Steve Argue on Salvation
This week I'm doing some work with Steve and it reminded me of this amazing presentation he made on the topics of salvation a year or so ago in Michigan. I had the priveledge to be with him when he presented it and to hear the interaction that followed. Let me know what you think of it.
REFLECTIONS ON SALVATION
OR
“LET’S GET OUR CHRIST ON. LET’S KICK IT, JESUS STYLE.”– Pastor Skip in “Saved”
Steve Argue January 2005
As you listen to my words, I would ask that you would create an image in your head of an infomercial. Picture a stud or babe-like looking spokesperson convincingly telling, showing, and demonstrating to you the necessity of their product and why you should buy it. Now, take that image and tweak it a bit… imagine, the same infomercial displaying all the wonderful benefits of the product but it is communicated by a spokesperson who is a 100 pound weakling looking like
everything but what the “product’ is destined to produce. The writer of this reflection is certainly a picture of this second image. Salvation, in my limited experience and estimation is the most glorious of concepts and I am the most pathetic of spokespersons. I would argue that any connection between this particular concept and this particular spokesperson is certainly absurd or strangely wonderful… or both. Some might even call it mysterious (Rom 16.25, Eph 3.6, 6.19). There are elements of mystery and awe that I hope always moves me beyond the intellectual and the strategic and continues to grip me personally. In this context of absurdity, mystery and awe, I offer some brief reflections…
Where to start
Salvation defined must start with our understanding of God’s person. This is nothing new to us, but I think it is an important reminder that salvation, whatever we determine it to be, comes from one who chooses to reveal Himself and his purposes to his creation. If we were to ask why God would do that, my best answer is; “I don’t know.” Maybe that’s why words like grace and mercy and love are so significant to the Christian. These are embedded in the mystery and
awe of the Creator revealing himself to his creation simply because he chooses to and we are dull, un-anticipating, non-seeking recipients who are awakened to God and his purposes completely and only through God’s efforts.
The real mystery I propose that this is the true mystery of the Gospel. It is the mystery of God breaking in where God is not wanted or at least not known. This breaking in might be seen in grand pictures of revivals or underground churches, but I see it even more person by person. The breaking in is witnessed in the lives of everyday people and even in this one very
pathetic infomercial spokesperson. The fruit of this breaking in is varied. God breaks in when one becomes aware of their depravity; God breaks in when a cup of cold water is given to the least of these; God breaks in when relationships are restored, when compassion is extended, when addiction is broken. The mess we get in is when we try to measure break ins or evaluate their legitimacy. We are tempted to talk about numbers saved or seek out the sexiest testimony
because they bring the most attention or they sound best in prayer letters. When we try to quantify mystery, salvation and the gospel we begin to sound like an infomercial, creatively packaged in a 3-minute “testimony.” The essential gospel
If we are able to embrace the mystery of God’s working in people’s lives and are comfortable with holding loosely what “salvation” looks like, even celebrating different expressions of it, I think we can be more comfortable with saying what the Gospel is. For though the fruit of the Gospel is multifaceted, the central message of the Gospel is evident. The Gospel cannot be the gospel without recognizing God as creator, people as rebels, God as pursuer, Christ’s
incarnation, death, and resurrection, the Spirit’s ongoing presence, and a call to return to God and his community. The creeds and confessions give us the pathway for the essentials of a believing community and these, to me, are more than intellectual ascents, but are central to a revealed worldview that one embraces. They reinforce the elemental or essential teachings that one embraces as Christian (Heb 6). Christian leaders shepherd people in responding to Jesus greatest command…. ‘Follow me.” Our task calls us to be theologians above managers, rock stars, activity coordinators, best buddies or leaders. Therefore, I offer the following considerations and implications…
REFLECTIONS ON SALVATION
OR
“LET’S GET OUR CHRIST ON. LET’S KICK IT, JESUS STYLE.”– Pastor Skip in “Saved”
Steve Argue January 2005
As you listen to my words, I would ask that you would create an image in your head of an infomercial. Picture a stud or babe-like looking spokesperson convincingly telling, showing, and demonstrating to you the necessity of their product and why you should buy it. Now, take that image and tweak it a bit… imagine, the same infomercial displaying all the wonderful benefits of the product but it is communicated by a spokesperson who is a 100 pound weakling looking like
everything but what the “product’ is destined to produce. The writer of this reflection is certainly a picture of this second image. Salvation, in my limited experience and estimation is the most glorious of concepts and I am the most pathetic of spokespersons. I would argue that any connection between this particular concept and this particular spokesperson is certainly absurd or strangely wonderful… or both. Some might even call it mysterious (Rom 16.25, Eph 3.6, 6.19). There are elements of mystery and awe that I hope always moves me beyond the intellectual and the strategic and continues to grip me personally. In this context of absurdity, mystery and awe, I offer some brief reflections…
Where to start
Salvation defined must start with our understanding of God’s person. This is nothing new to us, but I think it is an important reminder that salvation, whatever we determine it to be, comes from one who chooses to reveal Himself and his purposes to his creation. If we were to ask why God would do that, my best answer is; “I don’t know.” Maybe that’s why words like grace and mercy and love are so significant to the Christian. These are embedded in the mystery and
awe of the Creator revealing himself to his creation simply because he chooses to and we are dull, un-anticipating, non-seeking recipients who are awakened to God and his purposes completely and only through God’s efforts.
The real mystery I propose that this is the true mystery of the Gospel. It is the mystery of God breaking in where God is not wanted or at least not known. This breaking in might be seen in grand pictures of revivals or underground churches, but I see it even more person by person. The breaking in is witnessed in the lives of everyday people and even in this one very
pathetic infomercial spokesperson. The fruit of this breaking in is varied. God breaks in when one becomes aware of their depravity; God breaks in when a cup of cold water is given to the least of these; God breaks in when relationships are restored, when compassion is extended, when addiction is broken. The mess we get in is when we try to measure break ins or evaluate their legitimacy. We are tempted to talk about numbers saved or seek out the sexiest testimony
because they bring the most attention or they sound best in prayer letters. When we try to quantify mystery, salvation and the gospel we begin to sound like an infomercial, creatively packaged in a 3-minute “testimony.” The essential gospel
If we are able to embrace the mystery of God’s working in people’s lives and are comfortable with holding loosely what “salvation” looks like, even celebrating different expressions of it, I think we can be more comfortable with saying what the Gospel is. For though the fruit of the Gospel is multifaceted, the central message of the Gospel is evident. The Gospel cannot be the gospel without recognizing God as creator, people as rebels, God as pursuer, Christ’s
incarnation, death, and resurrection, the Spirit’s ongoing presence, and a call to return to God and his community. The creeds and confessions give us the pathway for the essentials of a believing community and these, to me, are more than intellectual ascents, but are central to a revealed worldview that one embraces. They reinforce the elemental or essential teachings that one embraces as Christian (Heb 6). Christian leaders shepherd people in responding to Jesus greatest command…. ‘Follow me.” Our task calls us to be theologians above managers, rock stars, activity coordinators, best buddies or leaders. Therefore, I offer the following considerations and implications…
posted by mark at
7:41 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home