October 11, 2006

  • A Relevant Gospel?  Part1.2

    Where is the line between cultural relevance and
    becoming like culture?  And what is a culturally relevant gospel?     

    The
    fact that Jesus came to give us life and to the full is what I believe makes
    the Gospel relevant to all cultures.  That G-d is in the process of
    restoring and redeeming our world through Christ.  In my opinion this is
    the reason I believe people are still attending church and it is why foreign
    lands are drawn to Jesus like never before.  The reason I believe people
    are leaving the church is not due to the fact that we don't have lights,
    cameras, music, and kiosks, but because we have taken the “good news” out of
    the gospel and we've made it about laws (orthodoxy) and practices (praxis) like
    the Pharisees did.  Not that laws or practices are bad or that they should
    to be overlooked and not studied, however it seems that laws and practices have
    become our functional savior in many ways, not Christ.  

Comments (4)

  • I think it has little to do with orthodoxy or praxis.  It is, for me about orthoproxy, or 'right practice.'  If anything we've McDonald-ized the good news into little hunks that aren't providing the kind of nourishment that Jesus, the bread of life, offered and that Paul talked about. 

    In my opinion, we've made things (like the 'good news') too easy.  I can only speak for my town, but here, there is such a faux-Christian environment that people think they're already doing enough for the Kingdom by just attending church on a Sunday.  Quite frankly, there's no fire testing going here...much less anywhere else in the US.  Not to mention, that some television preachers have folks believing that Americans are indeed God's 'chosen' people.  Too blurry of a line between the cross and the flag for my liking.

    It is far more difficult for people to replicate and internalize the orthoproxy of Jesus.  People aren't willing to spend that kind of time and make that kind of an investment.  Nobody calls them to it.  There's nothing, at least here in my town, that makes us understand and know how much we need each other for the body to function correctly.  People let themselves off the hook, and numbers are seductive for pastors.  There is great risk in calling folks to this kind of fellowship and investment, and most pastors don't want to take it.

    On culture see my blogger post for Sept. 17th: http://wideopen502.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html

    (you may have to scroll down some)

  • Very good point about making the good new too easy. We have watered it down so much. I love that Jesus said that he came to give us life to the full, not the most carefree and happy life. But a life to the full.

    I agree with your point about orthopraxy too. I'm glad their are people out their who've thought it out more than I have. It will help me, when or if I decide to plant a church.

  • the other side of the issue of making the gospel relevant, is making the process of discipleship relevant as well. it is here where more troubles lie in my opinion. it is fairly easy (in the massive scope of things) to show someone how Jesus has changed our lives and convince them of the power he has to change their lives too. it is much more difficult to provide them with an authentic, worshipping community of believers to foster their own continuing spiritual growth. the difficulty lies more in the authentic and community parts. it is my belief that establishing many relevant communities of believers will promote authenticity and a sense of saftey in a way that first christian church of cornfield indiana may not be able to do for everyone. there is beauty in diversity yes, so please don't hear me saying we need a church of reformed prostitutes and a church of tattoo artists and a church of lawyers and a church of teachers. there is a thin line and all i'm advocating is taking a close look at how close we are coming to that line and evaluating what might need a bit of change. the life of any institution is limited unless the vison is redirected. the gift of the gospel must never be compromised, but the packaging it comes in should suit the intended receiver, if you know what i'm saying.

  • Excellent point which immediatly brings up this question in my mind? Shouldn't we focus on planting new relevant churches? Because church planting (in America) is proven to be the best way to reach the unchurched and the best way to reform existing churches.

    However, I still wonder if our gospel isn't part of the issue of creating "authentic community". Our gospel is high individualistic and the focus is saving me from hell. Which is definetly one of the main themes of the gospel, but its also for a renewed kingdom that is in harmony (Shalom) with G-d and his order. By communicating that aspect of the gospel, I think we will see a greater increase of authenticy community.

    Maybe the best scenario would be to plant a church with a relevant and complete gospel. Wouldn't that be a novel idea? You want to do it, with us? :)

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment