Anabapt-ish Theology Book Club discussion

As you read, what is sticking out to you? What questions are arising? What are you finding compelling or shocking?

I’m almost half way through and there have been a few things that have struck me.
Something that has plagued me for several years - how do we make the transition from salvation (decided) culture to gospel (disciple) culture? Like pastor Eric, I struggle with so many who “accept” Christ but don’t “obey” him. That struggle is in part created by his “salvation culture” gospel.
I appreciated how he pointed out the major flaws of each arm of the reformation but then commented that it was “a profound work of God that both enlivened the church and altered Western European history for the better.”
I love the Dallas Willard quote; “Gospels of Sin Management presume a Christ with no serious work other than redeeming humankind . . . [and] they foster “vampire Christians,” who only want a little blood for their sins but nothing more to do with Jesus until heaven.”
If the gospel were just the passion week, crucifixion, and resurrection, then the other three years of Christ’s ministry and teaching are just a nice story and have no meaning.
I’ve just reached the point where McNight comments that the rent four gospels, but four books of one gospel; “Because authors of these books did not see themselves as authors or biographers of Jesus so much as witnesses to the one gospel when they told the Story of Jesus.”

As I’m reading this for the second time I can’t help but think of my students (I teach high school Bible). McKnight talks about our unwillingness to critique Billy Graham… but most of my students don’t even know who he is. Maybe I’m just optimistic but I think that youth pastors and Bible teachers have an opportunity to correct this soterian Gospel and really make a huge difference in the next generation.

Kevin wrote: "As I’m reading this for the second time I can’t help but think of my students (I teach high school Bible). McKnight talks about our unwillingness to critique Billy Graham… but most of my students d..."

I appreciate your optimism. I teach a bible study at my church and I often espouse this type of fuller gospel. The issue I run into is that it isn't always reinforced from the pulpit or from popular Christian media.

I forgot the time he spends on the creeds. I think that section helps make the argument that the biblical authors and early church understood the gospel as a kingdom message rather than a plan of salvation.

Generally, many of my thoughts relate to McKnight's argumentation because I'm regularly trying to persuade many friends that the gospel is more than just the Romans Road, etc.

I am jumping in a little late (was working on my first class for my Masters). I am about 25% through the book and am reminded of a training class I took several years ago before I could teach a women's small group. When we read Matthew 28:19 I was struck by the fact that it says to make disciples, not get people saved. I am not aware of a passage in the Bible that tells us to get people saved. I am interested to see what else McKnight has to say as I am starting to wonder if we have things backwards, so to speak. Perhaps we should be discipling and salvation will naturally follow. (Though, after reading and listening to Jersak, I wonder what place "being saved" has in the Christ-follower life)

I think "being saved" understood as liberation from oppression (or, obsession?)/deliverance to covenant community might still have some legs in it? That, of course, is probably achieved, if at all, by discipleship!

Robert wrote: "I think "being saved" understood as liberation from oppression (or, obsession?)/deliverance to covenant community might still have some legs in it? That, of course, is probably achieved, if at all,..."

Robert, I love this comment about obsession. That's how I read a lot of the sermons in Acts, which McKnight first brought to my attention. There is a call to be saved but it's not from God's wrath. It's from the destruction that will inevitably come from following the prevailing wisdom of the world (greed, idolotry, honor/social climbing)