Discussion 1

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Liberty University *

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Religion

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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With anything pertaining to Christianity, Jesus’ life is the ultimate example. The true gospel vs. social gospel is no different. Biblically speaking, the fact is, Jesus came to wipe out sin. John the Baptist declared it, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!.” (John 1:29 [New International Version]). Jesus didn’t come as a social or political reformer, He came as the Savior of mankind, to turn hearts to Himself and to God. Jesus’ ministry was inspired and catapulted through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is this fact of the spiritual mission Jesus came with that impacted social and political realms. Social gospel gets it mixed up thinking that through good works and social reform, one can earn salvation, or that’s what salvation is. When it is truly about hearts repenting and turning toward Christ, and in-turn, as hearts are transformed by the Holy Spirit, society can then begin to change because of the change of hearts. Jesus said Himself, “The poor will always be with you, and you can help them anytime you want. But you will not always have me.” (Mark 14:7 [NIV]). Jesus was clear on what was the bigger issue or more important topic. He was! Not the poor. Not the social injustice of His day. Not the radical, political overtaking by the Romans. He knew it was about the hearts of mankind, needing to recognize the need for a Savior and repentance. The video, “What is the Line Between the Gospel and Social Gospel?”, paints a wonderful picture of the issue with social gospel. That is, this horizontal relationship and over dependence on it. Social gospel is overly concerned with the temporal, the here and now and not on the eternal aspect. People in this belief get wrapped up in social injustice, politics, social reform, etc., but they lose sight of the bigger picture which is eternity either with or without God. If followers of this social gospel would invest as much time and energy in their vertical relationship with Christ as they do on a horizontal plane, they could see the social changes and impact they so desire, but it would come from the inside out. The “kicker” of this video is the remark that social gospel is “lacking transformative power.” The changes and impact sought out are fleeting. They do not have an eternal impact, but an earthly one. Just as the Bible tells us to store up our treasures in Heaven, where they cannot be destroyed. Social gospel is investing and storing up on the earth where moth and vermin destroy. The fact is, every person on Earth will spend much more of their existence on the side of eternity than on Earth. People are blessed to live past the age of 80 in their physical bodies. That is a mere fraction of eternity either with or away from God. In the video, “What is Non-Negotiable in the Gospel?”, it ties in the same horizontal vs. vertical relationship, only this time it is dealing with a personal relationship with God. We must recognize God as maker and our accountability to Him. At the same time, we must recognize our sin and separation from Him. Not only from him, on a vertical plane, but the destruction of the horizontal plane because of sin as well. Earthly relationships are destroyed and hindered because of the sin in the world. We see that in divorces, abusive relationships, the media, etc. Again, though, this isn’t nearly as important as the vertical relationship with God. The Gospel must be taught with this in mind. Along with the vertical relationship needed, it must be made clear that Jesus is the only answer. He said it Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father expect through me.” (John 14:6 [NIV]). It must be made known that without Christ, there is

eternal death. Scripture is clear that everyone must die once and be judged, then again. Those in Christ will be saved from the “second death.” This second death is the eternal separation from God. If nothing else is mentioned about the Gospel, it is the afore mentioned matters: God is maker and we are accountable to Him, Jesus is Savior and no one comes to the Father but through Him, recognize sin and need for a Savior and repent, if not, there is eternal separation apart from God. The final video, “A Church Profile Christ Community Church,” quickly shows the importance of incorporating a biblical/Christian worldview into our everyday lives. The Christian faith was never intended to be a secluded, personal, private faith. It is meant to be lived out in all areas of our lives, for all to see. James 2 tells us that, “faith, by itself, if it is not accompanies by action, is dead.” (James 2:17 [NIV]). People will a Christ-follower by their works and deeds. Not that our works and deeds saves us, by no means, but people will know we love Christ and live for Him by our actions. It will be an outward, public manifestation of our faith. Nancy Pearcey, in her book, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity , does an excellent job of showing how our modern society has created this dichotomy of our worldviews. 1 We want to take our faith and put it “upstairs” in this private room where it only comes out in the home or in church. And we live out a different worldview day-to-day in our work place and in public. This is completely opposite of what being a Christian is all about. Someone once said, “You may be the only Bible anyone ever sees.” Meaning, how we live our lives may be the only way someone may see the Gospel; by it being lived out every day, in public. Total Truth and the video profile of Christ Community Church, go together. The Church, the people who makeup the body Christ, are to outwardly live out our faith. Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Col. 3:23 [NIV]). 1 Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008).

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