Friday, August 22, 2008

Dude, Where's My Gospel?

My latest piece at SearchWarp:

The Gospel Imperative

Lists four basic reasons for greater gospel-centeredness in the Church's teaching.

3 comments:

DJ | AMDG said...

Jared,

I read the part 5. I confess I haven't read the previous parts. It strikes me, though, that you've built up a straw man in your preferential argument for missional church versus attractional church. If even one attractional church, as you (or they) might describe them also embraces the proficiencies you list for missional church, your arguement become moot. Frankly, I do not believe the dichotomy you describe is as universal as you make it. If I am right, then your writing of theory could be detrimental to the Kingdom. Should an "attractional" be effectively ministering to a young beleiver or seeker, and they become influenced by your article, you could very well derail the positive work that church was doing in the life of that person.

I do not like these either or articles where Christians talk of each others' methods of ministry as good, better, and best. I do not believe they help advance the Kingdom.

As I've said, if even just one "attactional" church is effectively doing the work of the Kingdom, then the tone of your article is off base and your stance requires rethinking. Your brush is dangerously broad.

DJ

AMDG

Jared said...

DJ, your comment is fair if taking this post out of the context of the ones leading up to it (esp. the introduction) and all else I've said in this space about church. I allow for overlap and warn against broadbrush.
But my space is limited and I can't hem and haw, or else I bury my point in length and disclaimers.

I've written before on good gifts the attractional church has given us and have stated more than once that there are good aspects of the attractional movement and bad aspects of the missional movement and good/bad in all points in between.

I believe your criticism is unwarranted. I appreciate it, though.

And I don't think anyone can advance or retreat the kingdom. God is advancing it, and he will not be stopped, by me or anybody else. My job is merely to proclaim and enjoy its advancement.

Peace

DJ | AMDG said...

Good retort. I do need to read more of your writings. You are correct re: how much or deep one can write to necessarily make their point. It's not easy.

As for your comment, "I don't think anyone can advance or retreat the kingdom. God is advancing it, and he will not be stopped, by me or anybody else," I'm not so sure. There is a tremendous amount of theology behind that which you said. I'm not prepared here to write about it nor likely ever will be anywhere. I will say that scripture tells of more than one time of God's actions being hindered by the sin of both believers and enemies. You can argue that the hindrance was also part of God's plan, hence his kingdom advanced since his plan advanced...but I think that's a stretch.

I do like Mordecai's exhortation ot Esther, though, which does imply your are correct.

"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

It is awesome to think that whether I do right by God or not, his will WILL be done.

DJ

AMDG