The gospel is at the center of all we do. The “gospel” is the good news that through Jesus, the Messiah, the power of god’s kingdom has entered history to renew the whole world. Through the Savior God has established his reign. When we believe and rely on Jesus’ work and record (rather than ours) for our relationship to God, that kingdom power comes upon us and begins to work through us. We witness this radical new way of living by our renewed lives, beautiful community, social justice, and cultural transformation. This good news brings new life. The gospel motivates, guides, and empowers every aspect of our living and worship.
He follows this up by speaking of four commitments: gospel---community----mission----shalom. He describes these four commitments this way:
The order is important. As we are affected by the gospel, we are empowered to move into community to care for one another, we begin to reach outside of our community with acts of mercy – mission. And as we move into our community with acts of service and mercy, we begin to look for ways to make and renew culture and its institutions so that they honor God’s original design for creation. This is shalom. The more we live in community, are merciful and transform culture, the more we need the gospel to empower and transform us, and the circle starts over again – gospel, community, mission and shalom.
The author has provided reviews of the book (good and bad) at the link above (just click through "The Gospel" above to read more.
What do you think about this definition of the deep gospel? Would this definition make us more healthy as followers of Christ? How would this definition shape the culture of the local church and leadership?
Want to learn more? Go to our recommended books list and buy a copy through amazon and come back here and leave your thoughts or go to our Facebook group: NWBC3 and start a discussion.
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