{"id":607,"date":"2009-06-25T10:31:14","date_gmt":"2009-06-25T04:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.returningking.com\/?p=607"},"modified":"2009-06-25T10:31:14","modified_gmt":"2009-06-25T04:31:14","slug":"more-false-atonement-doctrine-the-moral-example-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/?p=607","title":{"rendered":"More False Atonement Doctrine: The Moral-Example Theory"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 5 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(A continuation of the series, A Pastoral Soteriology<\/span><\/a>.<\/em>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Jesus noted, “wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it (Mat 7:13).\u00a0 <\/span>To that end, it should be no surprise that there are so many erroneous theological theories in relation to each properly determined and biblical one.\u00a0 <\/span>Continuing the pursuit of a good and valid atonement theory, today’s post once again yields only a failed attempt which resembles nothing more than man recasting God in his own image.<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Moral-Example Theory<\/span><\/h2>\n

The moral example theory was proposed by Pelagius (354-420 AD), himself an opponent of the concept of original sin, believing that sin was a matter of choice rather than an ingrained and universal affliction.\u00a0 <\/span>Pelagius further believed that it was possible for man to live a sinless life within himself.\u00a0 <\/span>His atonement “theory” certainly did not fall far from the tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

A scriptural basis for Pelagius’ moral example theory is noted to be found in I Peter 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

1 Peter 2:20-21 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n20 <\/span><\/sup>But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 <\/span><\/sup>To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The essence of the moral example theory rests on the notion that sin is to be understood as a choice of mankind rather than a fixed condition.\u00a0 <\/span>While it is true that individual sins may be chosen or not, it is not true that the state sin itself can be elected.\u00a0 <\/span>Rather, as has <\/span>already been revealed<\/span><\/a> in this series, sin is an inherent condition of man which transcends his own will.\u00a0 <\/span>Man is<\/em> sinful- despite his best efforts.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, Pelagius- and his atonement theory- are based upon the incorrect assessment that what man requires from salvation is more in line with the presentation of a proper model to follow than the restoration of a fallen nature.\u00a0 <\/span>The moral example theory, as one may expect, holds that Christ’s life and death were exemplary in nature rather than substitutionary and vicariously applied to man’s sinful account.\u00a0 <\/span>According to this theory, Christ inspires man to lift himself out of depravity and encourages him toward the right behavior which he is presumed to be capable of performing.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus’ example in humility, righteousness and obedience unto death are sufficient in this theory to properly propel man into his own righteous stead.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a seriously flawed postulate.\u00a0 <\/span>It is not even close<\/em> to a biblical model of Christ’s redemptive work.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it is true that Jesus’ life was an example to those who follow him, scripture in no way affirms – or even hints- that man is capable to lift himself up by his bootstraps.\u00a0 <\/span>In fact, scripture emphatically denies such self-sufficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n8 <\/sup>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 <\/sup>not by works, so that no one can boast. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Clearly, it is “not from yourselves” that one finds salvation, but rather through faith in what Christ has done<\/em> on behalf of man.\u00a0 <\/span>It was his<\/em> work, not our own, which sufficiently satisfies God’s demand for justice and renders his wrath toward sin as having been expiated.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In short, this theory of atonement does nothing to deal with the true issue of salvation.\u00a0 <\/span>One is saved from<\/em> something, <\/span>as noted earlier<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 <\/span>He is saved from sin<\/em> and from the penalty <\/em>of sin.\u00a0 <\/span>There is no moral example available – including that of Christ- which can reverse the course of history and render a man’s sinful actions from the past as if they had never occurred.\u00a0 <\/span>This justification comes only through punitive means.\u00a0 <\/span>It was Jesus vicarious death on the cross which removed sins and satisfied God’s righteous justice, not his example of good living.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul notes,<\/span><\/p>\n

Romans 3:25 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n25 <\/sup>God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished– <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

If the moral example theory had any merit, Romans 3:25 would have none.\u00a0 <\/span>Clearly, Paul notes that the sins committed beforehand must be paid.\u00a0 <\/span>Man does not simply “correct” himself and render the guilt of his past as forgotten.\u00a0 <\/span>Indeed,<\/span><\/p>\n

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n5 <\/sup>\u2026 he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

For sin to be rendered as justified, a punishment must<\/em> be paid, or God is simply not just.\u00a0 <\/span>This<\/em> is what Christ provided on the cross.\u00a0 <\/span>While\u00a0 <\/span>1 Peter 2:21 rightly defines Christ’s suffering as “an example, that you should follow in his steps,” it in no way indicates that one can simply model Christ’s actions and attain salvation.\u00a0 <\/span>1 Peter was written to believers who had already received salvation by grace through faith.\u00a0 <\/span>Christ’s exemplary model was presented to those who had formerly received redemption; it was not the course by which one was to achieve it. <\/span><\/p>\n

The moral example theory offers nothing to provide atonement for the sins of mankind.\u00a0 <\/span>If this theory is followed as truth, the one who subscribes to it dies in his sins; regardless of how wonderfully righteous he may live from that point on.\u00a0 <\/span>His sins committed beforehand are left unpunished without the provision of Christ’s substitutionary blood offering.\u00a0 <\/span>His guilt remains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, although Pelagius was condemned as a heretic for his unsound theories, people today are flocking back to this very unbiblical system of reckoning atonement.\u00a0 <\/span>A popular mantra of the modern emergent movement – which <\/span>largely subscribes to this very theory of atonement<\/span><\/a>– is essentially that “being Christian is to be doing the things Jesus did.”\u00a0 <\/span>As Tony Campolo, a strong advocate of this baseless theology, claims,<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to what is ultimately important, the Muslim community’s sense of commitment to the poor is exactly in tune with where Jesus is in the 25th<\/sup> chapter of Matthew. That is the description of judgment day. And if that is the description of judgment day what can I say to an Islamic brother who has<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span>fed the hungry, and clothed the naked? You say, “But he hasn’t a personal relationship with Christ.” I would argue with that. And I would say from a Christian perspective, in as much as you did it to the least of these you did it unto Christ. You did have a personal relationship with Christ, you just didn’t know it. And Jesus himself says: “On that day there will be many people who will say, when did we have this wonderful relationship with you, we don’t even know who you are. . . ” “Well, you didn’t know it was me, but when you did it to the least of these it was doing it to me.”
\nInterview by Shane Clairborne (online source): http:\/\/www.crosscurrents.org\/CompoloSpring2005.htm\u00a0 <\/span>(emphasis mine)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n

By grossly misrepresenting Matthew 25, Campolo is content to embrace a works-based salvation of “Jesus-imitation.”\u00a0 <\/span>Not only so, but he takes the liberty of setting aside the entirety of the remainder of scripture for his false premise, thereby elevating Muslims – who reject Jesus as God’s singular provision of atonement – to that of Christians who have heeded the words of Christ.\u00a0 <\/span>Did Jesus not say, <\/span>“<\/strong>whoever does not believe [in Jesus] stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son? (John 3:18)”\u00a0 <\/span>Did he not say “no man comes to the father but through me? (John 14:6)”\u00a0 <\/span>Did Peter not declare, “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved? (Acts 4:12)”\u00a0 <\/span>Yet, this modern adaptation of the moral example theory claims that simply following the methods of Jesus – even while rejecting him as God’s unique provision for atonement – is sufficient for salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Surely Pelagius would be proud.\u00a0 <\/span>His heretical teachings have resurrected in large numbers today, with everything from bad country and western songs to man-centric pseudo-theologians claiming that “if you’re good enough” you’ll get into Heaven; even if you were<\/em> expecting 72 virgins to meet you at the gate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The moral example theory – in its ancient and modern manifestations – is nothing more than a complete rejection of Jesus’ own words wrapped in a self-adulating container.\u00a0 <\/span>While scripture clearly calls believers to follow Jesus’ example, it should be noted that one is first a believer, and then a follower of Christ’s example.\u00a0 <\/span>No one will find salvation by the mere emulation of Christ’s works.\u00a0 <\/span>To all who presume to put the cart before the horse, Jesus made no concessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n22 <\/sup>Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 <\/sup>Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n


<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is part 5 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(A continuation of the series, A Pastoral Soteriology.) Jesus noted, “wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it (Mat 7:13).\u00a0 To that end, it should be no surprise that there are so many erroneous theological theories in relation to each properly determined and biblical one.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,13,14,18],"tags":[45,64,162,166,168],"series":[210],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/607\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=607"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fseries&post=607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}