When Christianity is reduced merely to following a moral program, several significant changes and consequences occur:
1. Loss of Core Doctrines:
* The Person and Work of Christ: The focus shifts away from Jesus's divinity, incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and role as Savior. Jesus becomes primarily a moral teacher or example rather than the unique Son of God who died for humanity's sins.
* The Trinity: The doctrine of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) becomes less important or even irrelevant. God might be seen as a distant force or an ideal rather than a personal, relational being.
* Salvation by Grace: The understanding of salvation as a free gift of God's grace, received through faith, is replaced by the idea that salvation is earned through good works or adherence to a moral code.
* The Holy Spirit: The role of the Holy Spirit as the indwelling presence of God, empowering believers and guiding them into truth, is diminished or ignored.
2. Change in Motivation and Purpose:
* Legalism: Emphasis shifts from a transformed heart and a desire to please God to strict adherence to rules and regulations. This can lead to a judgmental and pharisaical attitude towards oneself and others.
* Self-Righteousness: Individuals may develop a sense of pride in their moral accomplishments, believing they are superior to others who don't meet their standards.
* Fear and Guilt: Instead of being motivated by love and gratitude for God's grace, people may be driven by fear of punishment or guilt over their failures to meet the moral code.
* Loss of Joy and Peace: The joy and peace that come from a personal relationship with God and the assurance of His forgiveness are often replaced by anxiety and striving.
3. Impact on Community and Relationships:
* Division and Judgment: The community can become divided into those who are "in" (following the rules) and those who are "out" (not meeting the standards). This can lead to judgmental attitudes, exclusion, and broken relationships.
* Hypocrisy: It can be difficult to live up to a purely moralistic standard consistently, leading to hypocrisy and a disconnect between outward behavior and inner reality.
* Loss of Compassion: The focus on individual moral performance can diminish compassion and empathy for those who are struggling or suffering. Social justice becomes more about enforcing rules than caring for the vulnerable.
* Weakened Witness: The gospel message loses its power and appeal because it is seen as just another set of rules rather than a life-transforming encounter with God's love and grace.
4. The Inadequacy of Morality Alone:
* Inability to Transform: A moral program can modify behavior but cannot change the heart. It cannot deal with the root causes of sin and brokenness.
* Vulnerability to Failure: When morality is the sole focus, individuals are easily discouraged by their failures and may give up altogether.
* Lack of Hope: A purely moralistic system offers no real hope for forgiveness, redemption, or eternal life.
In essence, reducing Christianity to a moral program strips it of its core identity and transformative power. It replaces a vibrant, life-giving relationship with God with a rigid, joyless system of rules. The gospel becomes a burden rather than a liberation.