I posted this last year and was reminded in a recent conversation that this discussion is ongoing, so I thought I would share it again...
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Sounds scary, huh? Hyper-grace is the new “buzz” word being tossed around to express disapproval and in some cases, outright disdain for people that tend to focus their ministry or teachings on grace.
I suppose that using the word “hyper-grace” must sound better and somehow kinder than saying “greasy grace,” or “sloppy agape!” But disparagement is intended. I’d like to see that change.
There have been several articles and blogs written about the topic of “hyper-grace” (both pro and con), and it really seems to be a trending subject in Christianity.
In fact, earlier this year a well-known bible teacher wrote a book about it. In the book, he calls “hyper-grace” the great deception of the 21st century. In the preface of the book he writes that he plainly believes that that this difference of understanding of grace, is a difference for the most part, between believers (brethren). I agree with him, it is a difference of understanding between members of the same family.
Sometimes when members of a family fight, they say things they later regret.
They call each other names and say slanderous things to other family members. In the church, often those names include; heretic, apostasy, false teacher, deceiver, false prophet, and the like. However, just because brothers disagree on how to interpret scripture does not stop them from being brothers.
To me, the challenge, is not to have a knee-jerk reaction to either side of the so called “grace debate,” but to delve deeper into what the bible teaches us about grace.
We should keep in mind that a person does not need perfect doctrine to be a follower of Jesus. If perfect doctrine were necessary, no one would make it. No one person or denomination has perfect doctrine. In any debate in biblical understanding or doctrinal difference, we should always side with grace, mercy, restoration, and love.
Just for fun, let’s define hyper-grace:
Hyper-
Adjective
1. Overexcited; over stimulated; keyed up.
2. Seriously or obsessively concerned; fanatical; rabid
3. Hyperactive.
4. A prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “over,” usually implying excess or exaggeration; an over-abundance.
Grace-
Noun
1. a: Unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: A virtue coming from God c: A state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2. a: Approval, favor, goodwill b: Mercy, pardon c: A special favor, privilege d: Disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
