Newbigin on Mission's false dichotomy...

I used this today in a lecture...
"When the message of the kingdom of God is separated from the name of Jesus two distortions follow, and these are in fact the source of deep divisions in the life of the church today. On one hand, there is the preaching of the name of Jesus simply as the one who brings a religious experience of personal salvation without involving one in costly actions at the points in public life where the power of Satan is contracting the rule of God and bringing men and women under the power of evil. Such preaching of cheap grace, of a supposed personal salvation that does not go the way of the cross, of an inward comfort without commitment to costly Action for the doing of God’s will in the world – this kind of evangelistic preaching is a distortion of the gospel. A preaching of personal salvation that does not lead the hearers to challenge the monstrous injustices of our society is not mission in Christ’s way. It is peddling cheap grace.

On the other hand, when the message of the kingdom is separated from the name of Jesus, the action of the church in respect of the evils in society becomes a mere ideological crusade"… pp9

Newbigin, L.(1988) Mission in Christ's Way: A Gift, a Command, an Assurance. Library of Christian Stewardship
Church as peddling cheap grace ... church as a mere ideological crusade ... no thanks.

Comments

Chris H said…
When are you gonna start recording these lectures for me!? :)

We recorded the meeting on Sunday using a cheap minidisc and microphone - worked pretty well.
12:17 AM
Gordon said…
sorry! :o( - I've my notes if you want them?

I have started the ball rolling in terms of college getting equipment so that we can digitally record stuff with ease!
9:45 AM
Rob said…
hey you'll be podcasting soon!

Loved the quote when I read it too.
11:08 PM
Gordon said…
hmmm podcasting!! I'm not sure the world is ready for a socialist inner city sally army officer going off on one just yet!! I need to learn not to show my whole hand all the time.... :o)
7:52 PM
Gordon said…
did I mention the chip on my shoulder!!
7:57 PM
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