What is the Gospel?

(Note: I posted this to a leadership group in answer to the question, "Does anyone have a hard time relating the Gospel to the lost these days?")

I too am enjoying this thread - although I appreciate all the theology, this - to me - is where the rubber hits the road.

I told you about my pastor 'confronting' me on having alcohol in the house. I found out yesterday that for the first time in his life, he is not dismissing this as sin - but is considering what I said about having beer available for unsaved friends and family in order to make them feel more at ease. I pointed out to him that Jesus' first miracle was essentially a beer run, and that Jesus "ate and drank and was called a glutton and drunkard" (that's winebibber for you KJVers).

I've tried for many years to be "real" among the lost. This includes not only not getting hung up on doctrines and rules, but removing "christianese" from my vocabulary. Some of you may remember Larry Norman's old schtick..."Have you heard the good news? You're going to Hell!" or "Do you want to be washed in the blood?" The basic rule I try to remember is when dealing w/the lost (unsaved, pre-saved, non-elect) there is ONLY ONE ISSUE - they don't know the Christ.

To be relevant in today's culture we simply have to learn not to flinch when entering into relationship with the lost (Paul - I'm a Young Lifer too). Somehow being in the world and not of the world means that to some degree we are GOING TO GET DIRTY. I'm not sure about the theology of this; I just know it's true. You have to be able to see the world from their point of view; learn to speak their language; learn to relate to them with the things that are important to them. Oh, my theology is as simple as this: God became human. How much did that suck from his perspective? (absolute and pure holiness vs. becoming one of us...think about it).

I'm listening to 'My Chemical Romance' because it's my kids, and many of their friends favorite band. They have a new album out w/a preview video available online. We just watched it this morning. They proclaim themselves to be saving people: "If you're suicidal or strung out - listen to us - we can save you." You want to catch another killer video - check out "Dirty Little Secrets" by All American Rejects. Wow.

Ever read the "Left Behind" series? The most intriguing part for me was the jewish intellectual dude (forget his name) that prepared an entire defense/proof of Jesus as the Christ based on the Old Testament only. I've always wanted to do that - basically, throw out the New Testament and preach Jesus based on personal experience and OT.

Frankly, given that so many people have "issues" with the Bible, I try to evangelize without quoting scripture or making direct references to scripture at all. Put it this way - Jesus didn't have the NT, so why should we use it [to share the Gospel]?

We talk of personal relationship w/God. I ask you, how many people do you know that came to know God/Jesus on their own vs. someone "introduced" them? Everyone should be introduced to God (someone with whom we have a relationship) by someone else. It's like that old Faberge shampoo commercial - "I told two friends, and they told two friends, and they told two friends..." If we're introducing one friend to another, there isn't really a need to fall back on Scripture (especially if people aren't open to the Word).

I try to remember that no matter where people are coming from – no matter how anti-church/god/bible we are all the same. We are designed to have relationship w/God and w/each other, and we are all damaged/injured/hurt because we don't experience this to the fullest. We're all wired the same - so I try to examine how people have been hurt/damaged. It's often painful and ugly, but we're all pretty messed up when you get down to it - and that's common ground from which we can all start.

Gospel message? I try to keep mine simple: God created (doesn't matter how), We are designed to have relationship w/Him but don't because we want to do things on our own (sin), God wanted to fix the problem and did (Jesus), and we are left to make a decision about this (salvation).

Oh, and this might sound really bad, but I often connect w/people by 'bitching' about what those so-called 'Christians/religious people' say about what it takes to be Christian. Frankly, most people's complaints about the Church, albeit skewed, have a fair amount of validity. Complaints should really be a wake-up call to all of us.

That's some of my views, anyway...

Peace.

Intent vs. Impact

I tucked my daughter into bed last night; she was fighting back tears. She was crying out of frustration and hurt. She was frustrated because she felt her pastor had let her down. She was hurt because she had not received encouragement or praise from him - only criticism and negative reinforcement. He had acknowledged his shortcoming a few hours before, and had apologized - but that had been lost in a pool of emotions.

The pastor, btw, is responding to God's call in his life to plant a new church in a nearby community. This call has been affirmed by our own Sr. Pastor, leadership, and community. I'm afraid that the pastor has mentally, emotionally, and spiritually "checked out" from our community. I'm pretty sure this is so; I've seen evidence of this being played out with my children.

My concern is for those in our community, our children - my children, that are still looking to this man for shepherding, pastoring, and leadership. I pray for discipline and focus in the coming months as this transition continues; I pray that there will be a balance between waht is being left behind and that which lays ahead. Amen.

I hate technology

...but I'm caving in and trying out a blog. Don't know how often i'll post, but it seems I need this to respond to others.

If I'm not careful, I might learn something...