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Reunion: The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, and Sinners
Join Bruxy Cavey, bestselling author and teaching pastor at The Meeting House, in the pages of a dynamic investigation of the most earth-shattering, piety-smashing, life-changing news ever. Dig into Scripture with Bruxy as he unfolds God’s message for the world in one word, three words, and thirty words. Learn why you shouldn’t follow the Bible (but why you’ll want to read it to learn how to follow Jesus). Scout out the real definitions of sin and salvation, which might surprise you. Discover your true citizenship in the Jesus nation, where you might be ready to die for a cause but never willing to kill for one. Glimpse a God who is Love itself and who, like it or not, just can’t stop thinking about you. If you’ve heard about Jesus so often that he makes you yawn, give him one more chance. If you think the gospel has something to do with religious rules or rituals, think again. Whether you are a restless seeker, struggling sinner, or sanctimonious saint, get ready for a with your true self, with others, and with the God who longs to welcome you home. One of Missio Alliance’s Top 15 Essential Reads of 2017.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2017
76 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 5, 2017
I wasn't sure what to make of Bruxy Cavey's new book (re)union, the Good News of Jesus, for Seekers, Saints and Sinners. I was very sceptical, starting from his explanation of why he has a tattoo. I mean who is this guy? Does he even know what he's talking about?
Yes, yes he does.
He encourages readers to mark up his book. So I did. I underlined I made notes. Sometimes I used exclamation points when I felt he missed the mark. But for the most part, he was spot on about what it means to follow Jesus and what that looks like. Hint - it doesn't include religion.
Was Jesus only rebuking the Jewish leaders of his day when he preached? Or is the message and mission of Jesus a universal rebuke to all religions? As Cavey states, "It seems the message of Jesus changed the world until the world changed the message."
Cavey attempts to present the Gospel message in one word, three words, and thirty words, dividing the book into those categories. He makes the point that "religious" people stick to the Bible above all else and so they become like the religious leaders of Jesus' day, whom Jesus chastised. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life (John 5:39-40)." They read the Bible and believe everything it says, but if they don't read it with Jesus as the centre of it, they miss the point. "Jesus should become the lens through which we see the real meaning of all Scripture." He has a point. Many Christians today seem to zero in on a particular scripture and make it their mantra in life when it has nothing to do with Jesus at all. Who are you following? The Bible? Or Jesus? If Jesus is the Word, then follow Him. Cavey makes that point throughout this book.
It is all about getting to know God and the only way to do that, according to Cavey, is through Jesus who is "God's ultimate explanation of himself." He adds, "What do we see when we look at Jesus? A God who has infinite compassion on sinners and outcasts. A God who rages against religion. A God who calls us his friends."
While much of the book is sound, there were a few things I disagreed with theologically. While he is quick to point out that "religious" people pick and choose their Scriptures to justify their actions, he does the same thing. He tends to ignore the Scriptures that describe hell or the torment that is to come for those who reject Christ as it doesn't "fit" with his concept of a loving and just God. He talks like a universalist with just enough truth to make it seem like he's right. So one must read this book with caution.
Despite that, he is a man who obviously loves his Lord and he presents a thorough examination of what the gospel is all about - Jesus. Just Jesus. It's about His kingdom beginning with us and in us through His Holy Spirit. This book is for seekers and sinners and especially saints who have lost their way in religion and want to find Jesus again.
Yes, yes he does.
He encourages readers to mark up his book. So I did. I underlined I made notes. Sometimes I used exclamation points when I felt he missed the mark. But for the most part, he was spot on about what it means to follow Jesus and what that looks like. Hint - it doesn't include religion.
Was Jesus only rebuking the Jewish leaders of his day when he preached? Or is the message and mission of Jesus a universal rebuke to all religions? As Cavey states, "It seems the message of Jesus changed the world until the world changed the message."
Cavey attempts to present the Gospel message in one word, three words, and thirty words, dividing the book into those categories. He makes the point that "religious" people stick to the Bible above all else and so they become like the religious leaders of Jesus' day, whom Jesus chastised. "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life (John 5:39-40)." They read the Bible and believe everything it says, but if they don't read it with Jesus as the centre of it, they miss the point. "Jesus should become the lens through which we see the real meaning of all Scripture." He has a point. Many Christians today seem to zero in on a particular scripture and make it their mantra in life when it has nothing to do with Jesus at all. Who are you following? The Bible? Or Jesus? If Jesus is the Word, then follow Him. Cavey makes that point throughout this book.
It is all about getting to know God and the only way to do that, according to Cavey, is through Jesus who is "God's ultimate explanation of himself." He adds, "What do we see when we look at Jesus? A God who has infinite compassion on sinners and outcasts. A God who rages against religion. A God who calls us his friends."
While much of the book is sound, there were a few things I disagreed with theologically. While he is quick to point out that "religious" people pick and choose their Scriptures to justify their actions, he does the same thing. He tends to ignore the Scriptures that describe hell or the torment that is to come for those who reject Christ as it doesn't "fit" with his concept of a loving and just God. He talks like a universalist with just enough truth to make it seem like he's right. So one must read this book with caution.
Despite that, he is a man who obviously loves his Lord and he presents a thorough examination of what the gospel is all about - Jesus. Just Jesus. It's about His kingdom beginning with us and in us through His Holy Spirit. This book is for seekers and sinners and especially saints who have lost their way in religion and want to find Jesus again.
August 31, 2017
I have been searching for a book like this for a while now. This may have been the clearest, and most well laid out, explanation of the gospel that I have heard in years. It is incredibly accessible, and therefore could be put in the hands of almost anyone exploring faith in Jesus.
August 28, 2020
Great book, highly recommended. I read it over several weeks in a large zoom study group run by Bruxy. Thankful for the book, and his leading of the conversations. Several chapters (actually parts of all chapters) really spoke to me. I plan to re-read this book again...while the weekly study sessions are great to dig deeper into the topics, I prefer to have the continual flow of reading a book in a more condensed timeframe; for me, it helps everything soak in more.
March 11, 2021
I have listened to many of Bruxy Cavey’s sermons via The Meeting House YouTube channel and wanted to see if his writing style conveyed the same message. In a time when Christians are coming out as deconstructing and wanted to see if Cavey’s message was different yet Biblical.
Cavey does a great job of simplifying churchy terms like his conversation with a Spanish speaking neighbor on how to simplify “incarnation.” He also does a great job of explaining the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus. Yet, Cavey also explains that while we can simplify the terms involved, we don’t want to oversimplify being a Christ-follower to a series of steps--then we are practicing religion again. He cautions against following the Bible because it is easy to use the stories to justify anything. However, if we are following Jesus we can’t be “anything short of active, other-centered, nonviolent, enemy-embracing” (p42). We read the Bible to learn who Jesus is and how to follow Him. Another great illustration Cavey uses is getting to know “Grace” (p73), but that’s all I’m going to say here.
Honestly, Bruxy Cavey breaks things down in a way that curious “Seekers” can understand, “Saints” who have been Christians for a while but have questions, and even critical “Sinners” might find something helpful (especially if they are a critical sinner due to traditional, evangelical, fundamental church thinking). This is a great book and I have highlighted many passages in my kindle version to refer to for the future.
Cavey does a great job of simplifying churchy terms like his conversation with a Spanish speaking neighbor on how to simplify “incarnation.” He also does a great job of explaining the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus. Yet, Cavey also explains that while we can simplify the terms involved, we don’t want to oversimplify being a Christ-follower to a series of steps--then we are practicing religion again. He cautions against following the Bible because it is easy to use the stories to justify anything. However, if we are following Jesus we can’t be “anything short of active, other-centered, nonviolent, enemy-embracing” (p42). We read the Bible to learn who Jesus is and how to follow Him. Another great illustration Cavey uses is getting to know “Grace” (p73), but that’s all I’m going to say here.
Honestly, Bruxy Cavey breaks things down in a way that curious “Seekers” can understand, “Saints” who have been Christians for a while but have questions, and even critical “Sinners” might find something helpful (especially if they are a critical sinner due to traditional, evangelical, fundamental church thinking). This is a great book and I have highlighted many passages in my kindle version to refer to for the future.
May 10, 2017
I am totally intrigued by this book. Bruxy Cavey makes a case for following Jesus in what some might think is a radical way. He really has me thinking and assessing how I have been walking this faith journey. I love being challenged and this book definitely does that.
Am I a religious person? Or person of faith? Have to admit I've spent most of my life thinking they were one in the same but after reading (Re)union I'm beginning to see they are not.
Cavey has an easy-going writing style -- even humorous at times -- and reading this book felt like he was right there with me and we were having a one-on-one discussion. I even answered out loud a time or two! We're talking relationships -- with God, with each other, with the greater community and how Jesus is the key to making sense of it all. A tranaforming message that encourages readers to actively participate in their faith by simply following Jesus.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by Herald Press and Graf-Martin Communications
Am I a religious person? Or person of faith? Have to admit I've spent most of my life thinking they were one in the same but after reading (Re)union I'm beginning to see they are not.
Cavey has an easy-going writing style -- even humorous at times -- and reading this book felt like he was right there with me and we were having a one-on-one discussion. I even answered out loud a time or two! We're talking relationships -- with God, with each other, with the greater community and how Jesus is the key to making sense of it all. A tranaforming message that encourages readers to actively participate in their faith by simply following Jesus.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by Herald Press and Graf-Martin Communications
February 27, 2018
Bruxy has written an accessible, witty and deeply theological account of what the gospel truly is. In most ways this book is excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone. It loses one star for me because of his obsession with Religion. Granted, he takes time to explain that while some may have a healthy definition of religion, he is meaning it in the sense of its abuse, this explanation comes after half a dozen chapters of bashing the word and seems at first blush to be an appeasment to readers like me. I can see why he did this. Many, if not most, share his negative definition of the word. Yet to work the answer to this misunderstanding into your very definition of the gospel itself seems to me to be taking things too far. Religion even as defined by a secular source (dictionary.com) is the worship of a deity. I would say there's nothing wrong with that. Religion as ritual, or religion to earn favor is wrong, but that knowledge is not the centre of the gospel.
May 16, 2021
I love Bruxy Cavey, probably inordinately much, but I found this book slightly underwhelming. It had some great analogies and one-liners, but overall it came off as a mashup of mainstream Evangelicalism of the last several decades, Anabaptism, and Progressive Christianity. Of course it is no bad thing to have an appreciation for all the different strands of the faith--that's not what I'm saying. And Bruxy makes a convincing point about how following Jesus needs to be dynamic and not an oppressive religious system since Jesus, of all the things he was and was not about, seemed most concerned about demolishing oppressive religious systems.
So what am I saying? Maybe I'm just saying that although I resonate thoroughly with Bruxy's understanding of what it means to follow Jesus (perhaps more than that of any other contemporary teacher), I prefer hearing his gentle, witty, congenial sermons over his books.
So what am I saying? Maybe I'm just saying that although I resonate thoroughly with Bruxy's understanding of what it means to follow Jesus (perhaps more than that of any other contemporary teacher), I prefer hearing his gentle, witty, congenial sermons over his books.
May 23, 2017
I finished Brad Jersak's "A More Christlike God" not too long ago, so was intrigued to compare the work of these two Canadian theologians, when the content was fairly similar. In short, they are great companion reads! Jersak's work was more academically exacting, while Cavey's was probably more approachable. Both hearken back, to an extent, to red-letter forerunners like Campolo and McLaren. I liked the take on Biblical inerrancy, that we have it in the person of Jesus, and Cavey's summaries: the gospel in one word, three words, and 30 words. In short, while (re)union is a comparatively simple read, it is also profound.
An advanced digital copy was provided courtesy of Menno Media & Graf-Martin Communications; thanks!
An advanced digital copy was provided courtesy of Menno Media & Graf-Martin Communications; thanks!
March 15, 2018
Reunion is a book about the message of Jesus written from a nonreligious perspective and for an audience that is skeptical of church and faith. Author Bruxy Cavey is the pastor of an inclusive church in Canada called The Meeting Place (or, "A church for people who don't like church").
For those who need an introduction (or refresher) to Kingdom theology, nonviolence, and the futility of religion, Reunion is a wonderful primer. Cavey is relational, funny, and very thorough. While a big chunk of the book will be very familiar to those who were born and raised in the church, his chapters on the meaning behind the "kingdom of heaven" and Jesus's subversive anti-religious message are well worth the price of admission.
For those who need an introduction (or refresher) to Kingdom theology, nonviolence, and the futility of religion, Reunion is a wonderful primer. Cavey is relational, funny, and very thorough. While a big chunk of the book will be very familiar to those who were born and raised in the church, his chapters on the meaning behind the "kingdom of heaven" and Jesus's subversive anti-religious message are well worth the price of admission.
March 19, 2019
I’ve struggled with how best to share the gospel. And I discovered that others feel the same. I had tracked with Bruxy’s sermons for years so I knew about this book when my (not Anabaptist) small group asked me if we could see the gospel message modeled — voila! — I recommended we use this book and study guide. We are still doing the study, and I am seeing the roadblocks slip away as they share what they are learning with people in their lives. Perhaps the biggest breakthrough in our group was one person getting past the “But I’m an introvert!” to a statement that as a child of God, which is the most important thing in my life, how can I not talk about it? The second roadblock being overcome is a lack of ability and/or confidence to articulate the gospel well.
It works!
It works!
December 10, 2022
I began reading this before the author's affair became known and decided to continue reading it but with different lenses. I assume his words about sin and redemption were written before going down the path of sin himself, but how could he have strayed so far after preaching and authoring a book about it? How genuine was his ministry? Or did Satan find a way to reach into the life of a man who was so publicly successful in reaching people for Christ?
I found the content of this book to be helpful, explaining well the good news of God's love. Too bad it is tainted by later discoveries in the life of the author.
I found the content of this book to be helpful, explaining well the good news of God's love. Too bad it is tainted by later discoveries in the life of the author.
April 2, 2021
What a beautiful presentation of the Gospel message.
Bruxy presents the Good News in one word: "Jesus"
Then, in three words: "Jesus is Lord."
Finally, in thirty words: "Jesus is God with us, come to show us God's love, save us from sin, set up God's kingdom, and shut down religion, so we can share in God's life."
Intended for a broad audience, it is very accessible, filled with gems of thought-provoking material. I would highly recommend this book as a gift for a new believer, or a nonbeliever, or anyone for that matter. You should read it.
Bruxy presents the Good News in one word: "Jesus"
Then, in three words: "Jesus is Lord."
Finally, in thirty words: "Jesus is God with us, come to show us God's love, save us from sin, set up God's kingdom, and shut down religion, so we can share in God's life."
Intended for a broad audience, it is very accessible, filled with gems of thought-provoking material. I would highly recommend this book as a gift for a new believer, or a nonbeliever, or anyone for that matter. You should read it.
January 4, 2020
I went on a bit of a journey this year, including attending The Meeting Place for a few months on a regular basis. I am sad to report that I ended up where I started. Bruxy's sermons were always my favourite and there is so much I appreciate about his perspective and his tone and cadence. But ultimately, there are a few ideals I couldn't come to terms with. This book seemed great on the surface in a lot of ways, but there was that undercurrent I still struggle with.
July 22, 2020
This a great primer for anyone looking to understand the true meaning of the gospel. Cavey does a great job of balancing truth, humor, and love in a way that makes the way of Jesus easy to grasp and understand. I would highly recommend this book to anyone just starting out in their pursuit of Jesus. While not comprehensive source for Christian living and theology by any standard, (re)Union is a great place to start
August 31, 2017
There's a lot of really good stuff in here. Bruxy is always good at communicating points in understandable ways and giving sound advice for what to do with what he just explained. Though most of it was things learned in church (the meeting house or elsewhere) it's always good to be reminded of what good news the good news is by someone so excited to be a newsboy!
November 27, 2017
This is a great book that presents a fresh look at the good news of Jesus. The first half is particularly inspiring and refreshing. He presents the good news in one, word, three words, then 30 words. I had to work to finish it, so drags a bit near the end. Still, highly recommend it.
August 28, 2018
Grabbed this one from work (perks of working for a Christian media company where publishers send us all the things!) because a friend was reading it, and found it such a solid and comprehensive look at Christian faith and life as a believer. It was more a refresher for me than anything, but a really thorough and encouraging one that will absolutely be a recommendation i share freely with newer believers! Loved @bruxybaby’s voice— honest, down to earth, gracious and loving, friendly, fresh. Nothing here is condemning or critical or crazy (as Christians and the church can often be...), but it instead made me fall in love with Jesus and Christianity all over again and remember why I first chose this wild and beautiful life of faith in the first place.
December 5, 2018
A great guide book for sinners, saints & seekers to the freedom found in the good news! The gospel in one word, three words & 30 words clarifies the calling/point of the good news. It’s all about Jesus! Highly recommend!
March 25, 2019
This is such an awesome read. He explains why there is a difference between "religion" and "following Jesus". For anyone that is skeptical of what I have called "organized religion" but would like to live a life in Christ, this book offers hope of a different way.
October 8, 2021
Excellent
Fairly concise gospel message that clears away the religious fog. Bruxy's humility comes thru in the stories he tells about his own journey, and his love for the reader is papble throughout.
Fairly concise gospel message that clears away the religious fog. Bruxy's humility comes thru in the stories he tells about his own journey, and his love for the reader is papble throughout.
December 30, 2017
Great book
This book explains the life in Christ very understandably. Well written and easily to grasp. Helps make Grace real, and I recommend the book highly.
This book explains the life in Christ very understandably. Well written and easily to grasp. Helps make Grace real, and I recommend the book highly.
December 29, 2018
Great book
Bruxy is a fantastic communicator and does another great job on this book communicating the love of Jesus. I'd recommend it to anyone, Christian or not!
Bruxy is a fantastic communicator and does another great job on this book communicating the love of Jesus. I'd recommend it to anyone, Christian or not!
May 18, 2020
Bruxy Cavey has a gift at taking complex theological teachings and simplifying them. Loved the book
Read
December 29, 2020I didn't really read this. I skimmed it, and was glad to not finish it. Another someone who has it all together and has all the answers. Cute. Been there. Done with that.
January 12, 2021
This book brought me back to the root of who we are supposed to be and why.
May 14, 2017
I loved this book. Cavey explained what the Bible and real Christianity is all about in a way that makes sense and yet challenged what I believed. At times he said things that shocked me like how as Christians, we don't need to follow the ten commandments anymore, but as I continued reading and how he brought it all back to Jesus, it made sense. He addresses some concerns he knows people will have with what he says and explains why he believes the way he does. I may need to read this book a few times for everything to sink in fully, but it is not theological in the sense that many apologists and theologians make it out to be. It is written for the ordinary person and you don't need a degree in theology to understand it. I recommend this book to anyone, as Cavey says, is a seeker, a saint, or a sinner.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Menno Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
"Book has been provided courtesy of Menno Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
March 18, 2019
Full disclosure - I've been attending The Meeting House for about eight years now, so I'm pretty familiar with Bruxy's teaching. Obviously there's something about his teaching style and perspectives that I appreciate, or I wouldn't have stuck around his church for so long (of course, the community is the real linchpin, but the whole package works for me). This book just helped to reinforce all the great things I've been learning these past many years, and to articulate some of the things I appreciate most about the way my church communicates and shares the gospel.
October 19, 2020
This is the best go-to book for skeptics, new believers, or old believers getting back to the roots. In the same vein of Mere Christianity, Brux gives a beautiful telling of the basics of Christianity and the heart of Jesus.
May 5, 2017
First off, I love the versatility of this book and if my thoughts are somewhat disjointed I apologize sometimes information takes more time to come out fluently than time allows :)
(Re)Union at it's heart has a simple message, easily condensed into 30 words or less and yet has the ability to touch hearts and shift the worlds of its readers be they "seekers, saints, and sinners."This is because Cavey presents not just a book about the church, or evangelism, or religion instead he presents a book about Jesus and how everything about faith points back to God in all his wholeness not just aspects and facets.
I was struck by the versatility with which Cavey opens up his message. Filled with easily relatable cultural references alongside solid Biblical and theological understanding, Cavey doesn't insult his readers intelligence but simply introduces them to Jesus in ever increasing measures (for example the one, three, and thirty words sections exploring the good news). This result in a book that is truly reader friendly in layout and material (although application and reception may be harder), and is easily accessible to anyone willing to take a look, which,in my option, is how the gospel should be given.
For some more conservative or traditional evangelicals, the message of( Re)Union may come across as shocking. Though acknowledging many traditional ways of presenting the gospel (Romans Road, 4 laws) he also acknowledges the sense of incompleteness the bring to the gospel and the need to broaden the picture. For some, it may be difficult to adjust to this new presentation of a Jesus-centered gospel rather than an Easter-centered one. For those who are patient enough to get through any reservations they will find Cavey presents a well-thought out and obviously well researched message of hope and maybe even healing.
Bruxy Cavey is a talented writer who presents engaging stories, a sincere heart for people and faith, and a solid gospel message that it accessible to all. I cannot wait to see how the study version unfolds during it's release next year.
5 out of 5 stars
"An Advanced Reader Copy was provided courtesy of Menno Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
(Re)Union at it's heart has a simple message, easily condensed into 30 words or less and yet has the ability to touch hearts and shift the worlds of its readers be they "seekers, saints, and sinners."This is because Cavey presents not just a book about the church, or evangelism, or religion instead he presents a book about Jesus and how everything about faith points back to God in all his wholeness not just aspects and facets.
I was struck by the versatility with which Cavey opens up his message. Filled with easily relatable cultural references alongside solid Biblical and theological understanding, Cavey doesn't insult his readers intelligence but simply introduces them to Jesus in ever increasing measures (for example the one, three, and thirty words sections exploring the good news). This result in a book that is truly reader friendly in layout and material (although application and reception may be harder), and is easily accessible to anyone willing to take a look, which,in my option, is how the gospel should be given.
For some more conservative or traditional evangelicals, the message of( Re)Union may come across as shocking. Though acknowledging many traditional ways of presenting the gospel (Romans Road, 4 laws) he also acknowledges the sense of incompleteness the bring to the gospel and the need to broaden the picture. For some, it may be difficult to adjust to this new presentation of a Jesus-centered gospel rather than an Easter-centered one. For those who are patient enough to get through any reservations they will find Cavey presents a well-thought out and obviously well researched message of hope and maybe even healing.
Bruxy Cavey is a talented writer who presents engaging stories, a sincere heart for people and faith, and a solid gospel message that it accessible to all. I cannot wait to see how the study version unfolds during it's release next year.
5 out of 5 stars
"An Advanced Reader Copy was provided courtesy of Menno Media and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
Read
February 12, 2020Reunion is an excellent overview of what the message of Jesus is--the Gospel. Bruxy outlines where some traditional overviews of the gospel have fallen short. For example, the Four Spiritual Laws (or others) that simply focus on our sin(s) and Jesus death which lead us to thinking about how WE get to God--rather than the other way around.
The first half of the book outlines the "good news" as actually GOOD news--rooted in God's love. And that the gospel is like the game Othello: "a minute to learn, a lifetime to master," Christians don't need to "learn the gospel" and then move on to something else, but "understanding the gospel in its simplicity and fullness will help us understand our origin, destiny, and identity--who we are, why we matter, and how we can become the best version of ourselves in this world." The first half also presents the gospel in one word: Jesus. And the gospel in three words: Jesus is Lord.
The second half the book dives deeper on themes in the first half and presents the gospel in thirty words: Jesus is God with us. Come to Show us God's love. Save us from sin. Set up God's kingdom. and shut down religion. So we can share in God's life. I like the 3-part structure of this. "Jesus is God with us" (the incarnation) is the ground of the gospel or the foundation of the gospel. Four middle parts "show us God's love," "save us from sin," "set up God's kingdom," and "shut down religion," are the gifts of the gospel. And lastly, "so we can share in God's life" (theosis) is the goal of the gospel.
Bruxy is clear to mention that this framework is not for Christians to repeat at people as a means of evangelism. But it's a way of helping Christians frame the gospel, recognize its comprehensive nature, and, for many of us, remind us how and that we do need to actually TALK about the gospel just as much as we show our faith by how we live. And that we need to talk naturally about who Jesus is to those who are spiritually curious. Reunion and the study guide provide a great "re-training" and reminding of the gospel for Christians but also a great introduction to those who are seeking too!
The first half of the book outlines the "good news" as actually GOOD news--rooted in God's love. And that the gospel is like the game Othello: "a minute to learn, a lifetime to master," Christians don't need to "learn the gospel" and then move on to something else, but "understanding the gospel in its simplicity and fullness will help us understand our origin, destiny, and identity--who we are, why we matter, and how we can become the best version of ourselves in this world." The first half also presents the gospel in one word: Jesus. And the gospel in three words: Jesus is Lord.
The second half the book dives deeper on themes in the first half and presents the gospel in thirty words: Jesus is God with us. Come to Show us God's love. Save us from sin. Set up God's kingdom. and shut down religion. So we can share in God's life. I like the 3-part structure of this. "Jesus is God with us" (the incarnation) is the ground of the gospel or the foundation of the gospel. Four middle parts "show us God's love," "save us from sin," "set up God's kingdom," and "shut down religion," are the gifts of the gospel. And lastly, "so we can share in God's life" (theosis) is the goal of the gospel.
Bruxy is clear to mention that this framework is not for Christians to repeat at people as a means of evangelism. But it's a way of helping Christians frame the gospel, recognize its comprehensive nature, and, for many of us, remind us how and that we do need to actually TALK about the gospel just as much as we show our faith by how we live. And that we need to talk naturally about who Jesus is to those who are spiritually curious. Reunion and the study guide provide a great "re-training" and reminding of the gospel for Christians but also a great introduction to those who are seeking too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews