The “Just as” Passages
“Pattern theology” seems to be a unique teaching of Restoration churches (churches of Christ and the Christian Churches), at least in comparison to the other faiths and fellowships of “Christendom”. By “pattern theology” I mean the concept of seeing Scripture—the New Testament in particular—as a pattern for our lives, including (or, in the minds of many, especially) for our corporate activities such as the organization, work, and worship of the local church. Now, before you jump to any conclusions, let me affirm that I believe that the Scriptures do reveal a pattern, or patterns, for us to follow. The New Testament frequently stresses the importance of adhering strictly to both the examples and teachings of the apostles (Acts 2.42; 1 Cor 11.1-2; Phil 3.17; 2 Thes 2.15). There are those today in the Restoration churches who now deny the pattern concept altogether, but in light of the many passages that teach us to us to pattern our lives according to the Scriptures, it seems to me that theirs is a difficult position to affirm, let alone follow. Yet on the other hand, our “pattern theology” is not always easy either. While it is easy to see that the Scriptures teach us to follow the pattern of Scripture, it is not always easy to determine exactly what in the New Testament is “pattern” (just consider the many disagreements among churches of Christ). I think we sometimes oversimplify things a bit, perhaps following the pattern of the Restoration Movement more than the pattern of Scripture. If we are honest, we have to admit that it is often difficult to determine what in Scripture is meant as a pattern for all time, as opposed to what is merely the cultural expression of broader principles. Is it possible that we sometimes affirm certain “patterns” with greater force than do the Scriptures, while missing the clear force given by Scripture to certain other patterns?
When it comes to seeing “patterns,” there is no greater
statement made in scripture than the “just as” (or “even as”) passages. I am
talking about those passages in the Bible that tell us to do or to be “just as”
Christ and/or the Father. For example, Jesus said that you are to “be perfect,
even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5.45). If you want to talk about
patterns, talk about that one! Or how about Jn 13.34: “love one another, even as
I have loved you.” Then there is Jn 17.11,21, where Jesus prays that his
followers would be one, even as he and the Father are one. We are also told to
pattern our acceptance of one another on the pattern of Jesus accepting us (Rom
15.17). Mercy, kindness, forbearance, and forgiveness are likewise patterned in
Jesus and God (Lk 6.36; Eph 4.32). I find it instructive that so many of the
“just as” passages have to do with things like love, acceptance, mercy, and
forgiveness. It makes me wonder if we haven’t strained out the gnat and
swallowed the camel. What do I mean by that? Simply that in all of our focus and
fighting (historically at least) over the “pattern” of Scripture, might we have
missed the greatest pattern of all? I’m not denying the importance of doctrinal
purity and truth, but rather appealing to proper emphasis (cf. Mt 23.23). While
we might not always agree on what is “pattern” in regard to corporate activities
in the church, I am certain we can agree on the pattern for how we ought to
treat one another. There is a clear pattern for that, which is no other than God
the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.
© 2006 Randy Hohf