The other week I heard – yet again – how the Gospel is offensive. And – yet again – it got me thinking because it just doesn’t sound right to me. Here’s why.
“Gospel” means “good news.” Note the word good. How, then, have we managed to turn it into bad news: something offensive? I wonder if perhaps it is because the emphasis is in the wrong place.
A common argument to defend the “offensive” gospel is that people don’t like to be told that they are sinful. Or even that they are headed for hell. There’s this negative spin thrown in as we read into the message of Jesus words that he didn’t use, almost feeling proud that we can read between the lines of the Bible. Then, after all the negativity, there’s a plea to follow Jesus: because only he can pull us out of our dire situation.
Jesus’ message is one of hope. Yet it is so often told in such a way that the hope is greatly overshadowed with all this extra stuff that we somehow seem to feel is absolutely necessary. But we have to understand that Jesus’ message was also divided into two to some extent.
To those who thought they were pure – the Pharisees – Jesus did point out their issues and hypocrisy. But this was a select group who felt they were the “elite” of society, and Jesus says that this reward is all they will get.
But to the vast majority, Jesus’ message is simple. And the hope is phenomenal. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He repeatedly says how the “Kingdom of Heaven is near.” You don’t get a following of thousands by telling people they are bad! Jesus stirs up hope: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” “Blessed are those who mourn,” and so on. Jesus’ message really is good news because it is a message of hope to people who are oppressed. Whether it is society that gets you down, or politics, or your job; if you’re feeling harassed or inadequate, constantly being told, “You’re not good enough!”; whatever troubles you may be going through, Jesus says to turn to him for hope.
Yes, it involves a lifestyle change – instead of looking down at all our problems, we need to look upwards to God – and not everyone wants to change their lifestyle. But it doesn’t mean we have to constantly be told how “sinful” we are (we only need to hear that message if we’ve become like a Pharisee, thinking we’re perfect). I think it’s such a shame that many Christians have bought into this “offensive Gospel,” becoming the very oppressors that Jesus’ message of hope was against.
Jesus’ message really is one of hope. Just because it gets communicated in a bad way sometimes (even many times), I pray that people don’t stop searching.
“Gospel” means “good news.” Note the word good. How, then, have we managed to turn it into bad news: something offensive? I wonder if perhaps it is because the emphasis is in the wrong place.
A common argument to defend the “offensive” gospel is that people don’t like to be told that they are sinful. Or even that they are headed for hell. There’s this negative spin thrown in as we read into the message of Jesus words that he didn’t use, almost feeling proud that we can read between the lines of the Bible. Then, after all the negativity, there’s a plea to follow Jesus: because only he can pull us out of our dire situation.
Jesus’ message is one of hope. Yet it is so often told in such a way that the hope is greatly overshadowed with all this extra stuff that we somehow seem to feel is absolutely necessary. But we have to understand that Jesus’ message was also divided into two to some extent.
To those who thought they were pure – the Pharisees – Jesus did point out their issues and hypocrisy. But this was a select group who felt they were the “elite” of society, and Jesus says that this reward is all they will get.
But to the vast majority, Jesus’ message is simple. And the hope is phenomenal. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He repeatedly says how the “Kingdom of Heaven is near.” You don’t get a following of thousands by telling people they are bad! Jesus stirs up hope: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” “Blessed are those who mourn,” and so on. Jesus’ message really is good news because it is a message of hope to people who are oppressed. Whether it is society that gets you down, or politics, or your job; if you’re feeling harassed or inadequate, constantly being told, “You’re not good enough!”; whatever troubles you may be going through, Jesus says to turn to him for hope.
Yes, it involves a lifestyle change – instead of looking down at all our problems, we need to look upwards to God – and not everyone wants to change their lifestyle. But it doesn’t mean we have to constantly be told how “sinful” we are (we only need to hear that message if we’ve become like a Pharisee, thinking we’re perfect). I think it’s such a shame that many Christians have bought into this “offensive Gospel,” becoming the very oppressors that Jesus’ message of hope was against.
Jesus’ message really is one of hope. Just because it gets communicated in a bad way sometimes (even many times), I pray that people don’t stop searching.
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