The Naked Gospel
Posted by Ryan Geiger on November 12, 2009 · 2 Comments
Anybody who knows me knows that I love to read. I love to read for personal growth not for personal entertainment, although I find entertainment in personal growth. I started reading a book called The Naked Gospel that was recommended to me by Shari Kelly our Life Group Director here at Fellowship Church. I want to share a snippet of one chapter that really challenged my thinking. I think it made me angry, I think it made me question, I think the book did exactly what it was supposed to do, and it was only chapter two. Check this out, it’s a quiz. Try and take it as well. Questions are true or false.
- Christians should ask God to forgive and cleanse them when they sin.
- Christians struggle with sin because of their old self within.
- We should wait on God even before making everyday decisions.
- When we sin against God, we’re out of fellowship until we repent.
- Old Testament law is written on Christians’ hearts so we want to obey it.
- The Bible tells us that Christians can obtain many rewards in heaven.
- Christians will give an account for their sins at the great white throne.
- Christians should tithe at least 10 percent of their income to the church.
- God gets angry with us when we repeatedly sin against him.
- God looks at us as though we’re righteous, even though we’re really not.
“The Biblical answers to each of the Naked Gospel quiz statements is false. Yes, false. So how’d you do? Are you ready to peel away layers of religiosity in order to discover an exhilarating reality-always keeping in mind that truth is supposed to set you free?”
Interesting book so far but I will say that I disagree with him from a Biblical point of view on his interpretation and application of the scripture in this book and that’s okay that we agree to disagree. I know where I stand theologically and that won’t waiver. I am however open philosophically to a shift or change if I am wrong. I do like to be challenged in my thought process and how I come to conclusions. The quiz may leave you feeling the same way that I did with questions and even some anger that things I grew up learning were wrong according to him, but with thought prayer and a step-back approach I realize that this is one person’s point of view but I think for some who are not progressive at all it is one point of view to consider in that it may stretch your thinking.
I think as you read it further you’ll find that you don’t disagree as much as you think you do now … though the point of reading it is not to agree or disagree but to think about it, as you said, and be able to explain the Good News to others.
Not that you will change your mind, but you’ll understand what he is really saying. (See what I did there?) He isn’t saying what you think he’s saying … he’s a sneaky one.