Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ
OK today I had the thought that this Local Church Discussions is a lot like the TV show Myth Busters https://mythresults.com/about-mythbusters
So let’s test this premise of Witness Lee:
“Grace in its highest definition is God in the Son to be enjoyed by us. It is not merely something done or given, but Christ Himself our portion glorious”
“Christianity's definition of grace as unmerited favor is too low”
Acceptable tests to prove validity of statements include Bible verses (plural) and actual “church life” testimonials of true events (plural) that demonstrate validity or not.
What say you? Myth or Truth. Busted, Plausible, or Confirmed? |
That Grace is a person is Confirmed based on
2 Tim 1:9
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
and
2 Tim 2:1
You therefore, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus.
We can see that this grace is given to us
in the person of Christ and is not a separate entity that exists outside of Christ. God may show "unmerited favor" to a Muslim or Hindu but without Christ, this is not the New Testament definition of grace but an old testament definition.
It is not as if God gives us Christ and then gives us some grace as a separate thing. The common definition is that "grace" is some special favor or blessing that God bestows on people after they have become Christians. However I think the "unmerited favor" that God bestowed on the world was His own dear Son Jesus Christ Himself, who died on a cross for the sins of the world.
The premise is that Grace is in fact a person and not just a mere theological definition (unmerited favor). I say "not just" because Witness Lee did not reject the common definition. It is a true definition but it is not a complete definition if it omits Christ.
Other supporting verses are:
1 Cor 15:10
Gal 2:20-21
John 1:17
Galatians 6:18
2 Cor 13:14
Rev 22:21
and is confirmed by this acronym:
G - God
R - Received
A - And
C - Christ
E - Enjoyed
We have positive affirmation in general Christianity such as this one:
https://www.christianity.com/theolog...-is-grace.html
“Grace” is the most important concept in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and
embodied in Jesus Christ.
Michael Horton writes, “In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. Grace, then, is
not a third thing or substance mediating between God and sinners, but
is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.”
Let's not confuse grace and mercy, or Old Testament grace (God's good intentions and blessings including forgiveness) versus New Testament grace (in Jesus Christ).