God the Son, Student Workbook, SW10

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G O D T H E S O N

You Need to Be More Balanced

In reaction to a more Christ-centered approach to Christian worship and ministry, some have suggested a “more balanced approach.” Such a view suggests that although a solid study of Jesus of Nazareth is critical for Christian discipleship, it is not helpful to overemphasize this (or any other doctrine) to the exclusion of others. The notion of Christomonism is the idea that one might so emphasize the person of Jesus that you blow your study out of proportion, that you actually lose sight of other, equally important subjects of Scripture, and even become involved in both error and misinterpretation of Scripture and the tradition. The study of Jesus must be kept in its proper balanced place in the overall set of Christian doctrine. What would you say is the proper position of the study and knowledge of Christ in a “balanced” approach to the understanding of Christian doctrine? In a lecture at a major university, a rabbi in conversation about Christian-Jewish dialogue, gave his comment on the claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the only way to relationship with God. After detailing Christianity’s deep dependence upon Judaism’s history, faith, and Scripture, the rabbi eloquently and passionately accused those of the evangelical Christian community of being close- minded, elitist, and even some of being hate mongers. “How is it possible that they would suggest that they are the only true religion in a world that has been tortured and torn because of religious bigotry and violence. This kind of claim to exclusive rights to God creates division and conflict between people of God. How dare they say that Jesus of Nazareth is the only way to God! That is nothing but mean-spirited fundamentalism!” What do you make of the current “scandal of particularity” in the academic study of religion, that is, the “scandal” of the Christian confession that faith in the person of Jesus is the only way to God ? “That’s Mean-Spirited Fundamentalism!”

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It’s Time to Move On

Many in our Christian churches believe today that the era of Christian doctrine is done. By this they don’t mean that the study of Christian doctrine is altogether unimportant nor that informed Christians are not to be desired. Rather, they insist that the world is tired of hearing about ancient controversies about what they perceive to be unimportant conflicts over doctrinal minutiae. Instead of focusing on