by Bobby L. Graham
How does one respond to the idea that the New Testament epistles are simply “love letters” having no authority behind them?
Some have alleged that the books of the New Testament are like “love letters,” having no binding force of law but only being an expression of God’s love for His people. If they contain any mandates from God, distinguishing such from the “love” part is so difficult that they have not given us their method for doing so. In other words, Paul’s correction of the abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth was not God’s mandate, only a subtle plea for them to do better; Peter’s instruction concerning diligent Christian growth in the graces mentioned in 2 Peter 1 was not a command, but his loving request for them to grow in whatever ways they found convenient; and John’s urgent rebuke of the saints in Ephesus to repent and return to their first love in Revelation 2:4-5 was not meant as an authoritative message, only as a demonstration of God’s fervent love for them. To take it as a mandate or divine law, after all, would require the acceptance of examples and necessary inferences as binding. How does this idea fit with various NT passages and principles?
The following passages make it clear that the Bible deals in patterns and mandates. Paul refers to the form or pattern (tupos) of doctrine (Rom. 6:17; 16:17). He urged Timothy to accept no other doctrine, i.e., strange or different doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3; 6:3). The inspired apostle said, “Retain the standard of sound (hugiainō) words” (2 Tim. 1:13; cf. 3:14). He admonished Timothy to preach and promote the apostolic message (2 Tim. 2:2). Christ left us an example (hupogrammos) to follow (1 Pet. 2:21). The OT tabernacle was a copy (hupodeigma) of the original heavenly tabernacle. Moses was ordered to construct it according to the pattern (tupos) that had been given on Mt. Sinai (Heb. 8:5; cf. 9:23). Paul urged the Corinthians to imitate (mimētēs) his example (1 Cor. 11:1). Similarly, the Philippians are exhorted to join in following his example (summimētēs) and observe those who walk according to the apostolic pattern (tupos) (Phil. 3:17).
The Bible also stresses certain principles to direct us in implementing God’s ways, as would be true of the approach in giving divine law. Notice the following ones: Consider the seed sowing principle, while noting that the two functions of seed are to transmit life and transmit parental traits to offspring (Luke 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). Consider Paul’s exhortation: “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written. . .” (1 Cor. 4:6, NASB). Consider his practice (1 Cor. 4:16-17; 7:17; 14:33-34, 37; 16:1-2; Phil. 4:9) and his warnings about falling away (1 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1 [not just “core doctrines”]; 2 Tim. 4:3-4). Ponder Peter’s admonition, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11, NKJV). Weigh John’s warning: “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9, NASB).
There is no doubt that the Scriptures of the New Testament, like those of the Old Testament, speak of law. Notice the following examples: Paul refers to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2). Despite being free from the Law of Moses, he acknowledged being under law to Christ (1 Cor. 9:21). The law of Christ must be obeyed (Gal. 6:2). New Testament law is necessarily implied by a change of the Old Testament law (Heb. 7:12). Saints must submit to the perfect law of liberty, and fulfill the royal law (Jas. 1:25; 2:8-10).
The emphasis on Scriptural patterns and principles, as simply laid out above, certainly demonstrates that God’s words have the authoritative force of divine law. One cannot get the idea of “love letters” from the pages of the New Testament. He must import the concept from elsewhere. There is not enough “wiggle room” to evade the passages concerning law studied in this answer! One must want to chart his own course in religion to try to avoid them.
Every word coming from God’s mouth must be examined to discern what it directs people to do (Matt. 4:4; 28:20). Hearing Jesus Christ is only half of what He desires (Matt. 7:21-27; Luke 6:46). Obedience is also necessary for eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). The advocates of this “love letter” preaching have not yet provided us a clear and authoritative statement of how they know what we must obey and what we don’t need to follow. When they do so, they will have assumed the role of God and entered His jurisdiction!
