Hyper-Grace? The Modern Grace Message.

Introduction

Hyper-grace is a term coined by Dr. Michael L. Brown[1] to describe a current teaching in the body of Christ regarding grace. Hyper-grace is a mixture of helpful and potentially dangerous teachings. It appears that part of the problem of the modern grace message is that of pushing certain biblical truths to an extreme and imbalanced place while, seemingly, purposefully ignoring portions of the scripture that would balance the message. The message of grace, as we shall see in later segments on this issue, is already radical without pushing it into imbalance.

I suspect that part of the reason causing this lopsided emphasis on grace is the spiritual trauma some people have endured in 'ungraceful' churches. The modern grace message then is, in my opinion, partially a response to Christian leaders and teachers who, in their misguided zeal, have caused spiritual hurt to fellow believers. I am grieved and shocked by the prevalence of spiritual abuse in the body of Christ. In fact, there are a sad number of Christian people who refuse to return to a church due to wounding in the 'house of their brothers'.

But balance is not found in pushing certain aspects of grace while ignoring biblical and vital Christian accountability, discipleship and responsibility. Balance is found through the humble reception of gospel truth, applied generously to our own hearts; all the while allowing that word to discern our failures, motivations and fears. To the very last soul, humankind is in desperate need of the authentic grace freely offered in and through Jesus the Messiah.

Since being made aware of this topic by reading Michael L. Brown's book (I highly recommend it – see footnotes below) I have had a greater awareness of the modern grace message and have heard it 'pop-up' with amazing regularity in conversation, in online forums, in Christian meetings and on Christian television. Thus, I have set out to study this new doctrine and reflect on it, hopefully, for the benefit of those who might not yet be aware.

Michael L. Brown's book on the issue does a fine job of defining and critiquing this new teaching. Dr. Brown interacts with many hyper-grace teachers theologically and does a thorough job of showing error or over-emphasis. In this series of blogs I will be using Dr. Brown's book as a reference and will also be interacting with Paul Ellis' book[2] on the same topic. Dr. Ellis' book is a response to Dr. Brown's book and he reflects from his affirming position on the modern grace message.

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[1] Michael L. Brown, Hyper-Grace: Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Message (Lake Mary: Charisma House, 2014). Dr. Brown is a scholar of Near Eastern languages, seminary professor, apologist and author of numerous books.

[2] Paul Ellis, The Hyper Grace Gospel: A Response to Michael Brown and Those Opposed to the Modern Grace Message (Birkenhead: KingsPress, 2014).