"A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. As long as we think that the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquility, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith. A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace."
- Eugene Peterson
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A commenter friend at my solo blog relates the leaders at his church saying this to him about his concerns:
We respect where you're coming from with your focus on the gospel and the cross and all that, but our church is just in a different season right now.
The harvest season, no doubt. Where they'll be scythed up as tares and thrown in the furnace.
(Only slightly exaggerating.)
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Comments on "The Gospel and the Cross and All That":
3. Quaid
- 04/30/2009 8:23 am CDT
Shrode - I think that the Gospel should be preached, but I don't think one should do an altar call or anything. I think that God can use mourning in a very powerful way to draw people unto him. We have to be careful to let God draw and not be manipulative within the situation, but I think it would be a missed opportunity to not give, at least, the basics of the Gospel message.
4. jen
- 04/30/2009 8:30 am CDT
Shrode (and Quaid), your comment about preaching the gospel at funeral is timely. Our pastor just mentioned that in his last message, but more specifically about the resurrection. He noted that the resurrection doesn't get much play at funeral anymore and that he finds it a missed opportunity for giving the hope of the gospel in a time of grief, especially for those who believe in Christ.
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Wow.
This is probably related to the "How do you think post", but this post makes me think about preaching funerals.
Should the "gospel be preached" at funerals? If so, how? I've heard some say that's not the time and place for it? I've heard others just give a Billy Graham style sermon that seemed oblivious to the fact that people were grieving.