Comments on: How's Your Mark's Gospel Study?

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 13:49:59 +0000

I read this neat list of Discipleship in Mark’s Gospel: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/euangelion/2012/07/hans-bayer-on-discipleship-in-mark/

1. Surrender
2. Obedient trust
3. Prayer
4. Watching over our hearts
5. Humility
6. Forgiveness
7. Perseverance in temptation and persecution
8. Courageous confession of Christ

A major problem in the church is an overemphasis on power, rather than weakness: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/euangelion/2012/07/hans-bayer-on-discipleship-in-mark/

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:49:56 +0000

Thanks, Mike. Regarding “works oriented,” Martin Luther said that every man’s default, including every Christian’s default, is toward religion, which is what man must do, or “works righteousness.” Then our work in church and for the church becomes our identity, or our center. We equate Christ with our Christian work which then becomes our righteousness. As someone said, “We do the work of the Lord, forgetting the Lord of the work.” Our Christian work functionally becomes our idol, as John Calvin said that our hearts are idol factories.

If our work is a response to the grace of Jesus, then our right hand won’t know what our left hand is doing (Matt 6:3). But if our work is not really a response to grace, we’ll get upset if our work is not praised, or recognized, or appreciated, etc.

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:40:29 +0000

Thanks, Oscar. When the gospel is presented as “advice” instead of “good news,” it can be quite “off-putting,” as you said.

I like this statement of yours: ” It’s great that I don’t have to do anything, but at the same time I don’t want to do nothing.” When I realized that Jesus did it all for me, then like you, “I don’t want to do nothing.”

But when I am pushed to do something, then it is no longer the “gospel,” or “good news,” or what Jesus has done for us. When I am pushed to do anything, then it becomes “advice.” The gospel is not advice, but news–the most wonderful news in the world, as you implied that the gospel is “Jesus plus nothing.”

By: Ben Toh

Ben Toh — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:33:21 +0000

Thanks, John. Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Thus, for my salvation, I don’t have to do anything. Further more, I can’t do anything for my salvation. Jesus did it all.

It’s like if I love my wife I don’t have to be forced to do something for her, but I want to do something, anything to please her. Likewise, if the gospel is presented as “good news,” indeed the best news ever, then I will want to do all things because of all that Jesus has done for me. But if the gospel is presented as “advice,” then, as you said, “I need to DO SOMETHING lest I be a bad Christian.”

By: Michael Nuccio

Michael Nuccio — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:44:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing this review Dr. Ben. I have also been in a “works-oriented” church. And when I am not going about busily doing “works” for God or even just participating heavily in church activities I feel sorry about my Christian life.

One thing I do you wish you could talk about more is the area when you mentioned our works are a response to grace. Is this area personal to each individual’s grace in their lives? Can you talk more about the response to grace aspect and how it relates to our works.

By: Oscar

Oscar — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:52:35 +0000

Great article. I just read a book called “The Naked Gospel.” In it the author said he started off with the mindset that he was saved so he had to work hard to help others and preach the gospel. He ended exhausted and feeling far from God. Anyway, his message is very similar, “Jesus plus nothing.” As he says, and as I’ve heard others say as well, our works are a response to Grace. I like how you said “You better be like Jesus and SERVE and GIVE YOUR LIFE, you lazy selfish sinner!” Of course it’s never said, but it sure is implied, and that is very off-putting to me. It’s great that I don’t have to do anything, but at the same time I don’t want to do nothing. It gives me great peace to know that God loves me so much and gives me this freedom in Christ. Of course, it’s my job not to indulge in sinful stuff. Being in a ministry that emphasises works I sometimes feel bad that I don’t work the way others do. But then again we are each given different gifts and talents. In response to your question: though I haven’t taught the bible yet (if I will at all I don’t know, I don’t particulary feel called towards it) I think I’d take an approach similar to what Keller and others I’ve read are proposing. Thank you for a great book review. I think I might just pick it up. If I can find it at a closing Borders that would be an even sweeter deal!

By: John

John — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:37:04 +0000

Thank you for this post as it had plenty of things for me to think about. In particular, I found myself challenged by “The Gospel” section of your post. As I read this part,I find it difficult to wrap my head around the concept that I don’t have to do anything/ I can do nothing for God or the gospel, especially when it’s been ingrained in my head, from church and family members, that I need to DO SOMETHING lest I be a bad Christian.

By: david bychkov

david bychkov — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:34:27 +0000

I’m now reassessing and tweaking how do I understand the whole Bible, Christian Doctrine and life. :). thank you, Dr. Ben. I’m following Mark’s Gospel right now and I will take a look on your notes.