The King Jesus Gospel, my thoughts on Joel Willitt's thought on Scot McKnight's Book before I've read it.

Joel Willitts is reading Scot McKnight's new book, "The King Jesus Gospel."

He makes this observation:

Here’s the central issue Scot is tackling in the book, and its one that has been a perennial discussion since at least the time that I’ve been an adult Christian: Evangelism as a call to decision versus evangelism as a call to a life of discipleship. The former has led to the problem of having “The Decided” in our pews who are yet “The Discipled”. According to Scot, this problem has been created by our “Plan of Salvation” gospel theology. While in no way downplaying the need for a decisive action as a first step, Scot argues that the biblical gospel must be defined such that the end goal is not only or singularly “personal salvation” from sin, but salvation from sin so to participate in God’s epic story of world rescue.

He then asks this question, "Does Scot's concern resonate with you?"

Yes.

It absolutely does.

I detect at least three flaws in "decision evangelicalism."

1. A depersonalized view of Jesus Christ. Since he died for me, I just sing songs about him and that's about it. He is my atonement but not necessarily my Lord or my teacher in the mundane practicalities of my life.
2. A self-centered view of God's kingdom. God's kingdom is where I go when I die. Since I am going there when I die, I do not have to live (not in rebellion but as a logical consequence) as a citizen of this holy, loving, and just society now. This is sad because in a world ripped by war, anybody who preaches about God's kingdom is beautiful all the way to their feet.
3. A view of the Christian life that focuses too much on "my relationship with God (this is a consequence paradoxically held with the first)." This concept, rightly defined is central to the gospel, but typically it means that God loves me no matter what, period. For instance, "I am a friend of God, he calls me friend." But Jesus defines a friend as "somebody who obeys my [Jesus'] commands." This consequence minimizes the atonement because feelings trump grace and so pains of conscience become the norm of the Christian life. But it also minimizes obedience because it fails to emphasize the Kingship of the one who calls us friend.