Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, worries a lack of humility among evangelicals contributes to their negative public image, and he locates the problem in a shriveled understanding of grace.
If people understood the nature of grace — acceptance before God rests on the merits of Christ, not on one’s own achievements — they would focus less on themselves and live more humble lives.
He identifies two worldviews believers in evangelical churches hold. He calls them ‘narrative identities,’ ways people see themselves and understand their place in the larger story of God’s dealings with the world.
The first is what I will call the moral-performance narrative identity. These are people who in their heart of hearts say, I obey; therefore I am accepted by God. The second is what I will call the grace narrative identity. This basic operating principle is, I am accepted by God through Christ; therefore I obey.
We may not be conscious of these identities buried deep in our psyches, but they influence our attitudes and actions nonetheless. Keller’s comments highlight an old tension in the Christian religion between moralism and grace. Moralists define themselves by their actions and puff themselves up in what they do and say. They look down on those who do not live up to their moral vision. The graceful, though, have hearts full of the grace of Christ and show humility in their speech and daily living. Their perception of grace yields the practice of graciousness.
The classic scripture on grace is from Ephesians 2.8-10:
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Too many evangelicals, Keller worries, live in verse 10, trying to practice good works, before they have absorbed verses 8 and 9.
The problem of moralism appears in the liberal churches I’ve served too. It operates in the many who have a nominal faith, whose religion rests on following rules and living an acceptable life. It lurks in the emphasis on service. The moral-performance identity can also mark social justice advocates in liberal churches, people consumed with political causes but whose character lacks humility. Justice can simply be moralism written large.
I don’t separate faith from works as an evangelical like Tim Keller does. Catholic writers have taught me that cultivating moral virtue is integral to salvation. But I agree that moralism remains a problem in churches and among religious leaders, and it contributes to a negative public perception of us. The only antidote is grace.
If one first believes that life will ultimately break our hearts, brings us to grief, disappoint us, no matter what we do, it is easier to see that it is grace not morality that matters. But, if one believes that we can overcome the disappointments, the griefs, in life, one finds it easier to believe that morality, or obeying God, is necessary, is a way to overcome those disappointments.
I think both beliefs are found in evangelicalism and in liberal protestantism and in catholicism.
As for me, it is the same as it is for you – the only antidote, if there is one at all, is grace.
This is a perceptive comment, Ken. Thanks. It reminded me of a remark by a mentor, Dan Moseley, “Life is fair. Ultimately it breaks everyone’s heart.” People who see things that way seem to be more open to grace.
Thanks for all your other comments. I’ve started nibbling on Tillich again — he may pop up in after the new year. Peace to you.
One of the ideas that continues to baffle and re-amaze me is that Christ identified himself as “gentle and humble in heart.”
What need does God have for humility? This is the upside-down wisdom of Christ.
I was moved by your post Chris – particularly the early comment about Evangelicals’ poor public image due to lack of humility – I think it’s spot on. But my past experience seems to be an odd perversion of this malady: openly rejecting “works-based” salvation, many Evangelicals still fail to grasp the concept of humility and brokeness in grace, and instead puff themselves up MORE, overtly rejecting “good works” and finding PRIDE in the salvation their BELIEFS have won them. Sort of like handpicking the worst of both extremes.
I speak to this because I’m still recovering from it.