Ricky Gervais: On the Distinction of Law and Gospel
British comedian Ricky Gervais has gained attention as much attention in recent years for his atheistic proclamations as for his work in entertainment. Perhaps the former is a means to make him more marketable in the latter. Earlier this year, Gervais offered an Easter message which may be read here. Whereas the Christmas message which he offered last year set forth his reason for being an atheist, his Easter message proclaimed why he is a good Christian. Gervais’ seemingly contradictory statements offered but months apart from one another are actually quite homogeneous in their content. The central argument tying the two pieces together is that actions are what define Christians. And thus Gervais argues that while Christ led an exemplary life, Christians do not lead such lives, thus effacing the pointlessness of Christianity. Using the Ten Commandments as the barometer of Christianity, Gervais argues that he is a better Christian than those who claim faith in Christ.
One could reply to Gervais’ argument by noting that its historical inaccuracy. The Church is not the mammoth ogre it is made out to be. Taking a cue from Christ, the Church has been at the forefront of protecting the rights (and lives) of women (e.g., the banning of foot-binding in China under the pressure of Christian missionaries, etc.). The Church has invested incredible resources into health care (consider the name of many hospitals, evidencing their Christian founding). Education of the masses has been a hallmark of the Church, including the founding of some of the most prestigious educational institutions (Oxford, Cambridge, and the like) during the supposed “Dark Ages.” And the list goes on.
Such evidence can and should be noted. Yet, the Biblical answer to Gervais’ charge is set forth in terms of Law and Gospel. The Law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, points out how I ought to live, how I fail to live in that fashion, and how I ought to be punished. Despite Gervais’ contention that he has the commandments down better than Christians, the Law does not let any of us off that easy. It condemns us by going to the heart of the matter. It’s not just your actions, it’s your nature, your sinful inclinations. Thus, Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “You’ve been told, ‘Do not murder,’ but I tell you that anyone who hates his brother is liable to judgment.” And so we are all condemned by the Law. I haven’t pulled the trigger, but I have borne hate. The Law crushes those (even Ricky Gervais) who are proud of having fulfilled the Law better than others. If the Law defines who is a Christian, then none of us are Christians, for the Law points out the shortcomings of us all.
But it is not the Law that defines the Christian. The Gospel does. Gervais disparages Christians who define themselves as “good Christians” based upon their belief. But the Gospel is not about my belief; it’s about my Savior. My Christian identity is not grounded upon anything I do in thought, word, or deed. My Christian identity is defined by what Christ has done for me through His redeeming work upon the cross, His resurrection, His ascension, His baptism of me, His feeding me in His Supper, His forgiveness of me, His delivery of His word to me, and what He will do for me when He returns on the Last Day. I am a Christian because I have a Savior.
Because Christ has done all that for me, faith and good works are born. My sinful nature remains, battling against the good work which Christ has begun and is continuing in me, but it does not erase what Christ has done for me. Should Christians live more exemplary lives? Most certainly. Is the exemplary character of our lives the ground of our Christian identity? No. “Works serve our neighbor and supply the proof that faith is living,” but the work of Christ alone grants our Christian identity.
Our natural inclination is to define ourselves by the Law, as Gervais does. Honest reflection upon the Law leaves us in despair, for we never love our neighbor perfectly though we ought to strive to love her perfectly. Every religion has the Law (though not in its fullness), but only Christianity has the Gospel for it alone has the God-man Jesus Christ who has won the world’s salvation. The Gospel alone brings us the certainty of salvation based upon who Christ is and what He has done for us. The Gospel defines the Christian.
