In other words Jesus was purposely confusing with his parabolic language because he came, not to establish his earthly kingdom right away, but to die on the cross for the sins of humanity. That's why I'm convinced that the gospels are best understood through the lenses of the epistles. That's also why I'm convinced many people avoid the gospels so they can insert their own meaning/kookiness/heresy as their own punchline to the parables of Jesus.
6. "I refuse to believe that a God of love would send people to hell."
Hell? Yes.
It is real.
Holy? Yes.
God hates sin.
That's why he lit the flames of hell to begin with.
Loving? Yes.
God is loving.
That's why he crushed his own Son so that we could be eternally redeemed from it's ferocity.
7. "The gospel of Jesus is not a set of propositions."
The word "gospel" means "good news." This news is communicated with words in the form of propositions. This news centers around a personal relationship with the God of the universe. More to follow...
Starting this Friday afternoon our latest Dare 2 Share Uncensored podcast will be posted on www.dare2share.org
I challenge you to watch these podcasts, stay tuned to the blog and watch the sparks fly! I also challenge you to engage the conversation. Understand that I'm starting the really busy part of my conference travel schedule this weekend. So I may just pull the pin on the grenade and leave the room, trusting my theologically alligned friends to respond, tort and retort.
Stay tuned...it should be a lot of fun!
This article was originally published on January 30, 2008.
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Greg Stier is the President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with youth leaders and students, equipping them to be effective in sharing the gospel. With experience as a senior teaching pastor and in youth ministry for almost 20 years, Greg has a reputation of knowing and relating to today's teens. He is widely viewed as an authority and expert teen spirituality. He is known for motivating, mobilizing and equipping teens for positive change. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries, and the SURVIVE 07/08 conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org.
