John Piper preached a message at the T4G that I attended last week entitled, Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel? I found the message extremely helpful in seeing how Jesus taught justification. The argument has been made that Jesus had a certain message and that Paul “embellished” on it to a point that Jesus never intended by adding the idea of being justified by faith alone. Therefore, this issue strikes at the very heart of the Gospel and the authority of the Bible in general.
Dr. Piper argued from Luke 18:9-14 that Jesus taught the imputation of his righteousness comes by grace alone through faith alone.
T4G 2010 — Session 6 — John Piper from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.
This is an interesting topic. Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels always seems harder than Paul. I always thought Paul’s teaching was that of Jesus because it was confirmed by Peter and the leaders of the very early church and, Luke who wrote Luke (lots of the words of Jesus) and Acts (traveled extensively with Paul) probably would have had something to say to Paul if he was changing the message.
I wonder if the problem was that Jesus did not have a fully developed soteriology. It hadn’t happened yet. Jesus did have the Law of Moses as the stipulations, the rites, and the Holy days pointing to present and future work.
This is a ridiculous state of affairs for Christianity. Jesus the ‘son of God’ would have known the claimed ‘Redemptive Value’ of the Cross. I am sure everyone will agree so far? If you agree, why is it that He NEVER MENTIONED about this, BOTH pre and post redirection? He taught salvation through SANCTIFICATION which a HARD PATH to our redemption. Paul instead preached the opposite – EASY PATH through GRACE. Tell me, why did Jesus tell the rich man who wanted ETERNAL LIFE, to sell everything and to follow Him? He knew that He was going to be crucified. Didn’t He? If so, He could have said to the rich man:
“Wait for me to die and then
you will be saved by grace”.
Come on, DO NOT read into Jesus’ message, what is NOT THERE. Seeking the kingdom of God by REPENTENCE and DOING OF COMMANDMENTS with LOVE in our hearts and FAITH is the HARD WAY which was and is, HIS WAY.
Amen
Jay
Jay, thanks for your comment. A couple of questions to help me know what exactly is your root objection. (1. Do you believe that placing one’s faith in Christ (His life, death, and resurrection) is the sole basis for realizing/achieving the righteous standards that God the Father outlined in the first Covenant? (2. Do you believe that Paul was in error in his writing regarding the Gospel of Christ? (3. Do you believe the Bible is inspired of God and the sole authority for life and practice? Thanks.