Category Archives: Gospel, What Is the?

What is “Gospel”? Part 1

Well, Todd Deaver suggested that I post something on the definition of “gospel.” It’s a good idea, because we so often misuse the term. For example, over at GraceConversation.com, Phil Sanders made the argument, Galatians 1:6-9 and 5:4 are sufficient to … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community (Breaking Bread)

I was about to move on to the next topic when I realized I’d never addressed the description of Christian community found in Acts 2. Immediately after Peter’s sermon and the baptism of 3,000, we read, (Acts 2:42-47) They devoted … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community (More Hauerwas)

I probably shouldn’t spend this many posts on the subject — except it’s an area where we struggle … a lot. In America today, community is largely gone. We often barely know our neighbors. We find work is the center … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community, Part 4 (Small Groups)

The fashionable remedy to the Biblical need for community is a program of small groups — and they are fast becoming a standard part of how everyone does church. Which worries me, because if everyone is doing it, it must … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community, Part 3 (Kingdom Parables)

Have you ever noticed how often Jesus begins a parable with the “Kingdom of Heaven is like …”? Well, replace “Kingdom of Heaven” with “church”* and re-read those parables. For example, (Mat 13:31-32) He told them another parable: “The kingdom … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 5 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community, Part 2 (Romans 12)

Notice how in Romans 12 Paul speaks of individual transformation, but  this is expressed over and over again in terms of relationships within the Kingdom — (Rom 12) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Community, Part 1 (Introduction)

Here’s the part of the chart that describes what community is all about — the journey from slavery to freedom in the Promised Land was a community journey devote selves to fellowship meet daily all things in common sharing breaking … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 7 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of Unity

It’s a little surprising that so many baptism, communion, and “gospel” passages point directly toward unity of the saints. I mean, it’s something everyone gives lip service to, but we really don’t take unity seriously, do we? And yet … … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of the Spirit: On Becoming Truly Human for the First Time, Part 2

Eden Look at it this way. Back in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve walked with God. They were God’s household. It was no mere metaphor. They enjoyed communion with the Almighty in a very tangible, immediate way. For … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Which Gospel? The Gospel of the Spirit: On Becoming Truly Human for the First Time, Part 1

In the last post on this topic, I mentioned a “gospel of true humanity.” It’s not something we talk about much, but it’s important — nearly central. It is, after all, what the Spirit is all about. And the baptism … Continue reading

Posted in Gospel, What Is the?, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments