(Yes, we are back, thanks for hanging in...)
What is "the gospel"? I think our inability to answer this question in our current context is one of the biggest issues in moving churches forward. So, what do you think?
Our authors do a good job in exploring this in chapter 9. "Do you think it might be possible that the primary reason Christianity in the West is in such marked decline is simply due to the fact that we don't know what the gospel is? I know that sounds akin to telling professional basketball players that they don't know how to dribble, or a librarian that he doesn't know how to read very well..." (page 84). "If the gospel is what people think it is, it's no wonder that it's not worth adding church to a busy recreational weekend." (pg 88).
I'd love to hear a sentence or two from each of you about how you would describe what 'the gospel of the kingdom of God" is. Anyone willing to start?
-Nicole
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Okay I will jump in: The gospel is good news for the deepest part of our souls, it addresses the tensions, the pains, the joys of life. As the authors ask: "Have they lost their appetite, NO!". I think we have to find ways of reinterpreting the good news that feeds the soul with real food, not just junk food that feels good and is so bad for us.
ReplyDeleteOK. Here goes. I have described the Good News of the Kingdom of God as this: God has kept God's promise to make the world whole again, to bring healing and reconciliation for all. Death is no longer the ultimate power--life is. AND we get to participate in the work God is doing in the world!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is...
ReplyDeletethe reality of a life transformed from all the lonely, ego centered, self-satisfied, empty, painful, tragic and broken places we find ourselves...
into an exciting, challenging, new life in Christ filled with the healing and powerful presence of an eternal, loving and graceful God....
AND our choice to respond in kind with gratitude by loving God and loving others with all our heart, soul, mind & strength in ever growing and ever surprising ways.
wow, folks. such inspiring theologians in the midst of this book study. who said wesleyans don't have theology? i think that if i were to write something it would just be a reiteration of the PP's and how helpful is that?
ReplyDeleteso i'll just say thank you for your contributions.
but what i will say that is that, sadly, i wonder often how many people in our UMC church communities have a similar understanding of the Gospel as the powerful, transforming good news as we have articulated here?
this must be at the heart of our ministry - to teach, preach, LIVE out this good news -- to ourselves, our worship attendees, and to our communities at large.
How about this being the Gospel, the "Good News?"
ReplyDelete"We are forgiven for our wrong-doing and accepted just as we are!"