Hebrews 5:12–14 (ESV)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Okay, I have a tougher question. This might even take a while to explain.
Imagine that you’re a defendant in court and you know you’re guilty.
Hmmm. I already see an analogy building.
Suppose further, you get off on a technicality. You’re free to go; your guilt is erased.
I definitely see an analogy.
Okay, good. Here’s my problem. I can imagine two polar-opposite reactions. One is you say, “See ya,” and walk out—free as a bird. Your guilt is gone.
Makes sense.
The other is that your sense of guilt is made worse by your acquittal. You’ve missed out on a sort of catharsis, and your conscience is now screaming at you.
You’re describing Martin Luther.
I didn’t know that. Let’s keep going.
My problem is that the gospel is presented to appeal to the “see ya” mentality. It’s described as you getting off scot-free despite being guilty, and you’re just supposed to sing and dance and celebrate.
That contradicts everything you’ve been saying about how Christianity is properly understood. Fealty to Jesus as Lord means not taking His Lordship lightly.
Furthermore, how can that “se ya” attitude possibly glorify God?
My good friend, you have just wandered into the topic of sanctification—how newborn Christians grow into mature Christians. You’re right to think that this method of evangelism doesn’t glorify God—a least not immediately. If I may quote the Wicked Witch of the West, “These things must be done delicately.”
Christianity isn’t like your fairy godmother showing up, and, with one wave of her wand, “ding!” you’re now a glorious saint. Christianity is presented to beginners with a beginner’s lesson. Advanced topics are for later. While I do agree that the gospel is sometimes “sold” a little too sugar-coated, we must always begin teaching Christianity from the beginning.
For example, here is Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:2–3 explaining his treatment of beginners.
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? (ESV)
Sounds like he’s hitting them pretty hard.
Sounds like the author is saying that they’re a bit behind schedule.
Yes, but do not miss what they’re behind schedule on. It’s that they’re “unskilled in the word of righteousness.” This makes them unready for solid food, because solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
The key word here is practice. Christianity is, in that way, like just about everything else; nothing beats experience.
And experience prepares you for more advanced lessons?
Exactly. Advanced lessons can be confusing to beginners. In that way, Christianity is like any curriculum. You have to get through the beginner’s courses before you’re ready for the advanced ones. However, with Christianity, teaching an advanced course to someone who isn’t ready is worse than doing that with, say, mathematics. Advanced lessons in Christianity won’t just be confusing; they can be harmful.
How’s that?
A beginner’s faith can be attacked before it’s mature enough to handle the stress.
More on this tomorrow.
