Call it the misguided passion of a young church worker, but I've always been both challenged and excited by scripture's seemingly unconditional claims about our freedom. I have yet to hear a good exegetical engagement with the idea of freedom in Christ. It is mentioned, celebrated as an abstract idea, and then dismissed as anything resembling a truth about the world or our lives as Christians.
So I want to ask the blogosphere to engage this content. The Biblical passages in question are Galatians 5:1 (OK all of Galatians, but mostly chapter 5), 1 Peter 2:11-25, Matthew 16:18-19, 1 Corinthians 6:12 and its context, and John 8:31-36. I'm sure there are other passages that deal with this but this is the bulk of the New Testaments discussion on freedom in Christ.
What I'm asking is what does it mean that we are free in Christ?
Christopher Wright in his book, Mission of God: unlocking the Bible's grand narrative, quite simply frames this conversation with some boundaries. He says:
Gravity as a force in the physical universe is an authority built into the way the universe exists. For us humans it authorizes an immense freedom of action on and above the surface of the planet provided we work with it. But it also sets a limit to that freedom. You may freely choose to step off a cliff, but the authority of gravity will decree it to be the last free choice you make. (pg. 53)We can safely say that freedom does not mean that we don't have limitations. The world has been made in such a way as to allow us to move freely within the confines of reality but there are things that are just not possible. For instance, it is not possible to be both prideful and humble for the two are juxtaposed.
I think it is also fair to say that freedom is not intended to be a springboard for sin. In Scripture freedom seems often to be accompanied by a request that we "live as servants," (1 Peter 2:16) and similar appeals.
It seems important at this point to have a working definition for sin. Ronald Habermas in his book, The Complete Disciple, defines sin as anything that unravels the image of God within us (or creation). Sin is most purely an issue of identity, but also one of obedience. Jesus teaches that the Great Commandments sum up the Torah and the Prophets so it would be fair to say that sin is anything that impedes on the image of God and the Great Commandments.
So I ask again, within the confines of nature and the universe and with the knowledge that freedom is not intended to be used for sin, what does it mean that we are free?
What implications does our answer have for issues like:
- Alcohol
- Sexuality
- Money
- Academia
- Language
- Art
- Entertainment
- Etc.
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Our death to this era, but already being 'alive' to the next is why marriage isn't seen as the highest sexual calling for Christians. Since there will be no marriage in the age to come, singleness out of pure devotion to Christ is the highest calling--it most conforms to the age to come. But not everyone can accept this call. So faithful marriage remains a good alternative, still a picture, a shadow, of the age to come.
But this is also why to be governed by one's sexual desires into promiscuous sex is totally unacceptable now. It is to allow ourselves to be governed by the powers and pulls of this age, who have already been judged, who will be thrown out. It is to place our hope in this age and its powers can provide, which are passing away. It is a failure to trust and hope in the resurrection, the new age that is dawning, and its Leader.
Glen's comment prompts me to see how closely and intimately aligned grace and freedom are. And how that frightens people. Oh my! Yes, their first response is nearly always, "Yes, but...."
To use an analogy, grace (and the freedom grace brings) is like the Grand Canyon, wild, immense,glorious. We call people to enjoy its beauty and power. Grace beckons people to draw near, right to the edge, perhaps lying down with their heads out over the edge. Wow, what a view. But, as they get near to the edge, others panic and don't trust them (though explained as 'helping them stay safe'). What's done? A fence is erected to keep people 'safe,' though removed from the wild thrill of living on the edge. How far away from the edge is the fence built? Depends on the group, though some would prefer to sit people in safe auditoriums while displaying the grandeur on a movie screen. Sure, they're safe, but...?
"I have yet to hear a good exegetical engagement with the idea of freedom in Christ."
Joey, that is so true. I think this is one of the main distinctions between religion and spirituality, between Christianity and Christ, between empire and Kingdom. Endless ideologies present as "freedom" but offer little more than well-intentioned dead ends.
Joey and others...
I wrote about "freedom" in my Galatians commentary (see to the right) and worked hard on the meanings of freedom. I'd be interested in what you think of that section...
Ordered it. Thanks, Scot.
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