Check out the original post here -http://www.jesustheradicalpastor.com/the-american-sound-bite-gospel
I am stunned that some Christians still defend a sound bite gospel. You know, the 4 steps, the “bridge over troubled waters” packaged presentation. The wondrous, thunderous, mind-boggling, heart-stopping gospel of the Bible and of Jesus himself is horribly reduced to bumper sticker phrases.
With what other literature or great story do we do this? None to my knowledge. Imagine the classic story (and movie) of Ben Hur reduced to…
- Ben Hur accidently killed a Roman soldier.
- Ben Hur was a galley-slave.
- Ben Hur drove in a big chariot race and won.
- Ben Hur met Jesus at the Cross when his mother and sister were healed.
Wow. I really know the story now. Do YOU believe in Ben Hur?
How about Anne of Green Gables?
- Anne Shirley meets Marilla and Matthew.
- Anne doesn’t like her freckles.
- Anne doesn’t like the Pye children.
- Anne becomes a teacher and serves blind Marilla.
Doesn’t that story just rock? Do YOU believe in Anne of Green Gables?
Or, even Pilgrim’s Progress.
- Pilgrim goes on a journey.
- Pilgrim carries a sack of sin.
- Pilgrim meets a lot of interesting people.
- Pilgrim makes it and his pack falls off.
Wow! Pilgrim gets saved! Do YOU believe in Pilgrim?
You say, “John, this is so silly.” I agree. But the question remains: Why do we do this with ” the greatest story ever told” and act like we’re doing something noble, even holy? It actually is stupifying. The sweeping, rumbling Bible saga and the Spirit-energized, Jesus-intense Gospels get miniaturized to…
- God loves you.
- You are a sinner.
- Jesus died for you.
- Believe in Jesus now.
Wow. Do YOU believe in Jesus? If so, you get to go to heaven when you die.
A bumper sticker gospel creates sound bite believers who parrot things rather than live into the sweeping Story of God’s amazing, amazing grace.
Filed under: jesus, missional practice
Great post! Kind of puts a certain type of evangelism into a proper perspective. I especially appreciate the Pilgrim’s Progress Cliff-notes summary…
Tim, Thanks for the link.
I am so thrilled that Tuscan’s surgery went well. What a merciful gift from the Father. I am sure you and Jay are awed by the wonders of medical science. Tuscan is a cutie! I can’t tell if he looks more like you or Jay
Praising the Lord with you!
John
Hi Tim. My name’s bob simpson. I’ve just happened to read your piece on communicating the gospel in sound bites. Sound bites are often meant to mislead or even deceive, aren’t they? Trying to create a bible for dummies must be almost profane. But what was Jesus’ simple compelling message? In the first couple of years we’re told he simply preached the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven. It must have life changing. But what was that simple message that captured so many hearts and minds?
Hi Bob, I think we can safely say that the simple message was more than a sound bite. That’s why I liked John Frye’s original post so much. So often Christians seem to have a desire to simplify and package God, but it just can’t be done.