2009 National Gospel Coalition Conference Session 7

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1. Culturally distant message of the cross.
- Sin and guilt are not common concepts in shame cultures, right and wrong are determined by the result the action has on the community. Do not believe in a personal or supreme God with accountability.

You cannot cop out, your main message has to be one of the Gospel, no exceptions, no apologies, no turning back. The message of the cross must be preached, even at the expense of your own self, at the possibility of being called a fool.

Paul was involved in a purely intellectual debate for the wisdom of the cross. Marketing sin and guilt to a shame orientation is useless. Paul preached the completeness of our God, and the shame of the cross. Proven method of communication in Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

All religions started with sacrifice which was abused, and purified by reformers.
Sacrifice is honored by humans, if God does not sacrifice himself, that makes us more honorable than God.

We must use whatever means we can to explain the message of the cross.

2. Upholding the uniqueness of Christ in a pluralistic society.
- Nationalism has no place for Christianity. Pluralism, and openness is seen as superior and less arrogant, than saying we have the only way.
Persecution is a means of conversion. Prosperity is never good for Christianity.
People who believe in Jesus should be servants to the people.
Suffering played a significant role in the rise of Christianity.
Strength for servitude comes from being the servant of God, Lord of lords.
Fundamentalism is an expression of weakness.
We respect culture, people, practice, because we know Christ is ultimately more than anything we can imagine.
You must be willing to submit to culture to open the door to the Gospel.

3. Maintaining Evangelism in a materialistic world.
- Keep evangelism a priority.
If we are good Christians we will make sure all social concerns are taken care of, our neighbors will be fed, we will take care of those less fortunate.

Evangelism is being described as new colonialism.

We must not forget, or exclude the reality of hell, retribution is an aspect of life that should be preached and believed. Preaching about Hell must not be done out of fear, but out of anguish and love for those who may be going there. We will have to stand in front of God.