Greg asked us a few questions for us to consider when thinking about our gospel. They are as follows:
- What is the story your gospel comes from (your personal story or bible story)?
- How does your gospel relate to the gospel of Christ?
- In interacting with the Peruvians, how does your gospel relate to the experiences?
- What problem does your gospel answer?
As we let those questions marinate we went to discuss the reading by the famous Bruggeman (he is mostly popular amongst seminary students of an evangelical background). Bruggeman describes evangelism as a three part drama, there is conflict, announcement and appropriation (reaction), he continues to stated that it is an unfinished drama because God is still actively working in this world and as his children we are to work with God.
Discussing Bruggeman's ideas and technique's for evangelism, it led me to thinking about Narrative Therapy and Theology. The story a person creates for themselves impacts the way they see the world,their purpose in the world, and relationships with others. This story also affects their response to the idea of religion or seeking truth. Understanding the stories people have created about themselves and the way they think the world works can assist with producing 2nd order change (permanent, long lasting change). In the area of evangelism there needs to be a use of alternative biblical stories that counteracts/contrasts with the unhealthy stories that they have been holding on to. (Side note: I will be writing a blog about my frustration with the misunderstanding of being a Christ follower and the people that are perpetuating this false understanding).
There are no limits on the gospel, in fact there is most likely a misunderstanding on what the gospel is (yes the gospel does not include steps). Since I consider myself to be a Christ follower I look to Christ to explain what the gospel was/is. Greg challenged us to think beyond this idea that the gospel is love or the 5 steps to salvation and to read what Jesus stated in Mark 1:14-15 when he stated the good news (the gospel) is that the kingdom of God is near. Bruggeman talks about the gospel referring to a new governance and speaks about love. I strongly believe, from reading that the gospel is about love, however not the love people like to focus on. You know? The love that means their life is going to be lemon dots and gum drops. I mean the true sense of the word love that involves intimacy, discipline, and freedom. To prove my point on the gospel being about love, God is love and if the gospel is that the kingdom is near and wherever God is that is where his kingdom is proves my point that the good news is that love is here. Does that make sense? Most likely not.
Okay so when Jesus states the kingdom of God is near what does he mean? Another book states that Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you..." The Greek word that is used is "enthos." The kingdom of God was stated to not come with observation. Well I guess the best next question is "what is the kingdom of God? When Jesus told a scribe that he, the scribe, was close to the kingdom of God, it was in response to the scribe stating that one has to LOVE God with all of one's self and that loving others is more than sacrifices. So the kingdom of God has to do with love....and the gospel is that the kingdom of God is near...so does that mean that the gospel is that love, unlike human love, is near and accessible?
For last Thursday's reading, the theme of evangelism and the kingdom of God was continued from the perspective of two Spanish theology scholars: Arias and Costas.
Discussing Bruggeman's ideas and technique's for evangelism, it led me to thinking about Narrative Therapy and Theology. The story a person creates for themselves impacts the way they see the world,their purpose in the world, and relationships with others. This story also affects their response to the idea of religion or seeking truth. Understanding the stories people have created about themselves and the way they think the world works can assist with producing 2nd order change (permanent, long lasting change). In the area of evangelism there needs to be a use of alternative biblical stories that counteracts/contrasts with the unhealthy stories that they have been holding on to. (Side note: I will be writing a blog about my frustration with the misunderstanding of being a Christ follower and the people that are perpetuating this false understanding).
There are no limits on the gospel, in fact there is most likely a misunderstanding on what the gospel is (yes the gospel does not include steps). Since I consider myself to be a Christ follower I look to Christ to explain what the gospel was/is. Greg challenged us to think beyond this idea that the gospel is love or the 5 steps to salvation and to read what Jesus stated in Mark 1:14-15 when he stated the good news (the gospel) is that the kingdom of God is near. Bruggeman talks about the gospel referring to a new governance and speaks about love. I strongly believe, from reading that the gospel is about love, however not the love people like to focus on. You know? The love that means their life is going to be lemon dots and gum drops. I mean the true sense of the word love that involves intimacy, discipline, and freedom. To prove my point on the gospel being about love, God is love and if the gospel is that the kingdom is near and wherever God is that is where his kingdom is proves my point that the good news is that love is here. Does that make sense? Most likely not.
Okay so when Jesus states the kingdom of God is near what does he mean? Another book states that Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you..." The Greek word that is used is "enthos." The kingdom of God was stated to not come with observation. Well I guess the best next question is "what is the kingdom of God? When Jesus told a scribe that he, the scribe, was close to the kingdom of God, it was in response to the scribe stating that one has to LOVE God with all of one's self and that loving others is more than sacrifices. So the kingdom of God has to do with love....and the gospel is that the kingdom of God is near...so does that mean that the gospel is that love, unlike human love, is near and accessible?
For last Thursday's reading, the theme of evangelism and the kingdom of God was continued from the perspective of two Spanish theology scholars: Arias and Costas.
Arias states in his writing that, "...the kingdom of God is the NEW order of love- depicted by God's motherly tenderness and fatherly authority." Sounds familiar? Jesus proclaims and teaches about the kingdom of God through his parables, the way he treats the people he encounters, and the acts of dying on the cross. Jesus is showing that this concept of love and grace is here and active now.
Jesus's parables are evangelical in nature, they share the old order and the new order and leaves the listener with a decision: forgiveness of sins (a total holistic healing that involves the physical, mental and the spiritual) or remain an outcast (because in those times those that were labeled as a sinner were outcasts). Jesus came to reconcile the sinners to God. This reconciliation allows for the person to have a new life.
The kingdom of God is also the kingdom of life? It would seem that the kingdom of life manifested itself through Christ to affirm human life (physical, psychological, spiritual, and social) and then to restore that life. Another example of Christ reconciling is the idea of breaking bread with people at a table. The idea of eating with different types of people at an open table proclaimed unity and this is where communion takes place to to honor the one that brought all people together.
The kingdom of God is operative in the here and now.
