A short while back, I asked you what Christian writers or speakers you would like to hear from on key cultural questions. Based on your feedback, I created the concept of “One Voice for the Generations”–a series of interviews that will address 5 questions that are shaping our Faith and world.
The Goal
More and more Christians are getting their spiritual guidance from internet resources. In our diverse culture, there are many misleading voices; which claim the name of Jesus, yet offer a deceptive Gospel. The mission of this interview series is to engage the on-line generation in an intergenerational dialogue to discern the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its application to our changing world.
The Format
The interview will consist of 5 questions. The same five questions will be asked of all interviewees who participate in this series. Answers to each question, along with a biographical sketch, will be posted on “More Than Cake” and YouTube.
The Questions
Q1:There are many “hot-button” issues facing the church in the West; abortion, gay marriage, gender equality, social justice, healthcare, terrorism, war, human rights, poverty, etc… For increasing numbers of Christians, politics has become the primary battlefront for the resolution of these challenges. Is it possible for Christians to engage in the political debate without compromising the Faith? What guidance can you offer the millions struggling to address these issues?
Q2: The Postmodern philosophy continues to have a strong influence on the church. In what way has postmodernism been a positive influence on the Christian Faith? In what ways has it been a negative influence?
Q3: The Christian market is being hit with a spate of books that criticize, or outright condemn, what some call the “institutional” or “traditional” church. Many of these same books promote some alternative form of “house” or “simple” church. What are your thoughts on tone of the debate? What insights can you offer to those who are seeking a biblical ecclesiology?
Q4: Since the time of the Apostles, there have been false teachers who have promoted a distorted Gospel. The Apostle Paul warns about their influences throughout his writings to the 1st century church. What is the best advice you can give the coming generation that will help them discern the truth of Jesus Christ?
Q5: Our world is changing at a seemingly exponential rate. With each passing day, there comes a persistent push against our approach and practice of theology. Some change has been positive for the church, some has been destructive and the impact of some change is yet to be determined. Calling upon your lifetime of experience, look to the future and pinpoint the one theological issue that will play the most significant role is shaping the church. How should the coming generation prepare for this change?
The Participants
The first interviewee is with William (Paul) Young. You may know him as the author of the Shack. Our conversation took place over the phone and his answers to the questions above will go up in three parts starting on Monday. I learned a lot about Paul and he has some great things to say. See you monday!
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I looking forward to reading your conversation with William Young!
You wrote: “More and more Christians are getting their spiritual guidance from internet resources. In our diverse culture, there are many misleading voices; which claim the name of Jesus, yet offer a deceptive Gospel.”
I’ll be interested in your interviews with the authors. I’m wondering what exactly a “deceptive Gospel” is. For example – there are multiple theories of the Atonement in addition to John Calvins Penal Substitution Theory. Would these other theories be considered “deceptive Gospels” under your definition?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement#Main_theories_in_detail
Hi Cliff,
I would not describe alternatives to Calvin as “deceptive” or “false” Gospels. What I have in mind is what the Apostle Paul speaks of in Galatians where there are false Gospels that were stealing the work of Jesus on the cross and replacing it with a legalistic system of works. Or in General, anything that is not summarized by the NT (eg. Eph 2:8-10)
Hi Mike, all 3 parts of the interview are up and ready for a listen. Let me know what you think!