Are you a victim of “Bargain Theology”?
Bargain theology is that heretical teaching that God is waiting for you to fix your life. It’s that lie that if you just get it right, then He’ll love you some … at least until you mess up again.
You know, serve a little in church, do your quiet time, memorize Scripture some, pray a little, or give some of your money to Christian work.
The problem with bargain theology is that God isn’t bargaining.
He doesn’t want to fix your life; He wants to give you a new life–eternal life.
He doesn’t want the stuff you do for Him; He wants you.
He wants to change you on the inside and launch you into a messed up and hurtful world.
It’s called grace, and it’s not a bargain.
It’s free.
But it’s not to make you a little better, a little happier, a little more Republican.
It’s to give you what you need to overcome the evil and broken places in your heart and to stand against the evil broken places in this world.
I can’t understand why more Christians in churches don’t get it.
I got it from the very beginning.
Oh yeah, maybe that’s because I didn’t meet Jesus in the stained glass confines of safe religious platitudes.
I met Jesus on the street during a revival.
We called it the Jesus Movement.
Do your remember it?
If not, I wish you could have seen our revival.
It’s sad to me that many of my friends who found Jesus then have fallen victim to bargain theology … and it sidetracked their Christian life.
Question: Why do you think bargain theology appeals to so many Christians?
Hi Ed, I wanted to comment on your question. I think that people subscribe to bargain theology because of a few reasons.
First, its about what they can and can’t control. Bargain theology gives a person some measure of control over the sacrifices they believe they are making in this bargain with God. That control is completely illusory, but we (humans) like to think we have complete control over our lives. I often find it difficult to square my real lack of control with my perception that I actually have some control. Undoubtedly you hear this a lot from folks.
I also think its about our innate pettiness. I think we want to be able to take those sacrifices we make in this bargain and use them as measures to elevate ourselves above others. How many times have you seen people complaining about how much they do for the church and how little their neighbors do or how holy someone is because they follow rules X, Y and Z? As with control though, its illusory.
I’ll never claim to be rid of these characteristics. I struggle like most folks do, but the final thing that brought me to Christ was the realization that I don’t, and can’t stack up to the expectations that we put upon ourselves and that God wants me to trust him and accept his love. That realization freed me. Every time I struggle with bargain theology I try to remember this.
Question: Why do you think bargain theology appeals to so many Christians?
Our innate resistance to change. We get set in our ways – of acting, of thinking, of working. I love the quote that Jesus said “You can’t put new wine in old wine skins.” Where anyone got the idea that being a Christian was easy – just boggles my mind. It is hard work to look inside and find out what is there. It is hard work to repent, to change your mind, or change your direction. Just think about it – how hard it is to lose 10 pounds and you’ll get my point. But every once in a while – when you have overcome a habit or pain – the joy beyond all understanding moments – holds you for a lifetime.
I agree that living the Christian life isn’t easy from an outsider’s viewpoint. But once we Christians get beyond the myth that it’s our trying that changes us, we’re open to the transforming power of Christ in us.
Your comment is honest and right on, Matt. Thanks.