New Title 8

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 7

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 6

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 5

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 4

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 3

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 2

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.

New Title 1

Through a friend’s Facebook wall, I came across an article in which the author addresses what could be called “Evangelical escapism.” In the author’s own words, it’s the idea that “[the] world is completely and utterly doomed, and all we can do is get as many people into the boat as we prepare to get out of here.” He was against this idea. Take a moment to read the article, and what follows will make more sense to you: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/the-gospel-isnt-about-escaping-this-world-its-about-transforming-it/

I read the article, and I can’t say that the author is absolutely wrong, but I think his message is dangerous—at least due to his presentation. His message would be totally right on if there had been no sin, no cross, no judgment. Jesus’ Good News could just inspire us to love each other and solve all social woes. Jesus could have said, “God’s kingdom is here, so let’s conform the world to it.” But He didn’t say that—because He couldn’t say that. Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The coming of God’s kingdom requires one thing of man: repentance. This author might say, “Yes, and repentance leads to love which is the practice of God’s kingdom, and thus shall the world be transformed.” However, if this were true, what’s the need for a savior? To show us how to transform the world? Or maybe to teach us so that we should become the transformation of the world? In that case, we don’t need Jesus; Gandhi is much more likeable anyway.

The transformation of the world promised in the gospel (a promise I fully believe in) is not dependent on man’s love but on God’s love. This “transformation” hinges on one act of obedience: the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross changes everything. The kingdom of God can be summed up in one word—love. It is this love that Jesus preached, setting a standard for all men. Jesus preached repentance, not revolution or renovation. His baptism would not be of water but of fire and the Holy Spirit.