Studying for the Wrong Test

I love it! Can I use your comments Sunday morning?

Great parable Don. In our never-ending quest for tangibles doctrine, numbers, stats, and money are the easiest thing to track. Until the statisticians create an equation to measure the percentage of Great Commission effectiveness a particular church or person has we are up a creek without a paddle.

Don- Excellent!

And if you wanted to compare apples to apples the test questions should really be: Do you “BELIEVE” in feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked etc.

Nice One!!
I am always amazed to these three main central issues in American Christiendom. Abortion, Homosexuality, and Bible fundamentalism. Only one bad answer is enough to qualify you as “a dangerus liberal” an even a non christian.
Once, an American vistor in my church told me that Obama was clearly not a christian becouse he was not 100% against homosexuality.

I like your article, and if you don’t mind I will reproduce it on my blog and probably use your parabole at church, changed to a French context probably.

Liz: Yes that probably would have been a more direct parallel. Although I am never quite sure what people really mean when they say, “believe in.”

Ricardo: By all means, share it. If I actually knew a foreign language, I would write something witty in French right now.

Tex: Great to hear from you. Share away and let me know how it goes.

Interesting parable. I’d alter it to say that instead of test on chapter 12 it wasn’t a test at all, but a party where the once hungry, the peacemakers and the others were already dancing away! Disgusted at all the effort put into studying for the exam that never will be, he turns to go. But then someone puts a drink in his hand, another drags him out on the dance floor, and before you know it he is having an amazing time…inspite of himself.

I say we study for both tests. I’m willing to bet they are equally important to God. Remember the 1st commandment, Love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart and the 2nd, Love your neighbor as yourself.

Phil – great point
BA – yes I agree. Just pointing out the disproportional emphasis on one aspect of our faith

It was a witty little parable however, the church that focuses more on the social gospel and neglects (not even ignores it) Christs Gospel is in danger of dragging good hearted people who want to help, to condemnation. Since we are not saved by work but faith; as James says,”faith without work is dead.” He didn’t mean that we don’t need faith, just that its incomplete without the works which are really the evidence and work of the Holy Sirit in us. People in fact, tread on dangerous ground when they emphasize this “social” gospel just as people who focus on chaining themselves to the doors of the aborion clinic and shouting at the young girls deal are in danger of driving people away from the sweet taste of God’s Mercy and Grace. Jesus didn’t tie Himself to the Gates of Jerusalem protesting the crucifixions that probably went on rather frequently at the time because He had a higher purpose. We need balance between both and should not over emphasize either.

It was a witty little parable, however the church that focuses more on the social gospel and neglects (not even ignores it) Christs Gospel is in danger of dragging good hearted people who want to help to condemnation, since we are not saved by work but faith. James however, says “faith without work is dead.” He didn’t mean that we don’t need faith, just that its incomplete without the works which are really the evidence and work of the Holy Sirit in us. People in fact, tread on dangerous ground when they emphasize this “social” gospel just as people who focus on the pro-life deal are in danger of driving people away from the sweet taste of God’s Mercy and Grace. Jesus didn’t tie Himself to the Gates of Jerusalem protesting the crucifixions that probably went on rather frequently at the time because He had a higher purpose. We need balance between both and should not over emphasize either.

Scott – I may be misconstruing your comments, but are you making a distinction between the “social” gospel and “Christ’s gospel?” I believe they are the same thing – not an either/or. I realize some use the word gospel to essentially mean atonement theory, but I think the gospel encompassed more than that. For instance, Mark 1 tells us Jesus went around preaching the gospel. Since he had not died nor been raised yet, what was the gospel at that point?

Also, one aspect of my piece was to ask why these three issues in particular are the litmus tests of faith these days. Curiously, I was recently asked these questions by someone who is from a denomination has a very different view about predestination/free will compared to my own. Why was this not the question asked me? Seems to me it has bigger implications. If we lived in 16th century Geneva, that would have been first question I was asked. Yet this same person would most likely deny that their faith is contextual.

I believe the Gospel of Christ encompasses salvation by faith and exercising that faith by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. However, if we feed the hungry guy, but ignore the salvation message we are doomed. That is the test both “camps” fail probably. I just gave the 2 tests in your parable a common name that is attributed to them, hence the quotes. I can’t judge your specific angle, but if you are doing both well, then you are a better man than I. My only concern is that we don’t accept what is clearly wrong because we don’t want to offend anyone. I still express my love to a homosexual sibling. While she knows that I don’t believe what she is doing is right she knows that I love her and would do anything for her. I also make it clear that I’m nowhere near qualified to judge her. Incidentally, I may have a different position on some of the issues than you, but you and I both might be disturbed that the Republican “platform” is based on “X” and the Dems on “y” when both may have some good that shouldn’t be defined by a man made barrier.

Correction: My only concern is that we accept what is clearly wrong because we don’t want to offend anyone.

Don- I’m not quite sure if you agree. I’m not trying to sound hostile or condensending of your ministry(or even to grade your test as an F). As I think it is very important for a church to have pantries as well as a ministry for those in need. But I do think its just as, if not more important, to have a strong Biblical foundation. If one sidesteps right teaching in hopes of trying to become more accepted and not push away, then one becomes the blind leading the blind. I’m not saying we should go in condemning those who are not saved, calling them sinners and devils as some would do, but I do believe its important for those who do not believe to be made aware that they are sinners, so that they understand the need of Christ in their life. So that they can repent and turn away. It is important that they hear that homosexuality is not God’s plan for marriage, abortion is not God’s plan for that child,and the list goes on.Just not in the hostile way many “Bible thumpers” would do. I’m reminded of when Jesus saved the prostitute from being stoned, he stated,”Go and leave your life of sin.” I am like those who pick up the stone to stone her, I cannot condemn because I am a sinner; but I can be like Jesus and encourage those who are in sin to not sin and those who share the same sins as I, we can strengthen each other. The bottomline is this, if we ignore right dogma, we are not following the command’s of God and thus failing at commandment 1, if we are not loving our neighbor, we are failing and breaking commandment 2.

Awesome parable. Thanks!

Re: Chapter 12

*Jesus ate with the outcasts and the rejects

*Jesus identified completely with the most vulnerable

*Jesus the embodiment of God’s Message. The written Word, according to Luther, is the manger that holds the Christ. For me, the important thing is not arguing over inerrancy, but that the Bible holds and points to Christ.

Re: Chapter 13

Loved people, love people. Forgiven people, forgive people. Fed people, feed people. Washed people, wash people. Therefore, according to the biblical grammar and pattern of God’s action empowering our action, making a distinction between the “social Gospel” and “Christ’s Gospel” doesn’t make sense to me.

Peace, Tim

Having two “Gospels” is for those who ignore the fact that without faith in Christ and His work on the cross, we are condemned. I’m just not hearing that in this forum. I’m hearing only one side of the message. No offense folks, it just is what it is. Both Loving God with all your being and loving your neighbor are required as Jesus said.

Tim-

The social gospel is only one aspect of Jesus’ gospel.The only ones seperating the gospel are those who advocate a pure “social gospel” approach, and those who focus so much on following God’s moral commands that they forget about those outside the church who need the help of the church. As I said before, study for both tests.

Don-
Excellent! Thanks for sharing this. I may use it at my church as well!

peace.

well what is it that you want to hear b.a. and scott? I believe our brother has explained himself and what he was trying to say well enough.
To quote from someone on here, loved people love people.
If you’re looking for your exact belief to be proped up, it won’t be. The social gospel you speak of is a culmination of both feeding the hungry and healing the sinner…
but i guess that point was missed.
Good job Don.

Don, as one who is years younger than you, I must point out your naivity. You may remember me trying to instruct you on this before.

We need to preach against the sins that we do not have in our congregation. Otherwise we will not make the budget.

Just preach the gospel Don. The family of 5 that just moved out of their home into the 2 bedroom apartment, who are broke, jobless, and hanging on by a shred of hope have entered your church only to hear your 3 point sermon (Hopefully you will have clever alliteration this time).

To offer them anything tangible, (aside from a gospel tract of course) would be watering it down. The gospel does not need you to give clothing, food, water, because let’s face it, that’s an inconvenience to the church. If you ask me, God is probably punishing them for not coming into your church sooner and for not tithing and they probably watch American Idol and we all know how God feels about idolatry.

I remember a former student of mine wondering what would happen if she preached the cross and resurrection AND bought groceries. As you can imagine, I looked at this poor soul and said, “You can’t preach, you’re a woman?” and laughed and laughed. Then a man came and asked the same question and I said, “Both?” and I laughed, and laughed.

Please Don, just preach the gospel and stop trying to advance the Kingdom in some “new” way that you think Jesus did and just do what you’ve been called to do, shrink the church, ignore the neglected, and preach to the over-churched.

Don:

To be candid, there is a test—a “Part-A-Part-B” doozie of Heart and Works!

Part 1. The Heart: Jesus judges. He judges the heart of all men (Mat. 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.)

Part 2. The Works: Others judge. They judge our actions to see if we are in Christ:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Mat. 5:16

God Judges and will Judge: The hidden recesses of our hearts. Reserved for God to judge: 
“No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” 1 Cor. 2:11 (NLT)

“So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” 1 Cor. 4:5;

Others Judge: If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck… Our works are displayed for man and angels to see and to judge: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat. 7:16

If we are born from above, we have His “DNA” (2 Cor. 5:17) , something hidden and innermost (the new heart or new man) the New nature will dictate the outward form and practices (if we choose to obey) resulting in Godly outward works!

“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.” 1 Jn 2:3 (NLT);

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Jn. 13:34 (NLT)

Marc—http://twitter.com/MarcWright
http://just1church.wordpress.com

Haiku warm-up

Boogie board cousins
Riding Ocean City waves
Sunscreen washed away

Haiku controversy
What way should we go
Orthodox or heretic
Or imagine joy

Monica:

What would I like to hear monica? I’d like to hear the full gospel being taught. There is more to the gospel then feed the hungry and help the poor. Don’t get me wrong, those are very important aspects of the gospel and surely should be on the top of the list for any church. However, there are things Jesus taught that seem to be kicked to the side by those who teach the social gospel.

B.A.
I am no advocate of the social gospel. I believe there is one gospel (not two) and that social and/or political activism is not an aspect of the gospel or a part of it but central and vital to it.

I am curious what things Jesus taught you think are “kicked to the side” by those who do promote a “social gospel.” Could you explain?

Thanks for your words. I think waking up to what is most Christ-like is vital if we are to be relevant. Christianity poorly practiced has become so mean and exclusive. Jesus would not recognize much of it.

Don… Amen.