Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18: 9-14).
It is an unfair, gross distortion to hold that Rome teaches justification by works, while we Protestants teach justification by faith. The more accurate distinction recognizes on both sides the necessity of the work of Christ. Rome affirms that His righteousness is necessary for our salvation, that without it we are without hope. That righteousness, however, becomes ours through infusion. Protestants affirm also that His righteousness is necessary for salvation, that we have no hope without it. It, however, becomes ours through imputation.
Some here are quick to affirm that our differences now amount to nothing more than a tempest in a teapot. We are arguing over two, thick, theological terms that are not a part of our ordinary language. Surely such a nuance must be insignificant. But it’s not, as Jesus’ parable illustrates. Let’s look at these two men, what they have in common and what separates them.
First, it is an unfair, gross distortion to hold that the Pharisee believes he justifies himself. How quickly we pass over the one good part of his prayer, “Lord, I thank you…” The Pharisee knows from whence came the power to make him righteous. He knows that he needed the grace of God, that God had to work in him, that God is due all the glory for his obedience. The publican likewise looks to God and His grace as His only hope. He knows where to turn, even as the Pharisee knows whom to thank.
The difference, however, is here. The Pharisee believes that God’s grace has made him whole, that he is now, albeit by the grace of God, just in himself. God helped him out. God stood him up. But now he is standing on his own two feet. He gives thanks to God that he is better than other men, that he doesn’t commit this sin and that, that he performs this duty and that. God has poured righteousness into him, and there he stands.
The publican, on the other hand, knows what he still is, a sinner. The mercy he cries out for isn’t that he would be made a saint, but that he would be a forgiven sinner. He cannot cooperate. He cannot stand. He can only, and even this is the grace of God, cry out for the mercy of God, which is found in Christ alone.
The bigger difference than the differing approaches of these two men, however, is what it meant for their eternities. Only one of these two men went home justified. Only one of these men was an adopted son of the living God. Only one of these two men will spend eternity walking with God in paradise. The other will spend eternity weeping and gnashing teeth. Teapot tempests have no such eternal consequences.
– Dr. R. C. Sproul, Jr.
I do not think the picture Brother Sproul paints of this Pharisee is anything like the image Christ depicts on his parabolic canvas of Luke 18:9-14. The first sentence provides the crucial element to correctly understand what our Lord is saying. He addressed this parable to some who “trusted in themselves.” A primary dictionary definition of trust is “reliance on and confidence in the truth, worth, reliability, etc, of a person.” It is not God but himself that the Pharisee was trusting. Grace had no place at all in this man’s religion. You cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. Neither can you put trust in yourself (man) and God at the same time. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.’” Jeremiah 17:5
The beginning of the Pharisee’s prayer, “Lord, I thank you…” is not the heartfelt expression of a grateful soul for the grace of God at work in his life but the pious ejaculation of a self-absorbed man intended only for the tickling of his own ears and those around him. How do I know? Jesus stated it was so, “The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself.” (Amplified Bible) An ostentatious man is characterized by a pretentious, showy, or vulgar display. His prayer was never intended for the ears of God. Many draw near to God with pious words but their hearts are far from him. Many will cry out Lord, Lord on judgment day only to hear Christ’s words “I never knew you.” I also see nothing in this parable to make me believe this Pharisee was ever concerned about being justified before God. Seems to me Brother Sproul’s characterization of this Pharisee is the real distortion of what Christ is attempting to say to those who are trusting in themselves. However, his words about the Publican are spot on.
I was raised a Catholic from birth and devoted to the teachings of Catholicism. The Catholic Church teaches faith and works for salvation but the problem with that is over time works become the primary focus and faith fades into the background. I know because I worked hard to gain a level of righteousness that would make me acceptable to God and allow my passage into heaven upon death. My heart was constantly on works and never on faith. Are all Catholics like this? I don’t know but I do know I was this way. In my mind the eternal resting place of my soul was dependent on me and not Christ. I have been asked “How did you find Christ?” My reply is “I didn’t, he found me.” I was busy establishing my own righteousness when in my 28th year Jesus came to me and reveal a heart within dead in sins and trespasses. He made it crystal clear all of my efforts and works of righteousness would ever be accepted by his Heavenly Father. When my heart saw and understood the horrific plight of my spiritual condition, it was then I cried out, just like the Publican, for Christ to have mercy on me. And he most surely did. From that point on I never again looked to myself or to works of any kind but have focused only on Christ and trusting him completely (100%) for eternal life.
Thanks for your comment Loddie. I agree with much of what you say, however, I would not be so dismissive of Sproul Jr’s interpretation. Certainly the Pharisee had a corrupt heart, but the phrase “I thank You God..” does at least show that he believed the righteous life he thought he had was owing to God and His grace. People only thank those who do something for them. Clearly the Pharisee thought God was the root cause of his righteousness. However, to try to mix grace and works is a futile effort as Romans 11:6 affirms, and to trust in the slightest upon our works, is to reveal a heart in rebellion against God and His revelation of grace found in Christ.
I am with Sproul, Jr.. the Phraisee portrayed a doctrine of righteousness in harmony with Rome’s heretical view of grace.