You may find of interest the Trinitarian, incarnational exposition of the gospel from Bruce Wauchope of Perihoresis, Australia. His presentation is posted in a series of videos on YouTube. Here is one part:
Hi Ted Just finished watching the complete series of videos and realize that at 61 I haven't even started to touch the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of the love that Father,Son and Holy Spirit have for all humanity, even though it is all in me. It is exhilarating to know that all of us are known and already know, just live by His faith.
Anonymous said…
I would love to see us come up with a diagram tool that would effectively communicate the real gospel of inclusion.
I share your desire. Many of us are familiar with the "canyon" diagram which Wauchope appropriately critiques. It is based on a theology that assumes ongoing separation between God and humanity.
Anyone have ideas about a diagram that would illustrate universal (objective) inclusion, while inviting people to personal (subjective) response?
The core of the evangelical invitation in light of universal reconciliation/inclusion is simply (but profoundly) this: "You are loved, included and forgiven - believe it, and take up the cross and follow Jesus."
What would a diagram telling that story look like?
One of our readers responded by suggesting a four page booklet that would show the gospel journey with Jesus in five sequential steps:
1. Step one: a picture of the Trinity in a group hug, the message being that God is love and has been love for all eternity.
2. Step two: You have always longed for a loving relationship, but you've somehow felt distant from God, who is love. Perhaps you grew up in an unloving environment, perhaps you've been abused, perhaps you've never felt you could measure up, etc. (This is their personal/subjective reality).
3. Step three: The good news is that you've always been right in the center of God's love from the foundation of the world- you just haven't realized it yet. Illustrate this with a picture of the Trinity with the person or mankind included in the group hug. (This is the objective reality of all humankind included in God's life and love in the person of Jesus).
4. Step four: God has always loved you and you are the apple of his eye, the best part of his day... He wants to share his love with you. Believe it...
5. Step five: Grow relationally with others who understand this amazing love. This is the invitation to walk as a disciple of Jesus in the company of other believers - in a small group, church, etc.
Anonymous said…
Hi Ted,
I may be missing something. But I often find the description of what the gospel is and how this description played out in the early church missing from the discussions of the gospel and its relevance to us of this day and age. Furthermore, when a description is attempted, it often comes across as an ill defined, often undefined, something or other Christianity teaches and embraces.
But this is not satisfactory to me as the gospel is not a magic formula, or a way of acting, or a vagueness. It is a declaration. This declaration is: JESUS IS LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.
Now to our modern ears, this can sound strange. But to the earliest Christians, this declaration resounded with boldness and determination about Jesus Christ. And this declaration stood in contrast to Caesar's declaration that "Caesar is lord." You see, Caesar had a problem. This problem was that Caesar could and did die but could not stand again through his own efforts.
And, you know, we have the same problem. We can and will die, and there is no fix we naturally have to change this fact. It is only through the gospel that we can see this fix. Because of this fix, we can rejoice that: JESUS IS LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. For Paul, this changed everything as he showed in his rejoicing at what awaited him in his words to the Philippians. Please note his inclusion of the gospel declaration in these words:
Philippians 3:8-11--Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (KJV)
My point is that when we view the gospel as a declaration, we can stand with hope and joy that; JESUS IS (our) LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM (and He will do so for us, as well) FROM THE DEAD.
Richard, I don't think you're missing anything other than, perhaps understanding that the discussion here has included making an evangelical invitation to believe this gospel that Jesus is Lord.
In making such an invitation, it's vital to remember that the imperative (believe and follow) follows the indicative (Jesus is Lord, and in Christ you are loved, accepted, included and forgiven).
We don't invite people to believe and follow Jesus in order to be forgiven, but BECAUSE they are forgiven and reconciled to the Father.
Comments
Ben
Just finished watching the complete series of videos and realize that at 61 I haven't even started to touch the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of the love that Father,Son and Holy Spirit have for all humanity, even though it is all in me. It is exhilarating to know that all of us are known and already know, just live by His faith.
I share your desire. Many of us are familiar with the "canyon" diagram which Wauchope appropriately critiques. It is based on a theology that assumes ongoing separation between God and humanity.
Anyone have ideas about a diagram that would illustrate universal (objective) inclusion, while inviting people to personal (subjective) response?
The core of the evangelical invitation in light of universal reconciliation/inclusion is simply (but profoundly) this: "You are loved, included and forgiven - believe it, and take up the cross and follow Jesus."
What would a diagram telling that story look like?
1. Step one: a picture of the Trinity in a group hug, the message being that God is love and has been love for all eternity.
2. Step two: You have always longed for a loving relationship, but you've somehow felt distant from God, who is love. Perhaps you grew up in an unloving environment, perhaps you've been abused, perhaps you've never felt you could measure up, etc. (This is their personal/subjective reality).
3. Step three: The good news is that you've always been right in the center of God's love from the foundation of the world- you just haven't realized it yet. Illustrate this with a picture of the Trinity with the person or mankind included in the group hug. (This is the objective reality of all humankind included in God's life and love in the person of Jesus).
4. Step four: God has always loved you and you are the apple of his eye, the best part of his day... He wants to share his love with you. Believe it...
5. Step five: Grow relationally with others who understand this amazing love. This is the invitation to walk as a disciple of Jesus in the company of other believers - in a small group, church, etc.
I may be missing something. But I often find the description of what the gospel is and how this description played out in the early church missing from the discussions of the gospel and its relevance to us of this day and age. Furthermore, when a description is attempted, it often comes across as an ill defined, often undefined, something or other Christianity teaches and embraces.
But this is not satisfactory to me as the gospel is not a magic formula, or a way of acting, or a vagueness. It is a declaration. This declaration is: JESUS IS LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.
Now to our modern ears, this can sound strange. But to the earliest Christians, this declaration resounded with boldness and determination about Jesus Christ. And this declaration stood in contrast to Caesar's declaration that "Caesar is lord." You see, Caesar had a problem. This problem was that Caesar could and did die but could not stand again through his own efforts.
And, you know, we have the same problem. We can and will die, and there is no fix we naturally have to change this fact. It is only through the gospel that we can see this fix. Because of this fix, we can rejoice that: JESUS IS LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. For Paul, this changed everything as he showed in his rejoicing at what awaited him in his words to the Philippians. Please note his inclusion of the gospel declaration in these words:
Philippians 3:8-11--Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (KJV)
My point is that when we view the gospel as a declaration, we can stand with hope and joy that; JESUS IS (our) LORD, AND GOD RAISED HIM (and He will do so for us, as well) FROM THE DEAD.
All the best!
J. Richard Parker
I don't think you're missing anything other than, perhaps understanding that the discussion here has included making an evangelical invitation to believe this gospel that Jesus is Lord.
In making such an invitation, it's vital to remember that the imperative (believe and follow) follows the indicative (Jesus is Lord, and in Christ you are loved, accepted, included and forgiven).
We don't invite people to believe and follow Jesus in order to be forgiven, but BECAUSE they are forgiven and reconciled to the Father.