I’m in a 2 week long intense class on the Gospel of John. Conequently, any new material probably will not surface until July. But because I like to keep new(er) ideas appearing on the front page, I’m going to recycle a few posts on the (un)offensive gospel of Jesus, the notion that the good news of Jesus is not inherently offensive as many Christians believe and declare, but is rather good and hopeful and inheretly wonderful to those who need what Jesus offers. And properly presented and explained, people should
About a month ago I put out this question: “How Does Jesus Define the Gospel?”
I left it open for people to sound-off and try their hand at articulating Jesus’ articulation of the gospel. Not Piper’s or Paul’s, but Jesus’. In our emerging, postmodern culture we need to recapture how Jesus defined his own gospel. And the reason I posted this question is really for this post. I wanted to get some ideas about how people defined the gospel in relationship to Jesus, because I wanted to write about something that’s been churning in my heart for 2 years or so that resulted from an experience in ministry a few years ago.
Let me paint a scene for you:
I was at a ministry retreat for congressional staffers where I was suppose to train them to share the gospel. Afterwards for dinner at a seafood restaurant that served the best crab-cakes outside of Maryland, I was at a table with some staffers, friends, and a coworker and we were having a discussion about the evening and other rather “progressive” notions of Christianity. We began talking about the Kingdom of Heaven and what that meant, and then we got talking about radically following Jesus and the gospel.
The conversation was going real well until I chimed in with: “and you know what really bothers me? When people say that the gospel is offensive. I hear people saying, ‘oh they are not rejecting you the evangelist but the gospel and Jesus, because the they are offensive. That’s ridiculous!”
Then nothing but crickets and blank stares… It was one of those awkward moments when the whole place sorta fell silent all at once and every eyeball was fixated on me and my brilliant idea.
So I continued, a bit hotter and sweatier: “What I mean is Jesus and his good news was not offensive. When you look at the Scriptures you see people flocking to him and wanting to be around him and touch him. The Jesus and his message doesn’t seem all that offensive to me…”
To which people sorta shifted in there seats and mumbled a “yeah” and quickly changed the subject. AWK-ward.
As I’ve thought about that experience more and wrestled with what the good news of Jesus really is and who Jesus was, I am convinced more than ever that, understood properly, Jesus and his news isn’t offensive, but more so to the people who need him and that message. We are the ones that offend as we be Jesus and share his message. Let me explain:
First, here were some great responses to my previous question:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son …”
Jesus wants us to unconditionally love each other, help each other, and be good to each other. This means feeding the poor, clothing people, helping to heal people, caring for people, and trying to help those that are (in the eyes of society, irreparably) screwed up, etc. Another part of the gospel is loving God. For me, this means trying to see the good in the world that God is/ could be responsible for, and also doing all of the things listed above for other people.
“The Kingdom of God/heaven is at hand”. In this way, Jesus offers us all a new way of being human, the way that we were created to be. The good news is that it is here, now.
All of these responses definitely capture the essence of the good news of Jesus. Now, here is, I believe, Jesus’ articulation of the gospel: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Much of this was brilliantly commented by George in the original post. And as Maria said, Jesus wants us to love others and love God, which is Jesus’ Creed and the way we live out this kingdom-movement God began by sending Jesus into the world as a blood-sacrifice.
Indeed, the good news that all of creation had been groaning for since after the dawn of Creation was this declaration by Jesus: “The Kingdom of Heaven has now invaded the world! My movement to re-Create the world anew is beginning. This is good news, and comes by denying and giving up the Way of this World and following me.”
Now my problem is this: how in the world is this offensive? If the whole world is groaning for re-creation as Paul says in Romans, and if all people are thirsting after Life and deep-down desire this re-Creation, why would anyone be offended by this?
Throughout the Gospels, wherever Jesus went this invading Reign Jesus spoke of followed. Throughout Galilee he restored their social dignity, he healed their diseases, brought sight to the blind, and made the lame walk. In fact, when John the Baptizer (noooo, he wasn’t a Baptist!) asked if Jesus was the Messiah, here was his response: “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” These were the very words Jesus said were prophesied in Isaiah concerning Jesus’ ushering in of the Reign/Kingdom of God.
If everywhere Jesus went people found holistic (social, economic, physical, and spiritual) healing and restoration, and people followed him as a result of this restoration, who were offended? Were they not those in power who sought to destroy Jesus’ kingdom-vision and movement? To me, it seems like those who were offended by Jesus were the religious leaders of the day who were threatened by Jesus’ teachings and restorative power. Those in power sought to maintain power by killing the man who threatened that power, Jesus of Nazareth.
So what of this notion that people are offended by the gospel and Jesus? If the power inherent in this good news is the restoration and Life all people are seeking, why would we think people would be offended? Could there be ANOTHER reason so many are so turned off to Jesus and that good news?
In this emerging, postmodern culture, WE are the ones who are offensive; those whom Jesus has sent to be witnesses to him and his message are the ones who offend. Jesus isn’t offensive, the version of him we give to the world is. The gospel isn’t offensive, the version of that good news we tell to the world is.
How is this the case, you ask? Lets wrestle with this now and over the next week or two. Because as we enter into Advent season I want to show and tell the world about a Savior and Kingdom that is real and deep and magical, rather than fake and thin and drowsy let alone…offensive.
Theres alot in this post I disagree with. Namely the whole premise. the gospel IS offensive. I think you’re discounting the effect of sin in the lives of humans. Darkness hates light. Sure some people flocked to Jesus but many did not. And of those that did, how many really wanted to follow Him verses how many just wanted miracles? Jesus talks about this throughout the gospels.
You basically summed up the gospel this way: “declaration by Jesus: “The Kingdom of Heaven has now invaded the world! My movement to re-Create the world anew is beginning. This is good news, and comes by denying and giving up the Way of this World and following me.”
You dont see how thats offensive? The whole denying and giving up the way of the world. People hate that. Because the gospel isnt about us. Its about living how we were created to live, which is difficult. Though people dont like the suffering, they are comfortable with how this world opporates because they feel like they’ve figured it out and try to make their lives as safe as possible.
Also, the gospel is even bigger than what you said. Any of us who try to shrink the gospel down to a phrase or thought our missing part of it. And so other aspects that people shared of the gospel can also be true. Atleast to a pomo Christian they would be. I don’t think we can box the truth like that.
When you look at who accepted Jesus it was mostly the poor and downtrodden. The rich and wealthy and successfull for the most part rejected Him. infact his message was so offensive many of them hated Him. Now you can say it was the culture and that He was claiming to be God and al that but when it comes down to it, its still His message. Thats all part of it.
I do, however, agree that many times Christians make the gospel more offensive than it is. We always need to be thoughtful of how we present the message of the messiah. So no disagreement there. Theres alot Christians add to the gospel. You must do this and this and this to come to God. Well we know that is BS and most people wouldn’t outright say that but thats how they opporate. Case in point homosexuality.
The Light of the gospel is indeed offensive to the darkness of sin…even to the point of dividing family members, church goers, Christian neophytes, etc.
You do hint at a problem in our post modern culture which is our delivery of the Good News. Most Christians are ill equipped to offer an “apoligia” and intelligent dialogue to the lost.
And this opens another “pandora box” of churches not equipping the Saints (Eph 4) to make disciples (Matt 28:20).
When the roots are not cared for, the fruit is uneatable.
You raise many questions in my mind, Jeremy.
First, what is the good news if there were no bad news?
What is meant by these texts?
Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
1 Peter 2:8 (the Gospel of Jesus) … a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Does this really sound as if folks naturally like Jesus but not the church – us?
Hi all!
Umm…I dont think i’ve communicated what I mean 🙂
What I dont mean is that the Jesus and his gospel doesn’t demand something from us. I don’t mean people naturally flock to Jesus, though I believe he is “attractive” and people want what Jesus has. I don’t mean that the gospel is narrowly defined simply by mark 1:15, but I do believe the entirety of Jesus message, ministry, and the Cross is summed up in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Sorry for the confusion, and I’ll post a followup post to clarify some. Also another post will probably extend these ideas, it’s called “The Gospel Is Demanding, We Aren’t”
THanks for the comments and questions raised!
peace
-jeremy
I didn’t think this was confusing at all! In my humble opinion you are mostly right: we are definitely the problem! It really gives me a lot of grief to think about this. Think about it as an ongoing cycle of people being bad representatives; even committing “small” offenses whilst running around in the name of God/Christ.
On a slightly (but not totally) related topic, I am curious what you think about the link below. (sorry it isnt just hot linked, i dont know how to make that happen in this comment space). Peace.
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/11/heresy_on_tour.html
Well? Being a witness for Christ is something I would like to do better, and I certainly look forward to the discussions that will hopefully spring from this post. I hope to see some practical tips as well.
Jeremy, I think I understand the meat of what you’re saying. I once watched a instructional video on “effective” street ministry, and it basically taught how to quickly deal with people’s objections to the gospel. The video’s main point was to teach people about the gravity of their sinfulness and how Jesus came to fix this. In other words, emphasize the bad news so that they can see how great “the good news” actually is.
The video’s second point was that people who reject you are actually rejecting your message. In other words, don’t take it personally and move on to someone else who is interested in listening.
This doesn’t sit easy with me, and I readily confess that it could be because I dislike confrontation and upsetting people (and mostly for selfish reasons). As a result, I do often wonder if there is a “better” way. People seem to have all sorts of opinions as to how Jesus ministered. I don’t know what to think anymore, to be honest.
Making the argument that God exists, or even that a good God exists, is not terribly offensive in my experience, but heads seem to roll the moment you mention Jesus. Saying Jesus is the Son of God is hard enough, but then to ad that He is the only way to God, and by extension to Heaven, is outrageously unnaceptable to most. It goes down hard like medicine, and everyone’s reaction is to spit out such narrow mindedness. This is, of course, not even mentioning how people react when you tell them they’re not righteous enough in God’s eyes without Jesus. But this is all part of “the gospel,” isn’t it? Don’t we have to mention these tid bits in order to present an honest and complete message?
As it stands, I am apologetic about the truth, as if I am ashamed. Maybe I am? Lord help me.
I think the problem here is that we need to define what we mean by offensive. Do we mean that the gospel “offends” modern culture by calling it outside of its norms and calling it to a new way of life.
Would you call that offensive? Sounds like Jeremy is saying, “It shouldn’t be offensive.” And I agree. But the truth that I have found is, the gospel is offensive to many within the church. They won’t act offended, but they will go to a church that keeps them comfortable.
Chris has a point how we communicate to unbelievers. I think there is a way to dialogue with an unrighteous person without offending his unrighteousness.
How does a person become a Christian? How does God impute His righteousness to this person? One becomes a Christian when the Holy Spirit of God applies the Word of God to that person’s heart. Hence, our delivery must be presented in much prayer and this person’s heart needs to be fertilized with the Holy Spirit’s seed of conviction, condemnation and repentence.
We take the message to the ear with grace and campassion and the Holy Spirit takes it to their heart to quicken it unto justification, sanctification, and glorification.
Chris, you bring up a good point about what we “mention” as we share Jesus good news. Too often, though, we begin with the Fall instead of with Creation; we begin with sin instead of how we were intended to be as beings in an eternal relationship with God defined by mutual love and being wholly related to others, ourselves and the world. Some of these ideas come from Scot McKnights book “Embracing Grace.” Part of this conversation about the unoffensiveness of the gospel is what we say and where we start and where we take people. So you’re very right Chris, what we include is really important…
And Barry, I like your points about how we communicate that good news. But to try and get people to “be Christians” just will not work these days. To sign-up to the Christian baseball team carries so much baggage that by and large it is this religious construct people reject in large ways. The message of Christianity is NOT what people need (which I know you know!), but the message of Jesus. For our postmodern, post-Christian culture we can not point people to Christianity; we need to point postmoderns and post-Christians to Jesus, which is my heart for this Advent season…
-jeremy
Never implied or inferred to “get people to be Christians.” Am not sure what you meant here. What is a “post-Christian?”
I do agree somewhat that “Christians” are the majority of the reason why Christianity leaves a bad taste on the pallets of postmodern tongues but I would dare to point out that our view of the Gospel and what it is has a lot to do with how we approach other people with it.
I believe that the Good News is that we are sinful and Christ died to justify us before the perfect, holy God in believing on Him. But, as to point out the good news there is bad news as well, as someone has already said here.
If I say to you that you, you postmodern, if it feels good then it’s right, self confident, king of your own world, that you suck and you’re not on the right path and this isn’t your world it’s going to offend you in some way or another. And I think we would all have to agree that in some sense this is exactly what we say whether we douse it with sugar or not.
The Gospel is very offensive on many different levels and throughout many different cultures. The very reason Jesus was sentenced to death was that He was thought to be a blasphemer and a threat to their way of life and even after He ascended into Heaven some few hundred years later the Roman empire began to persecute the Jesus Followers because they were seen as a threat. Christians are still being persecuted to this day and I think Jesus said something about this, didn’t he? If they hated me they’ll hate you, or something like that.
With this in mind it would be a better approach to just forget about being a people pleaser and speak the truth in love. The truth hurts sometimes and so does love but at the end of the day it’s not up to you to make a believer out of someone. Evangelism is sharing the Gospel and that’s it. God does the making. Maybe a day to day prayer drenched dedicated to Jesus walk is more of what is needed than trying to figure out how to sell the Gospel with whipped cream and a cherry. (and believe me, I’m talking to myself here as well)
It seems to me, at least in this post, that the root of this idea is some sort of inkling to an Open-Theistic perspective. This sort of thinking would lead us to believe that it’s our fault that people are becoming offended rather than becoming Christians and I would say that this is a very toxic vein of thought and we should examine ourselves and do best to find ourselves far from this destructive theology.
Not everyone is searching for “restoration and Life”only those who have been given to Him by the Father and He will bring them in. The call to the Church to make disciples is just that, make disciples, not believers.
Jason
I think in regards to your comment above:
“…So I continued, a bit hotter and sweatier: “What I mean is Jesus and his good news was not offensive. When you look at the Scriptures you see people flocking to him and wanting to be around him and touch him. The Jesus and his message doesn’t seem all that offensive to me…””
They were flocking to Jesus to be healed. Most were not interested in his message other than to find a way to crucify him, i.e. pharisees. For the Jews seek signs and wonders. I do believe that the gospel is offensive to those who don’t believe. I point you also to this article: cicministry.org/commentary/issue57.htm