Comments on: Why the Cross Matters http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:19:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris Tomlinson http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-3508 Chris Tomlinson Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:21:14 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-3508 Daniel, Very thoughtful question. When I first read Hebrews 6:1, I got stuck on the "elementary doctrine of Christ" part. Was the writer saying the "doctrine of Christ" is elementary? What is the doctrine of Christ anyway? My next thought was close to what you suppose many Christians may think. Aren't we supposed to move on to meat? Aren't we supposed to go on to maturity? Isn't our understanding of salvation by Christ's work on the cross the foundation of our faith--but we're supposed to build a house of obedience and fruit on top of it? I think part of the answer appears in how the writer goes on to define the "elementary" parts of the doctrine of Christ; namely: repentance from dead works, faith, washings, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment. These are not the gospel. Another part of the answer may be found in 5:11. The writer has just argued that Jesus is greater than Moses and that He is now our Great High Priest. And he details that Jesus, in being made perfect, became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (v. 9) through what he suffered (v. 8). And coming back to v. 11, the writer says, "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain..." This is the gospel--that Jesus, our Great High Priest, the perfect Son of God, suffered on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and became the source of salvation for all who believe. So I would say that we have much to say about this glorious gospel of Jesus and His work on the cross, and it is hard to explain and understand, so as the Lord permits (6:3), we will go on to maturity as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him. Thank you for the encouragement of your thoughts and questions. I hope this has been of some help, and please let me or the group know if you have other thoughts. I also found one of John Piper's sermons on this passage to be an encouragement (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ScriptureIndex/26/970_Let_Us_Press_On_to_Maturity/), so you might as well. Grace to you... ct Daniel,

Very thoughtful question. When I first read Hebrews 6:1, I got stuck on the "elementary doctrine of Christ" part. Was the writer saying the "doctrine of Christ" is elementary? What is the doctrine of Christ anyway?

My next thought was close to what you suppose many Christians may think. Aren't we supposed to move on to meat? Aren't we supposed to go on to maturity? Isn't our understanding of salvation by Christ's work on the cross the foundation of our faith--but we're supposed to build a house of obedience and fruit on top of it?

I think part of the answer appears in how the writer goes on to define the "elementary" parts of the doctrine of Christ; namely: repentance from dead works, faith, washings, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment. These are not the gospel.

Another part of the answer may be found in 5:11. The writer has just argued that Jesus is greater than Moses and that He is now our Great High Priest. And he details that Jesus, in being made perfect, became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (v. 9) through what he suffered (v. 8). And coming back to v. 11, the writer says, "About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain..." This is the gospel--that Jesus, our Great High Priest, the perfect Son of God, suffered on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and became the source of salvation for all who believe.

So I would say that we have much to say about this glorious gospel of Jesus and His work on the cross, and it is hard to explain and understand, so as the Lord permits (6:3), we will go on to maturity as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him.

Thank you for the encouragement of your thoughts and questions. I hope this has been of some help, and please let me or the group know if you have other thoughts. I also found one of John Piper's sermons on this passage to be an encouragement (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ScriptureIndex/26/970_Let_Us_Press_On_to_Maturity/), so you might as well. Grace to you...

ct

]]> By: Why the Cross Matters! « The Seven Churches http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-3475 Why the Cross Matters! « The Seven Churches Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:03:48 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-3475 [...] July 14, 2010 by Michael The following comes from The Gospel Coalition blog posted February 15, 2010 by Chris Tomlinson. You can find the online source here. [...] [...] July 14, 2010 by Michael The following comes from The Gospel Coalition blog posted February 15, 2010 by Chris Tomlinson. You can find the online source here. [...]

]]> By: Daniel http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-2397 Daniel Sun, 28 Mar 2010 07:57:55 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-2397 Thanks much for this article. The call to gospel-centeredness is something that I've been hearing, and have come to embrace, first from the White Horse Inn, then Issues, Etc., and now the Gospel Coalition. I have a question: how do we defend preaching and teaching the cross always in light of passages like Hebrews 6:1-2: "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." Because I suspect many Christians see this passage (and Hebrews 5:12-14 before it [milk/solid food]), and think, "okay, now I know the gospel, what's next?" Thanks much for this article. The call to gospel-centeredness is something that I've been hearing, and have come to embrace, first from the White Horse Inn, then Issues, Etc., and now the Gospel Coalition. I have a question: how do we defend preaching and teaching the cross always in light of passages like Hebrews 6:1-2: "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." Because I suspect many Christians see this passage (and Hebrews 5:12-14 before it [milk/solid food]), and think, "okay, now I know the gospel, what's next?"

]]> By: 33 Things: The Week’s Amusing and Intriguing Links — Evangelical Outpost http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1999 33 Things: The Week’s Amusing and Intriguing Links — Evangelical Outpost Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:07:25 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1999 [...] as an example of how to interpret and apply Scripture in the 21st century.Is it possible to talk about the Cross too much?.Conservatives signed a new ’statement of faith’ this week.  Soul-searching much?The [...] [...] as an example of how to interpret and apply Scripture in the 21st century.Is it possible to talk about the Cross too much?.Conservatives signed a new ’statement of faith’ this week.  Soul-searching much?The [...]

]]> By: At the cross we see… | Grace Baptist Church – Arlington, VA http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1991 At the cross we see… | Grace Baptist Church – Arlington, VA Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:28:32 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1991 [...] Tomlinson has offered a wonderful meditation on the Cross of Christ, and I’d encourage you to read the whole post here. [...] [...] Tomlinson has offered a wonderful meditation on the Cross of Christ, and I’d encourage you to read the whole post here. [...]

]]> By: Latest Links | blog of dan http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1950 Latest Links | blog of dan Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:04:05 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1950 [...] Why the Cross Matters [...] [...] Why the Cross Matters [...]

]]> By: Chris Tomlinson http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1937 Chris Tomlinson Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:47:20 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1937 Thank you for the encouragement, Renata. Your note reminds me we serve a global God. I hope your group is encouraged to find great satisfaction in Jesus as they reflect on all that was accomplished for us on the cross. Thank you for the encouragement, Renata. Your note reminds me we serve a global God. I hope your group is encouraged to find great satisfaction in Jesus as they reflect on all that was accomplished for us on the cross.

]]> By: Renata Santos http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1927 Renata Santos Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:16:47 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1927 Thank you, Chris! I was searching for some insights to share with our group of Sunday School teachers as we start a new semester of service for Him and your article provided just what was needed to this group. May God bless you and all of those who are encouraged by His Word through your life. I just wanted you to know that God is using your unique gifts to bless Christians around the world. My church is in Brazil. Thank you, Chris! I was searching for some insights to share with our group of Sunday School teachers as we start a new semester of service for Him and your article provided just what was needed to this group. May God bless you and all of those who are encouraged by His Word through your life. I just wanted you to know that God is using your unique gifts to bless Christians around the world. My church is in Brazil.

]]> By: Five for Friday « Windham Baptist Church’s Blog http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1924 Five for Friday « Windham Baptist Church’s Blog Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:08:42 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1924 [...] Is it possible to talk too much about the cross? Chris Tomlinson weighs in, here. Beautiful answer–you will worship at the foot of the cross! [...] [...] Is it possible to talk too much about the cross? Chris Tomlinson weighs in, here. Beautiful answer–you will worship at the foot of the cross! [...]

]]> By: Kevin Sorensen http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/02/15/why-the-cross-matters/#comment-1913 Kevin Sorensen Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:12:07 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=1875#comment-1913 I was a bit concerned that my preaching six messages in a row on the Cross in order to lead us up to Easter might be too much, but not after reading this. Thank you for the encouragement. I've linked to this post in my own blog and hope many will come by and read this. I was a bit concerned that my preaching six messages in a row on the Cross in order to lead us up to Easter might be too much, but not after reading this. Thank you for the encouragement. I've linked to this post in my own blog and hope many will come by and read this.

]]>