Is The Cross Enough?

Within Evangelicalism there are two very distinct systems of theology. One is a Theology of Glory and the other is a Theology of the Cross. I believe that it is very important that we understand the differences between these two ways of thinking. In so doing, I believe we will arrive at the conclusion that these two systems cannot be mixed.

The Function of the Gospel
The Protestant theology of glory begins with a one-time trip to the Cross of Jesus Christ. The preaching of human sin and divine grace is only directed at the unbeliever in order to "get him/her saved." The person who gets saved can sing, "At the Cross, at the Cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my sin rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day." Have you encountered a person when discussing the place of the Gospel in preaching and teaching, that will say, "I’ve already been to the Cross, I’ve heard the Gospel, I’m saved." In other words, in the thinking of that person, the preaching of the Gospel is directed at unbelievers. Once unbelievers are saved the Gospel in no longer relevant. The Protestant theology of the Cross is quite different. The preaching of sin and grace is not only intended to convert the unbelieving sinner but is intended to produce sanctification in the Christian. The preaching of the Law continues to convict the Christian of sin, leading to contrition and repentance, and the Gospel continues to produce faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

The Definition of Repentance
A theology of glory defines repentance as a sinner being sorry for his/her sins and determining not to sin anymore. Repentance is the determination of the sinner to live a better life. Before being saved, the sinner is required to repent of all known sins. Incomplete repentance may cause a person to doubt whether or not they have really been saved. Alternatively, the theology of the Cross defines repentance as contrition and faith rather than contrition and human determination. While the preaching of the Law will lead to sorrow over sin, the preaching of the Gospel will produce faith in the redemptive work of Christ. Repentance is therefore not a singular act that precedes "getting saved" but defines the totalityof the Christian life. John Calvin once stated that "repentance is the occupation of the believer."

The Definition of Sanctification
A theology of glory separates the Christian life from the Gospel. Once you are saved you are givena list of do’s and dont’s. More often than not, these are "evangelical house rules." If you continue to break the rules, the solution is the rededication of your life to God or, in some cases, the emotional determination to keep your promises. You wouldn’t go back to the Cross again because you already did that when you got saved. The theology of the Cross never moves you on from the Cross. The preaching of the Law is not intended to provide you with a list of do’s and dont’s. Rather the preaching of the Law is intended to drive you back to the Cross through the hearing of the Gospel. As a result of theGospel, your faith is strengthened. Out of faith, the good works defining the Christian life are produced from the Gospel, the Law never will motivate to good works. It may produce works out of fear, but those aren't "good works" because they are self-serving in nature, done only to escape the consequences. Those who mix the theology of glory with the theology of the Cross may initially preach Law and Gospel but will end the sermon with Law, principles, or house rules. Such a sermon will cause you to go home guilty, not rejoicing in forgiveness, but determined to live a better life.

The Definition of Holiness
A theology of glory produces people who think they are better than other people. You are now a better person, a step above those who are not saved. You share your testimony so that other people will get saved and be a good person just like you are.The notion of getting saved as taking a higher step on the ladder of holiness begets other steps. Some teach that getting saved is merely the first experience, now you have to move on to the more important stuff, getting sanctified. This second work removes your old sinful nature so that you are no longer a sinner. You not only witness to unbelievers, but you tell other Christians who still refer to themselves as "sinners saved by grace" that you are no longer a sinner. You have taken the next step and they should do the same.The Pentecostals add another step on the ladder of holiness. They promote a baptism in the Spirit with speaking in tongues (as THE evidence) which gives you spiritual power that you didn’thave before. This is evidenced by testimonies like "before I got baptized in the Spirit I saw myself as a poor old sinner saved by grace." In other words, now that they have received "the power" unlike others they are sanctified and moving on from glory to glory. Their testimony will now focus on trying to convince other Christians that they should come to where they are and get baptized in the Spirit, speak in tongues, and seek the next level experiences. Even though they don’t say it, it is apparent that they think they are better Christians, because they have taken the next step. If you have ever talked to them, you know the experience. Living in a theology of the Cross never makes you any "better" than anyone else. In fact, the preaching of Law will not lead you to an awareness of your holiness, but rather to greater awareness of the depth of your sin. As a result, you will develop an ever-increasing faith in and appreciation for the redeeming work of Christ. Your witness will focus upon the work of the Cross, not upon your experience of getting saved, sanctified, or becoming more spiritual. You don’t talk about your spirituality. You talk about the grace of God in Christ. Martin Luther accurately defined sin as man turning in on himself. While a theology of glory continues to turn you to yourself as you measure your growth in holiness against a plethora of spiritual experiences and other people, the theology of the Cross turns you away from yourself. As a result of the conviction of the Law, you forsake your own good works and spiritual experiences and cling to the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Which is Correct?
Any reading of the New Testament will demonstrate that the systematic theology of the Apostle Paul was a theology of the Cross. His focus was not upon his spirituality but upon the Cross of Christ. He boasted of his weaknesses. He referred to himself as the "chief of sinners" and a "wretched man." As far as he was concerned, his holiness and goodness was manure compared to the righteousness of Christ. For the Apostle, the dynamic of both justification and sanctification was "not I, but Christ."