The Gospel and Self-Esteem: Can They Peacefully Coexist?

Self Esteem and The Gospel of Grace:
Can they peacefully co-exist?


I’ve discovered something recently that I’m quite sure that modern evangelicalism is sorely lacking. Before I tell you what that thing is, let me tell you how I found it.

I’ve been listening to a lot of old hymns.

Old hymns have gotten a bad rap from Christians today. They will say, “those old songs use antiquated words and phrases that are so out of touch. People don’t talk like that these days.”

And I would say, “Bingo. People don’t talk like that these days. And that’s precisely the problem!”

What did Puritan hymn writers understand that today’s Christians don’t understand? What did they express in their songs that Christians are not used to hearing? Well, the answer to that would be a pretty long list of rich theological themes. However, for today I want to attempt to articulate just one prevalent theme in old hymns: Depravity.

Old hymn writers seem incredibly adept at graphic verbal expressions of their own depravity. You just don’t hear that these days. Wretchedness doesn’t sell well in a world of self-esteem.

Obviously when we think of expressions of depravity in old hymns the first hymn that comes to mind is “Amazing Grace” by John Newton. The song’s first line says it all:
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.”

Wretch is a word that we don’t really hear unless we are singing hymns. What does it mean? Here’s Webster’s definition: : a base, despicable, or vile person

Let’s go to another hymn. Look at the song “There is a Fountain Filled With Blood.”

The second verse talks about the thief on the cross next to Jesus.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

Vile? Am I vile? Are you vile? What does vile mean?

Here’s Webster to weigh in on the definition:
1 a: morally despicable or abhorrent
b: physically repulsive : foul
2: of little worth or account: mean
3: tending to degrade
4: disgustingly or utterly bad

Wow. I always thought people who wrote hymns were pretty righteous characters? Talk about low self-esteem?

I could go on and on quoting expressions of human depravity in the church’s historic hymnody or in the writings of ministers from just a couple of centuries ago. However, here’s the million-dollar question. Why were they so hung up on talking about their wretchedness? And, why aren’t we equally focused on the topic?

I would contend that the reason that the hymn writers devoted so much ink to wretchedness is because they spent a lot of time studying their bible and their own heart.

Look at what Paul says in Romans 3:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

That’s a pretty sweeping indictment of the entire human race. And, remember, Paul wasn’t exempting himself from that charge. He referred to himself at “the chief of sinners.” And, in Romans 7 as he expounds on his own struggles with sin he says, “Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?”

So, if the concept of human depravity and wretchedness is thoroughly biblical, why don’t we hear about it any more?

I submit that the “Self-Esteem Gospel”, which is no Gospel at all, has gradually chipped away our robust understanding of depravity. It hasn’t removed it leaving an empty hole. Rather, our vileness has been replaced with a shoulder shrugging, aw shucks, nobody’s perfect view of sin. We’ve gone from being “dead in sins and trespasses” to having a little bit of a sniffle.

The Self-Esteem Gospel is so popular outside the church we’ve invited it in and made it a part of our theology. And, in doing so, we’ve turned the cross on its head. Here’s how it sounds when preached:

“God looked down from heaven. He was so overcome with your awesome-ness that he came up with a plan to express how awesome you are. He sent his only Son to die on the cross! So, show Jesus that you agree with his summation and ask him into your heart. He’ll help you become even more awesome!”

If that sounds ridiculous and far-fetched, you haven’t been to a Christian bookstore lately. I know a church in my community that had the following title for their Easter Sunday sermon: “God Believes In You!”

Sickening.

I visited Christianbook.com. I did a search for “self-esteem.” My search yielded 489 books. Almost all of the books were about how to boost, build or bolster our self image. Almost all of the books were written in the last couple of decades.

Next, I searched with the word “depravity.” My search yielded 26 books. The first book that came up was Martin Luther’s “The Bondage of the Will” written in 1525. Several other books on the list were written over 100 years ago.

Here’s the opposite of the Self Esteem Gospel.

“God looked down from heaven. He saw the wickedness of the human race. He devised a plan to redeem them from their sins. Their sins and depravity were so great that the only sacrifice that could pay the penalty for their sins was the death of His only Son on the cross. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Not because we are good. Rather, because He is good. Jesus took a punishment that he didn’t deserve- so that we can receive the salvation that we don’t deserve.”

Do you see the difference? It is not a small difference. It’s huge. When we lose the doctrine of human depravity, we lose the Gospel. If I’m not depraved than I don’t need a Savior… I just need some advice.