible note of God, God can not be wrath and love; there is no original sin; Adam and Eve is a delusion; the atonement is "a pre-Christian pagan concept"; Hell has no region in Paul's message. The lost Message of Paul – seems a mirror picture of The lost Message of Jesus.

Strawmen

Tim Keller has a wise word for these of us who engage in communicate and discussion. When we're arguing towards something, we should still at all times cope with the best of their case – now not the worst. it's a standard 'worldly' trick to set up strawmen which are handy to demolish. The misplaced Message of Paul is populated with ample such strawmen to fill a field.

One example is Chalke's mischaracterisation of those who dangle to justification by means of religion. He describes our definition of religion as being "the potential to hold to a particular set of intellectual positions". now not probably the most americans Chalke demonises holds to that position. Nor do they hold to the view that religion is in a group of ideas as Chalke claims. Biblical religion is in a person – Jesus Christ.

This setting up of strawmen is the top-quality weak point of the booklet – "religion from an historic Protestant factor of view, becomes whatever thing that you're either born with – respectable information for you – or no longer – unhealthy for you". I have read many 'old Protestants' and have yet to come back across one who thinks that faith is some thing you're born with.

The reality

there's one enviornment the place I strongly believe Chalke – we should still now not in basic terms use the Bible to proclaim our own pre-conceived views.

He rightly states that "anyone who makes absolutist claims according to what they declare to be the technicalities of the Greek language, is basically comfortably being disingenuous" – the best problem is that he says this after simply spending three chapters making absolutist claims in keeping with what he claims to be the technicalities of the Greek language!

We should still now not "force our preconceived cultural assumptions on to this spectacular first century pioneer". And yet we locate that The lost Message of Paul astonishingly displays precisely what Steve and 21st Century liberals are worried about – homophobia, Islamaphobia, climate exchange and so forth.

He additionally rightly warns about taking a number of verses out of context and "the use of them as a prop for his or her personal pre-developed ideas. It nonetheless occurs".  indeed it does. This booklet is a main instance.

"If we respect the Bible we can not easily use it as an echo chamber to amplify our personal options and opinions." that's what I find fairly uncomfortable about the Bible. I have my own opinions and views and infrequently I find that the Bible does not trust me! but my opinions will also be incorrect, God's word certainly not is – and it is wrong of me to choose the observe of God and take a look at to make it swimsuit my very own, social and political beliefs. when you remove the certainty of the observe of God, all you're left with is your own opinions (or others).

The lost Message of Chalke

In conclusion, this e-book begins smartly in that it discusses Paul and his context, however through the conclusion, Paul is eliminated to the sidelines, as the misplaced message of Steve Chalke takes centre stage. Paul retreats into the heritage as Steve discusses his ideas of heaven and hell, the wiring of the mind and what 'salvation' basically potential. Paul barely receives a glance in.

Chalke rightly warns that bad theology prices lives. indeed it does - a theology which takes faraway from the Bible, leads away from the Christ of the Bible, and eventually is not any Gospel in any respect.

Chalke's misplaced Message is a twenty first century achievement of what Paul warned the 1st century Galatian church about: "i'm astonished that you are so promptly deserting the one who known as you to reside in the grace of Christ and are turning to a unique gospel – which is truly no gospel at all. naturally some individuals are throwing you into confusion and try to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7)

My hope and prayer is that Steve Chalke will flip lower back to the Gospel he as soon as believed, and use his considerable presents in the service of the true Christ and his message. If we follow Chalke's misplaced Message we are able to no longer handiest lose the message of Paul, however we can additionally lose the message of Christ. i will be able to think of nothing more tragic and lethal.

David Robertson is a minister within the Free Church of Scotland. He blogs at www.theweeflea.com