Back to the Beginning

Podcast

Back to the Beginning

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Its time for a church-wide deconstruction of all the bad theology we've been consuming.

Evangelical Christianity encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practices, and while there is no universally agreed-upon set of "sacred tenets," there are several key beliefs and principles that are commonly associated with evangelical Christianity. Here are five of them:

1. The Authority of the Bible: Evangelical Christians hold a deep reverence for the Bible, considering it the inspired and authoritative word of God. They believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Scriptures and rely on it as their primary guide for faith and practice.

2. Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ: Evangelicals emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for salvation. They believe that faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior is the means by which individuals can have their sins forgiven and attain eternal life.

3. The Great Commission: Evangelicals are committed to spreading the Christian faith and fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus in the Bible (Matthew 28:16-20). They actively engage in evangelism, missionary work, and discipleship to share the message of salvation with others.

4. Conversion Experience: Evangelicals often place a significant emphasis on the need for a conversion or "born-again" experience. They believe that individuals must have a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ, leading to a change of heart and a commitment to follow Him.

5. Personal Holiness and Moral Values: Evangelical Christians strive for personal holiness and moral integrity based on biblical teachings. They uphold traditional Christian values and may be active in advocating for issues they believe align with their faith, such as pro-life causes, traditional marriage, and religious freedom.

It's important to note that within the broad category of evangelical Christianity, there is diversity in theological perspectives and specific beliefs, and not all evangelical Christians may adhere to these principles in the same way. Additionally, evangelicalism exists within the larger Christian tradition, which encompasses a wide range of denominations and theological traditions, each with its own distinct beliefs and practices.

So what's with the call for deconstruction? Well here we go...

Mike Parsons, Graham Cooke, Bill Johnson, and Justin Paul Abraham are all influential figures associated with various expressions of charismatic and prophetic Christianity. While their teachings may emphasize different aspects of the Christian faith, it's important to note that they generally fall within the broader evangelical Christian tradition. As such, they typically affirm many of the key tenets mentioned earlier, such as the authority of the Bible and the importance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. However, they may provide unique perspectives or emphases within these general evangelical beliefs. Here's how their teachings might align and challenge the key tenets:

1. The Authority of the Bible:

- Generally, figures like Mike Parsons, Graham Cooke, Bill Johnson, and Justin Paul Abraham affirm the authority of the Bible. However, they may also emphasize the importance of experiencing God's presence and revelation in a personal and transformative way, which can complement traditional Bible study.

2. Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ:

- These teachers typically affirm the central role of Jesus Christ in salvation. They may emphasize the need for a personal encounter with Jesus and the Holy Spirit's transformative work in a believer's life.

3. The Great Commission:

- While these teachers may support evangelism and mission work, they might also emphasize the idea of "kingdom living" and encourage believers to manifest God's presence and power in everyday life, not just in evangelistic efforts.

4. Conversion Experience:

- Figures like Bill Johnson and Justin Paul Abraham often highlight the importance of encountering God's supernatural power and experiencing spiritual breakthroughs. They may place a strong emphasis on believers having personal encounters with the Holy Spirit.

5. Personal Holiness and Moral Values:

- These teachers may encourage believers to pursue personal holiness and moral values, but they may also stress the idea of "sonship" or "identity in Christ," emphasizing that believers are loved and accepted by God regardless of their performance.

It's important to recognize that charismatic and prophetic Christianity can bring a heightened emphasis on spiritual experiences, the supernatural, and the power of the Holy Spirit. While these emphases may complement traditional evangelical beliefs, they can also lead to variations in practice and theology. However, at their core, these teachers generally share a commitment to Christ-centered faith and the foundational principles of evangelical Christianity.

Final comment and likely the most poignant for our initial discussion. As Mike Parsons says, "A face to face encounter with God beats a theology or doctrine about Him everyday of the week." I believe this and would rather spend one minute in the courts of heaven actually engage with the Word, aka Jesus, then squabbling about the authority of a collection of books. We've elevated the "Bible" which for evangelicals, means the NIV version, over invitation we have to encounter the Living Word Himself. We will unpack more of these tenants and address why I think we need to redefine them to fit a much deeper and profound gospel message than the one we've been consuming. Welcome to the Abundant Life. I promise this will lead to a richer, fuller life in Christ. Just hang on!