Last week I began the month of November by stating that the gospel is the center and the starting point for all discussion concerning spiritual warfare. I argued that living a life of repentance and faith is essential for engaging effectively in the battle.
While I completely agree with what I wrote, I realized over the weekend that I presupposed that folks would know how to define and understand the gospel. In my experience, such a definitional understanding is often lacking.
As I see it, the gospel is really a story of life. It is an explanation for why we are here and what we experience. In the past hundred years, (post) modern philosophy has told us that grand "meta-narratives" are impossible and should be abandoned.
What does this mean? It means that for post-modern folks, any story beyond our small individual story is an imperialistic attempt at control. When Nietzsche declared "God is Dead" he argued that each individual could not look to any outside for meaning and definition. Instead, the individual (or at least the heroic individual) had to make their own "narrative" (or story) to define themselves, their desires, their meaning.
Nietzsche was not alone in advancing this argument. He was merely one of the most colorful. His philosophy undercut any belief in universal morality, truth, or meaning. As a system of thought, it leaves the individual alone. In the end, Nietzsche went mad.
Much of our postmodern thought and philosophy holds to Nietzsche's philosophy at least in theory. It can and has been used to emphasize pragmatic political philosophy and complete human liberty in all matters of sexuality and morality.
The question to ask is two-fold.
First and most importantly, is this true? Do these ideas match reality?
Second and as a means of answering the first, does this philosophy bring satisfaction and joy in life? In other words, does this philosophy work for the you, for others, and for society?
On both accounts, I strongly say no! While it is the philosophy of this age, our age lacks a basis for discovering true love, meaning, purpose, and life. Nietzsche hated the God of the Bible, but I believe he did not understand that God. He did not really understand the story. In fact, most people today who dismiss Christianity do so on the basis of what they have been told about the faith instead of an understanding of the faith as expressed in scripture.
Our world system mocks the Christian faith. Our churches are full of folks who do not understand the implications of the faith so we do not present the truth of Christ with all its force and weight. Consequently, most folks in our culture are satisfied to join in the mocking and dismissal of the gospel instead of investigating the life and truth found within its story!
Contrary to postmodern thought, the gospel story is full and rich in its implications and applications. It is the basis for all great stories in literature. It resonates with people from every continent. It has the ring of truth within it. Why? Because it is foundational truth! It is an understanding of the world that makes sense of the often senseless experience we have. It is not just "personal" as postmodern philosophy would wish to make all truth, but it applies to every situation.
What does this mean? It means that for post-modern folks, any story beyond our small individual story is an imperialistic attempt at control. When Nietzsche declared "God is Dead" he argued that each individual could not look to any outside for meaning and definition. Instead, the individual (or at least the heroic individual) had to make their own "narrative" (or story) to define themselves, their desires, their meaning.
Nietzsche was not alone in advancing this argument. He was merely one of the most colorful. His philosophy undercut any belief in universal morality, truth, or meaning. As a system of thought, it leaves the individual alone. In the end, Nietzsche went mad.
Pictures of Nietzsche. Does he look like someone to trust? At least he does have a cool mustache!
Much of our postmodern thought and philosophy holds to Nietzsche's philosophy at least in theory. It can and has been used to emphasize pragmatic political philosophy and complete human liberty in all matters of sexuality and morality.
The question to ask is two-fold.
First and most importantly, is this true? Do these ideas match reality?
Second and as a means of answering the first, does this philosophy bring satisfaction and joy in life? In other words, does this philosophy work for the you, for others, and for society?
On both accounts, I strongly say no! While it is the philosophy of this age, our age lacks a basis for discovering true love, meaning, purpose, and life. Nietzsche hated the God of the Bible, but I believe he did not understand that God. He did not really understand the story. In fact, most people today who dismiss Christianity do so on the basis of what they have been told about the faith instead of an understanding of the faith as expressed in scripture.
Our world system mocks the Christian faith. Our churches are full of folks who do not understand the implications of the faith so we do not present the truth of Christ with all its force and weight. Consequently, most folks in our culture are satisfied to join in the mocking and dismissal of the gospel instead of investigating the life and truth found within its story!
Contrary to postmodern thought, the gospel story is full and rich in its implications and applications. It is the basis for all great stories in literature. It resonates with people from every continent. It has the ring of truth within it. Why? Because it is foundational truth! It is an understanding of the world that makes sense of the often senseless experience we have. It is not just "personal" as postmodern philosophy would wish to make all truth, but it applies to every situation.
So what is the gospel story?
It begins with God- a creative, loving, and holy being. God loves His creation and He made it all to be in relationship with Him. God creates everything from nothing. This is vitally important. In most religions, God uses the substance already present to fashion a world. In the Biblical gospel narrative, God speaks through the Word to bring everything into existence. This makes God above and beyond all the so called 'gods' of the ancient world.
It begins with God- a creative, loving, and holy being. God loves His creation and He made it all to be in relationship with Him. God creates everything from nothing. This is vitally important. In most religions, God uses the substance already present to fashion a world. In the Biblical gospel narrative, God speaks through the Word to bring everything into existence. This makes God above and beyond all the so called 'gods' of the ancient world.
God creates the entire universe good. In fact, when he is through with the foundations of creation, He declares everything very good (Gen. 1:31). Included in this creation is man and woman, who together reflect the image of God. We were created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. We were created for relationship with God, others, and creation. Furthermore, we were created to be stewards of creation- exploring, protecting, preserving, and using creation wisely.
This explains why sensitive people love the beauty of creation. It explains why we enjoy the fellowship of others. It explains why we value elements of culture, art, and music since human creation continues the creative work of God. As all of these dimensions of our experience reflect the created good, they are beautiful. As all of these dimension of our experience stray from their created good, they move in the direction of ugliness and distortion.
So how do we move away from our created Good? The Gospel declares that creation is fallen because of the fall of humanity from a state of perfect relationship to a state of animosity toward God because of sin.
I know we do not like being called "sinners" but what word better explains our situation? We often know the good we ought to do, but we lack the will to carry it out. This is the state of fallenness. As we move further and further away from the way were made to be, we find it easier and easier to walk in sin without blushing. Why? Because sin piled upon sin leads to hardness of heart. Such a condition refuses to acknowledge its need for God, need for others, or need for being in good relationship with creation.
Does this not describe accurately where most of us live? Does this not describe your life? This post is getting very long, so I will pick up here tomorrow!
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