Gospel Conversations
Yesterday some friends and I were talking about life and spirituality as we drove back to Barcelona after being on vacation. We got on the topic of the Gospel and seemed to stay there for awhile. I welcomed the conversation, but also found it confusing and challenging in ways I had never expected. Let me explain...I've always thought I had a working "definition" for what the Gospel is and now I'm finding that maybe it isn't that easy to define, describe or grasp. Here are some questions I thought I would throw out there. Anyone can feel free to answer. 1. What is the Gospel? 2. How is the Gospel most appropriately communicated?
entrada de Eva @ 7.7.05
2 comentarios
2 comentarios:
Eva,
It is always a delight to read your blog and see what is happening! Looking forward to seeing Amanda cutting up wtih you! I love the pictures!
Your questions are wonderful because I think that when we come to a static ownership of the gospel, it is smelly and stale and not alive. What is the gospel? I used to the think it was the story of Jesus dying for my sins, saving me from hell and that was it... anymore, it's how he is redeeming my daily life, my very being, who I am... where do I spend my money, my time, my mind, my love? Is it all saturated with the gospel or just a few sprinkles here and there? I took an Apologetics class this spring and had a lot of my assumptions about the world and the gospel challenged. I don't know about presentation... you are an individual, as is everyone you meet. There isn't a set presentation that fits everyone. The gospel is relational, so is a presentation of the gospel. What do you think about the gospel, about Christ? What is important to the other person, how do you relate Christ to them? By knowing them as people, loving them and being involved, living the gospel in front of them. Francis Schaeffer always said "Your life is your final apologetic." This doesn't mean a perfect life but a transparent life in which Christ is shining and renewing and alive.
Hope this helps. Take care!
Heather Sparkman
Eva,
Like you, I always thought I had a grasp on what the Gospel is, how to define it, and how to get other people to wrap their minds and hearts around it. I even have a degree in theological religion (like you) and I, today,couldn't tell you what the Gospel is or how to make it understood to other people. I know all the 'church' answers but they no longer make any sense to me. In my life today, I believe that there is an underlaying meaning of what the Gospel is but I also believe that for each person on earth it takes a different main meaning (from love, peace, forgiveness, etc). One of those meanings means more to each person. So to that, I don't have a complete defination of the Gospel but I also don't believe we're supposed to have the answer. That's my thoughts. I hope you are doing well...know you are thought of often.
~Vicki †
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