Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
In the closing discussion, the speaker connects “selective obedience” with “easy believism” and says selective obedience actually undermines assurance; what commandments or teachings do you see modern Christians (including your own tradition) most tempted to explain away as “cultural” or “not literal,” and how would taking those seriously reshape assurance, community life, and your daily choices?
Another way to ask: What teachings do Christians today most often brush off as “just cultural” or “not literal”? If we took those commands seriously, how would it change our assurance, our church life, and our daily choices?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript doesn’t list a detailed catalog of modern “explained away” commands, but it clearly identifies the pattern: believers dismiss parts of Jesus’ teaching as “cultural” or “not literal” to protect an easy assurance, yet that selective obedience actually weakens true assurance. Taking Jesus’ commands seriously would reshape assurance into a lived confidence grounded in ongoing repentance, obedience, and faithful walking.
- He describes the common move: “We obey this now. We don’t obey that. That was cultural… Jesus didn’t really mean that literal.”
- He connects this with “easy believism” and “once saved, always saved,” where disobedience is treated as acceptable.
- He references the Sermon on the Mount being called “discouraging,” and the hard saying: “if I don’t forgive someone, I’m not going to be forgiven.”
- He affirms attraction to Anabaptists for taking neglected commandments seriously, but warns, “we aren’t immune either… we can be selective too… obey 85%.”
- He distinguishes failure vs refusal: falling short with repentance can be forgiven, but “if I just decide… I’m not going to obey… there’s nothing… to indicate that… rebellion… is going to be forgiven.”
- He insists assurance is tied to reality: “walking faithfully with Christ or we’re not.”