Yesterday I pointed out some of the highlights in Philippians 3 about the evils of legalism. Maybe I’m drawn to this subject so much because, like the Apostle Paul, I was raised in a legalistic environment. We were defined mostly by what we didn’t do. In our tradition, this included prohibitions against dancing (I’m still a terrible dancer) and the movie theater. It’s OK not to dance and to choose not to go to the theater. The problem is when we impose these rules on others or, worse, judge others as inferior if they do things on our no-no list. (And every tradition has its own list!)

The biggest problem is that such teaching takes the focus off of Jesus. We were promoting a “Jesus and” gospel. In our day growing up, it was Jesus and a certain set of behaviors or taboos. In Paul’s day, it was Jesus and circumcision and dietary laws (we’ll see this come up again when we get to Colossians). Today, it’s more likely to be Jesus and politics, either left or right.

Beth Moore has just tweeted a stunning thread on this very subject. She calls “Jesus and” a “hybrid gospel.” Here’s part of it:

I’m no longer Republican or Democrat. I’m neither a conservative nor a liberal. I’m not a complementarian or egalitarian. I’m a Jesus follower. Period. I’m on the side of the sinless life, death, resurrection, reign and return of the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m not a political pundit. I’m a Bible teacher. Whether a poor or an adequate one, I’m a devoted one & this is the task to which I’ve been called: to disciple people in Christ. (From a July 6, 2022, tweet)

Christian leaders in your 30s-50s, you’re the ones who’ll raise the next couple of generations of faith. It is crucial—needful—that you disciple them from the start on the values of Jesus. Not political or cultural hybrids. The ways & means of Jesus. Teach people to follow Jesus. If you’re a Christian minister, pastor, teacher or leader, …walk with Jesus. Seek to know him with all your heart. Consider everything loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord. Then teach others to do the same. Jesus, Jesus. His ways. His means. PS. Many of you are in full-on crises of faith. I’d like to suggest that it’s hybrid versions of Christianity that put you there. Not Jesus. Don’t walk away from Jesus. Walk away from hybrid gospels. You can’t replace Jesus. He remains the One & Only. He alone is Savior & Lord. (From a July 5, 2022, tweet.)

Amen.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1.15 – 20, ESV)