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December 06, 2004
A Conversational Gospel
The King James Version of the Bible translates what we would call “deeds” or “lifestyle” with the word “conversation.” Today, we use the word conversation to denote a dialogue with a person, sometimes more than one person. Connotations could include our lifestyle, but the word doesn’t carry that meaning as much as it did 400 years ago.
Project 42, an endeavor by some friends of mine and I, exists to promote what I am terming a “conversational gospel.” What has become increasingly relevant in Christianity over the past few years, probably the last two decades, is not what we say about Jesus, it’s how we demonstrate Jesus. I don’t believe this is accidental.
For decades, especially in a politically engaged culture like America, Christianity has “talked big” but failed miserably to “live big.” It’s like a revisiting of the nation of Israel. And in some ways, this cycle is unpreventable—it will always exist, we’ll always refer to the past few generations of Christians and point to what mistakes they made.
But at the same time, Christians also must “live a life worthy of which we were called.” We must walk, not just talk. And in a very profound way (and in the words of Laura Ingraham), maybe we should just “shut up and sing.” In other words, give up on talking for a while and just live a kingdom life.
Of course, there’s a place for “talk,” and I’m not minimizing its importance. But it’s so obvious to the world where we stand, what we believe, and how we want the world to be (at least politically). Maybe if we just shut up, live our lives, Christianity will be more attractive. Maybe if we just shut up, love others like Jesus did, Christianity will draw others into the kingdom revolution. Maybe if we just shut up, take care of orphans and widows (didn’t Jesus’ brother say something like this?), unbelievers will realize our religion is good.
Another facet of the “conversational gospel” is that evangelism shouldn’t be like conquering a person’s soul. Perhaps it should be more like bringing people to “taste the wonders of God.” Maybe it should be more about introducing them to God’s story, showing them the adventure it is, and sharing it with them. (This surely would help us understand Hebrews 6:4-6 a bit more.)
Project 42 will, Lord willing, launch as a book introducing this concept of a conversational gospel. Of course, the idea isn’t new, it isn’t profound, and it isn’t mine. It’s Jesus’ kingdom. At the very least, it’s a reminder:
“love God, love your neighbor, the world will see it.”
Posted by doug at December 6, 2004 10:33 PM
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