Reimagining the Gospel: The literal meaning, Good News!

Isa 61:1-2  The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;  (2)  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor.

Evangelical Christianity and Orthodoxy have given connotative, re-purposed, religious meanings to terms and certainly the gospel is one such word. This is one of the reasons that I like the NRSV. It simply gives the English equivalent to gospel which is the phrase good news. For the most part, the way that evangelical Christianity views and defines the gospel, it is not really, good news. However, the gospel is indeed good news. It proclaims that the reign of God is here. The reign of God is among humanity, and in humanity. Further, the driving focus of the reign of God (it can likewise be called kingdom of God,) is FAVOR. Favor you ask? Yes, God's favor toward humanity and the creation.

To emphasize this, two New Testament writers are extremely important. One is the Apostle John, and the other is the Apostle Paul. Both John and Paul emphasized God's favor/grace. I want to refer to it as favor here in this post, but when I write about favor, I am also writing about grace. There is yet another New Testament author that is also integral in the idea of God's favor, and it is the author of Hebrews. This author was likely a disciple of the Apostle Paul, and was greatly influenced by the mystical revelation Paul received.

The synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke have a far less mystical tone and a far more historical tone than does the Gospel of John and parts of the writings of Paul. The Gospel of John and a significant part of the writings of Paul are far more mystical than strictly historical. That is not to say that the mystical revelation of John and Paul is not historically accurate. Rather it is to point out that their writings are more universally mystical. I purposefully use the term mystical because I believe that the word spiritual has a connotation within Christian dogma that makes it much less a favorable term for my purposes. It should also be pointed out that when I say a significant part of Paul's writings I am speaking of the mystical revelation aspects of his writings, and not the rabbinical commentary that Paul was also known for. I have discussed that in another post entitled Paul the Mystic; Paul the Rabbi. Paul's mystical revelation explains the favor of God for all of humanity without purposed, reciprocal expectation on the part of God. God knows that favor is the best way to supernaturally produce love and obedience. It is the favor of God that leads one to change ones mind toward loving one another.

So what is the good news? What makes it good news? The good news is that God was in Christ reconciling the world. The good news is that God is love. The good news is that God keeps no record of wrongs. The good news is that God is a loving parent. The good news is that God is in us and we are in God. The good news is that we have a mediator between us and God, the first born that was chosen to be such from before creation, Jesus the Christ. The good news is that Papa raised Jesus from the dead to show us that we are all eternal. The good news is that the reign of God is already here. The good news is that we can pattern ourselves after Jesus. We can comfort all those who mourn. We can bind up the broken hearts of the broken hearted. We can proclaim liberty to those who have been captive all their lives because of the fear of death. The good news is that we are free to love, and we can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless and visit the sick and those in prison. The good news is that we have the capability to turn the other cheek. The good news is that we are free to love one another. The good news is that we have a pattern within the life of Jesus to see what Papa is like. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen Papa. One would not know that were it not for the more mystical gospel of John. Likewise, one would not know that God is love if John had not told us so. Paul defined love and part of the definition was not keeping a record of wrongs.

That is why John and Paul are so important in understanding the more universal gospel of God's favor which is an intricate part of the gospel of God's kingdom. There is absolutely no bad news in the gospel, because if there was it would not be the gospel/good news. 

How to identify a disciple of Jesus

John 13:35  "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I try to stay focused on this, and I have improved but, quite frankly, I fall short of the mark all too often. I can be short, sarcastic, accusative, and critical of others all too often. Still, that does not mean that I am not improved in having love for others. One thing that I am proud of is that I believe that I have a lot of compassion for others; even my enemies. Where I fall short is with those who seem to be so sure that they are right and that they have the correct understanding of Christianity and what it means to be a Christ follower. This is the place that I find difficult to express and extend compassion. But, I am working on it.

I have slowly, over time, and ever increasingly, come to realize that what is known as evangelical Christianity here in America, does not closely resemble the teachings of Jesus. Nationalism and individualism is not compatible with Christian doctrine. And yet, we have the bulk of evangelicals emphasizing nationalism, and individualism. Furthermore, the main emphasis is on sin. They focus on sin management when in John's gospel it is written that Jesus is the Lamb of God that TAKES AWAY the sin of the entire world. The Prophet Jeremiah, in anticipation of Israel's New Covenant, (which is not a New Covenant to Gentiles because they did not have an Old Covenant,) announced that God would forgive all iniquity and remember it no more. 

We find in the writings of the apostle John that God is love, and Paul defines love in 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen and one of the points made is that love keeps no record of wrongs. If God is love and love keeps no record of wrongs, then it logically follows that God keeps no record of wrongs. This agrees completely with what was revealed to Jeremiah. God does not remember sin. Why would that be? What would be God's motive in not remembering wrongs? Simply put, it would be to produce love, joy, and peace in the recipients of such a gracious gift. Further, it would automatically produce a deep love for God. This deep, abiding, real love for God would automatically, supernaturally cause the recipient to want to please such a gracious God. 

When one believes the truth about God it becomes natural to want to love one another. Jesus said, "no greater love is there than this that one would lay down their life for a friend." But, he takes it a huge step farther. 

Luke 6:27-35  "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  (28)  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  (29)  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.  (30)  Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.  (31)  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  (32)  "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  (33)  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.  (34)  If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  (35)  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked."

It appears to me that most of evangelical Christianity is so busy trying to manage sin and in so doing condemn the sinners that they do not take the words of Jesus seriously in the least. I have to admit that Jesus words are challenging and extremely difficult to follow. However, we must consider them and strive to do them when we realize that because of Jesus, God is not keeping a record of wrongs. Not ANY wrongs!

I think it is important to begin to take Jesus words to heart. Realize that he really meant them. I have heard so many evangelicals say that he certainly did not mean that. Oh yeah? Of course he meant them, and he realized that God's love and grace for each of us would help supernaturally transform us into people that would have God's heart toward all humanity. That is the goal of the gospel message. The gospel is the GOOD NEWS that God loves us and is not keeping a record of wrongs. It is designed to enable each person who believes the good news to become the hands, feet, mouth, and brain of God and actually serve/minister this love to others.

So how do you identify a disciple of Jesus? Agape/LOVE!

Inclusive! Not Exclusive: Reimagining The Object of Praise

Eph 1:3-6  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  (4)  just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.  (5)  He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,  (6)  to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved

The above timeline shows that we have moved into the new heaven and earth age. It is time to change our minds about many closely held beliefs.

The big mistake that Christian Orthodoxy and Evangelical Orthodoxy have made in their dogma was believing that Jesus' message and benefits were exclusive to those who believe and thereby, fulfill certain rites of passage such as saying the sinners prayer, believing, being prayed up for forgiveness, etc. Here is the reality: The Logos, the Tao, the Quantum Unified Field, of which all humanity is a part of, agreed jointly and severally to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (the basic quantum level) through a mediator Jesus Christ. This choice was made jointly and severally before creation for the purpose of bringing honor, glory and praise to the FAVOR/grace of the plan. This plan in and of itself is proof positive that the creative source of the universe is love. Further, it was decided that the aspects of the creative source, godhead would be Parent, Son/Daughter/Sibling, Spirit. In the Christian tradition it is Papa, Jesus and Spirit. All are aspects of the Conscious Creative Source that is known by Logos, and Tao, and for that matter any other name that represents the ONE TRUE GOD.

However, it was not meant to be exclusively Christian just as Jesus was not meant to be the exclusively Jewish Messiah, rather he was the Messiah of all. The benefits of the creative plan are available to all. Furthermore, as you read on in the Ephesian passage through verse 13, you find that it was a sovereign plan before the the foundation of the world, or in other words, before anything was created that has been created. The creative source accomplishes all things to the counsel (committee) of its will (Eph 1: 11.) It is important to accept the idea that the Creator mystically revealed this spiritual knowledge to individuals through out the history of humanity and the Apostle Paul was one such individual. He received a great deal of mystical revelation about the nature of God, and God's relationship to humanity and the creation in general.

However. it is important to realize that some of the mystical revelation of Christianity was exclusive. Not that it was exclusive to Christians only, but that it was exclusively revealed to Christ followers in the first century. Here is a list, although not exhaustive of the exclusive mystical information that was revealed through Christ followers in the first century CE. It was revealed that God was Papa, Son and Spirit; that God was love and, that love was defined (1Cor 13.) Jesus teaching reveals what it means to love and be loved. Love is being good to your enemies, loving your neighbor as yourself, it is caring for the least, providing them with adequate drink, food, clothing, shelter. When Jesus states that no one comes to the father but by him, it should be understood, that no one comes to the knowledge that God is papa except by him. 

Other important mystical revelations from Christianity emphasize that all are reconciled to the father through the faith of the Son. This is not in an exclusive reconciliation but, an all inclusive reconcilation as well. All are reconciled. There is never a reason for humanity to fear Papa because of love and the declaration of all being righteous. That declaration by the way, was made in Genesis 1:31. All of the exclusive things are a misunderstanding from not realizing audience, cultural, and religious context. Jesus words were spoken to a strictly Jewish audience who were under the Mosaic Covenant. It was not until well after Pentecost that consideration was given that the message could be for the Gentiles as well. The only Gentiles that were considered were God fearers. These were Gentiles that attached themselves to a synagogue and tried their best to follow the Torah with the exception of circumcision.

There was a much bigger plan in the works. In fact, it had been the ultimate plan from before creation. It was a plan that would bring praise to God's glorious grace. After all, it is the grace of God that leads one to change their mind about the goodness and love of God. This revelation was for all of humanity. I think that the mystical revelation revealed to others over the course of human history was intended to benefit all people inclusively. This would include Lao Tzu and the Tao, and it would also included Gautama Buddha. I'm certain that included many others but I mention them because I am most familiar with them.

In the above passage from the Apostle Paul, he clearly states without equivocation that God's purpose in the reconciliatory plan was to bring our praise to God's glorious grace/FAVOR. Yes indeed all humanity has favor with God, all humanity has God as their Papa. They have favor with God even if they are Taoists, Hindu, Buddhists, Muslims. While we can benefit from the mystical revelation they received, they can benefit from the mystical revelation that Christ followers received. Let me just state that this mystical revelation is ongoing and alive and well today!

Reimagining Grace:

Tit 2:11-12  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,  (12)  training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,

One of the misunderstood and misinterpreted concepts in the Christian gospel is grace. Grace is the driving force of the gospel. Grace has always been the case! Grace means favor. The first mention of grace is in Genesis 6:8. It's meaning is Noah found FAVOR. If one looks at the Septuagint, one sees that in Genesis 6:8 the Greek word for grace is Charis. It is important then that we understand that whenever you read the word grace in the New Testament it means favor. So then, the driving force of the gospel message is God's FAVOR bestowed on humanity. The above passage from Titus chapter two could read, "For the FAVOR of God has brought salvation to ALL, training us to be loving (like God) in this present age" (my emphasis and translation.) Evangelical orthodoxy has treated grace like an undeserved step child. That is simply not the case. God, has always been gracious. To be clear, when I use the term God, I mean the creative source of the universe, the Logos, the Tao. I also want to emphasize from the post on reimagining the Godhead that the creative source has three aspects. It is Papa, Son, and Spirit.

Look at this verse from John's gospel: Joh 1:14 " And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus was full of grace and truth or in other words favor and truth. When John goes on to say that the Law was given by Moses but favor and truth came through Jesus, one can correctly conclude that the Law was neither favor nor truth. The Law showed how important the truth of God's favor really was. Humanity needed and deserved God's favor because of Papa's love.

Now when we look again at the passage in Titus chapter two, it is evident that the FAVOR of God brought salvation to ALL! It does not say salvation to some. The true favor is salvation for all. This brings me to the point of explaining how I see the importance of grace and how it operates supernaturally to bring about godliness. This has seemed so clear to me for years and years, but sometimes I wonder if I properly communicate the idea. An idea by the way that flies in the face of human reason and what seems reasonable. And, of course the scripture says that there is a way which seems right to humanity but the end of that way brings death. So grace is the concept where one must suspend reason and yet, the truth is, that grace being the driver of godliness is really the most reasonable concept of all.

Here is the supernatural operation of grace/favor: God grants favor and has brought salvation and reconciliation to all. It is simply a declaration of God. Truly believing and apprehending this knowledge immediately brings peace with God. In turn, peace with God promotes genuine love for God. The reason being is that the favor/grace of God has removed fear. This genuine love for God not based in any type of fear promotes love and peace within us. This is the mindset in which to begin to look at love your neighbor, love your enemies, take care of the less fortunate, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and do unto other as one would want done. It is so simple, oh if it would only be believed!

Reimagining Sin/Sins

Heb 3:17-19  But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?  (18)  And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient?  (19)  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

There are many errors in orthodox dogma. One such area is the idea or concept of Sin. First, it is instructive to look at sin from both the Greek and Hebrew. In Hebrew the word is Chata, and it means to miss the way. In Greek, the word is Hamartia, and it means to miss the mark. This is a far cry from the meaning that Judaism and subsequently Christianity has placed on the words. The connotation for the words sin and sins has had a deleterious effect on Christianity and its adherents. In the above passage from  the Letter to the Hebrews, it is obvious that the writer equates sin, disobedience, and unbelief. What was it they did not believe? It was that God was gracious and had given them deliverance.

Jesus also points to the fact that sin is unbelief. Joh 16:8-9 "And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:  (9)  about sin, because they do not believe in me;" It is interesting that Jesus says, he will prove the world wrong about sin. He is saying you should reimagine sin. Sin is not what you have been taught. The only sin that the Holy Spirit convicts of is the sin of unbelief. Here we have two separate witnesses to the fact that sin and unbelief are synonymous. Now look what Paul states: Rom 1:5 "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name," Here Paul agrees with the writer of Hebrews and Jesus. Faith or belief is obedience.

The question becomes, how is faith/belief obedience and unbelief sin? The answer is that it is belief in a God that is love. It is a belief in a God that is Papa. It is a belief in a God that is in each of us and each of us are in God. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13 that love keeps no record of wrongs. Therefore, faith/belief is agreement that God is not keeping a record of our sin and that he loves us unconditionally. If one really believes this message, then one cannot help but reciprocate by loving such a God. From the place of loving Papa, it becomes easy to understand what he wants for all of us. He wants us to love one another. He wants us to even love our enemies. He wants us to do good to those that mistreat us, and guess what, faith in an all loving Papa will birth the willingness in us. It is from the peace and love we receive from a Papa that does not keep track of wrongs. This is the good news. "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting wrongs. Guess what, he gave to all of us that believe and understand this the "ministry of reconciliation."

So then, as the original languages suggest, sin is merely missing the way and missing the mark. In that way, to one degree or another, we are all sinners. However, that does not separate us from Papa and it does not require Papa to punish us. Papa had the Logos declare from the beginning that his creation including especially humanity was very good (Gen 1:31.) Guess what, that is the place that God declared us righteous. That is the place that righteousness was imputed to humanity. It was right after the creation. Jesus merely came to prove that we are eternal and he did so by his resurrection. In addition, he came to prove that we are divine children of Papa, the loving Papa of the universe.

Remember Jesus words, the Spirit was sent to prove the world wrong about sin. They were wrong in how they imagined sin to be.