What's the gospel in seven words?
The current Century editorial argues that, while it's unhelpful to insist that Occupy Wall Street produce a list of specific policy demands, it will be useful if the movement can eventually coalesce around a simple statement of general principle. The Tea Party has "Make government smaller!" What's the Occupy equivalent?
Slogan-length summations are crucial to any movement. "Jesus died for my sins" comes up an awful lot in popular Protestantism (mainline as well as evangelical). It's one thing to reject this as an inadequate summary of the gospel; it's quite another to improve on it with comparable pith.
Having seen this challenge come up in the blogosphere a few times, we thought we'd ask a bunch of theologians, pastors and others to take a crack at it. We asked them both to summarize the gospel in seven words and to expand on this in a few sentences. Starting this week, we'll run the responses as a blog series. To see all the responses together as they're posted, bookmark this page.
Got your own version? Feel free to add it as a comment to this post.
Comments
anirenicon replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words
God's final word, Jesus, unfolding in community.
Anne B replied on Permalink
Gospel in 7 or less words
Love one another as I love you.
It's easy to be confused by specific phrases, parables, or versions of the gospel. This phrase allows me to keep it simple. In this context, love is a verb which requires active participation on my part, not just the warm fuzzy feeling I get when my granddaughter does something cute. Although the concept is simple, it's not always easy to behave lovingly when I forget that God is the centre of my world.
VincentLawrence replied on Permalink
1in 6 Voters still believes Obama is Muslim
After Mr Obama's same sex marriage stunt last week, I am more conveced that Mr Obama is NOTChristian.
What Christian would throw the Sacrament of Marriage out the window for a few votes, and $15 + Million Dollars.
The Sacrament of Marriage was instituted by Christ, with its foundation in the Ten Commandments.
The gays and lesbiens are looking for any big name to give their aproval for their behavior, just so they can feel good about themselves.
RogerBarkley replied on Permalink
Interesting that someone
Interesting that someone else, myself included, could view Obama's stand as proof that he is Christian.
I don't say this to draw a "battle line" but to point-out that within the Body of Christ there is such a diversity of views among sincere, prayerful and biblically-literate people.
VincentLawrence replied on Permalink
The Gospel in seven words
FATHER, SON, LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION, HOLY, SPIRIT
jimcwalker replied on Permalink
7 words
I still like Will Campbell's 8 words. "We're all bastards but God loves us anyway."
Anonymous replied on Permalink
Wow, you see what you can do
Wow, you see what you can do with an extra word. I love it.
Doug Sloan replied on Permalink
GOSPEL IN SEVEN WORDS
God is unrestrained love and unconditional grace.
Philip Siew replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words
Can I add mine? "Love for loveless; hope hopeless; light darkness."
Carlene Byron replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words ...
I don't have a seven-word gospel, but I'm pretty confident that the reason Buddhism-lite is doing so well in the US is because it is presented with one goal (compassion) and ten expectations you can start today ... whereas we offer 66 books that we promise will take a lifetime to begin to understand. The old catechisms, virtues and vices had some value, I think.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
The gospel in seven words or less
The universe is made out of love.
revcraig replied on Permalink
Love
God is love. Be love yourself.
Rover 4760 replied on Permalink
The Gospel in seven words
God loves all people, unconditionally and eternally!
jfan314 replied on Permalink
the Gospel in seven words
Some ideas
"We become God's children in Christ"
if I had more words "Christ's death transfers us from darkness and alienation to sonship and light"
OR "in Christ alone our hope is found" (Keith and Kristin Getty)
OR "God's promised Son saves His sinful people"
OR for a Reformation cry "All He requires is faith in Christ"
OR "His obedience for our sinfulness. No joke."
I really like Ellen Charry's because the wall of hostility can be both horizontal and vertical. It is also biblical. In general, I find that it is easy for our definitions to be really individualistic, focusing on the law and grace distinction rather than on the work of Christ or the importance of the Church.
Andy Brock replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words
God embraced the fallen with Jesus Christ.
FionaMcP replied on Permalink
The Gospel in Seven Words
I am God and you are not.
MaxMBJ replied on Permalink
Gospel in 7 words
God died that man might live
Curt smith replied on Permalink
In Jesus, we are reconciled
In Jesus, we are reconciled to God
DavidC2 replied on Permalink
Gospel in 7 Words
Jesus died that we might live.
Houston replied on Permalink
gospel in 7 words and gospel in 3 words
7 word gospel:
realize repent receive Jesus as Lord Savior
Or a 3 word gospel (per Hank Hanegraaff):
1. realize
2. repent
3. receive
edvidal1215@gma... replied on Permalink
gospel in seven words
Your Creator wants to redeem you.
ST Triane replied on Permalink
Six Christ Holidays of the Lotus ( in seven words)
Birth, Verbal Teaching, Death, Ressurection, Pentacost, Ascension
Great idea Steve; like doing a haiku, it forces precision.
Most of the entries are demented gnosticism, a distortion of Christianity. Traansformation towards a perfect world, progress, etc,-- not that these have no importance, they simply aren't Christianity. For you "transformation" peope: read history, Aquinas, Voegelin, you won't want to displace Christiantiy with progressivism.
twbeosl replied on Permalink
What Jesus Said the Gospel Was...
The kingdom of God has drawn near.
RoedyGreen replied on Permalink
Summary
Judging from the 3300+ death threats I have received from Christians, I always assumed the core teaching of the religion was "hassle homosexuals". Along with abortion it is the key issue that defines Christian politics.
Danderson replied on Permalink
seven words
Broken humanity, redeemed by Christ, has hope.
or
Created, fallen and in need, redeemed, hope.
abm replied on Permalink
Gospel in One Word
Love!
Therev1 replied on Permalink
The gospel in 7 words...
God reaching down vs humans reaching up.
Rev. Ev replied on Permalink
Gospel in 7 words
God loves you, and I do too.
emcum replied on Permalink
Gospel in seven words
Come in from the rain
maia47 replied on Permalink
Gospel in Five Words
Unconditional love trumps unlovable condition.
pacpat replied on Permalink
Seven Words . . .
Love God. Love Others. It Matters.
Rob R replied on Permalink
Gospel in seven words
I had a teacher who said rabbis used to be challenged to give a summary of the law while standing on one foot. These summaries of the gospel thought-provoking. Thanks!
Here's my attempt:
Creation. Sin. Wrath. Love. Death. New Life.
Lemonholm replied on Permalink
God will make all things new.
God will make all things new.
bnesmith replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words
Be merciful. Be generous. Love one another.
katyandtheword replied on Permalink
Try to be as gracious as God or Hallows, not Horcruxes
Try to be as gracious as God Hallows, not Horcruxes
jhollingsworth replied on Permalink
The Gospel in 7 words
The Kingdom of God is among you
anirenicon replied on Permalink
What the Gospel ISN'T in 7 words
Tell us what the gospel ISN'T in seven words or less - http://anirenicon.com/2012/09/01/what-the-gospel-is-not-in-seven-words-or-less/
jadeyi replied on Permalink
The Gospel in Seven Words
We Are A Living Body of Christ!
What a honor to be part of God's divine body!
antipas4yashua replied on Permalink
The Gospel in seven words
Behave like a Christian if you profess.
Hollowmantransformed replied on Permalink
Gospel in seven words
SEVEN WORDS:
Christ-like character, Kingdom community, compassion for all.
The expression of the gospel message should reveal what it means to be a Christ- follower. On a personal level it's about character transformation; socially or communally it should help us live responsibly and creatively in an open, welcoming and sustainable community or environment; and missionally we should be partnering with God in loving and redeeming creation (the world) back into a new heaven on earth.
Hollowmantransformed replied on Permalink
The Gospel in Seven Words
Christ-like character, Kingdom community, compassion for all.
The expression of the gospel message I think for a Christ-follower on the personal level is to be like Christ; socially or communally it is to live together in an open, welcoming, creative, sustainable community or environment; and missionally, it is to partner with God to redeem the world back into heaven on earth.
nikrael replied on Permalink
that's 8 words, but who's
that's 8 words, but who's counting
Hollowmantransformed replied on Permalink
8 or 7?
I think "Christ-like" is just one word but you're right. Who's counting.
nikrael replied on Permalink
The gospel in seven words
The fatherhood of God, brotherhood of man.
teallfleming replied on Permalink
Gospel in seven words
Hell's gone, Everything is One With God
Sauntering Pilgrim replied on Permalink
The gospel in seven words
We are now all one.
No explanation. No added theology. Only a realization to contemplate and effect.
TBrayshaw replied on Permalink
7 words
Since the gospels never tell us why Jesus died, this is the best choice of words.
BrianK replied on Permalink
2 Timothy 2:8
I am excited to see Christians discussing this all-important topic!I think Apostle Paul summarized the gospel in the best way in 2 Timothy 2:8. This could be read in 7 words:
“Remember Jesus Christ, resurrected, descended from David.”
I think Christians in this generation (including myself) have lost sight of the part of the gospel that declares Jesus as “descended from David” or another place “according to Scriptures”. The fulfillment work on the cross is sorely needed these days.
Michael Wachter replied on Permalink
God's kingdom rests on loving all people
I am a member of the congregation at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Ohio. As part of this morning's sermon, our rector, Keith Owen, challenged us to convey the Gospel in a seven-word elevator speech. Several members of the congregation shared their interpretations with the rest of the community. How inspiring and enlightening to hear so many viewpoints on Christ's ministry!
David Boeckner replied on Permalink
Gospel in Seven Words
Love one another as God loves you.
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