8.06.2009

The micro-gospel

An interesting blog post with a challenging idea: Can you summarize the gospel in 10 words or less?

According to the article, here's the point of the exercise:

Just like a book title doesn’t explain all 75,000 words in a novel…

Neither does a tiny summary of the gospel explain the complex nature of salvation found in the Bible.

Yet we still have book titles. And we still have short summaries: John 3:16.

Naturally everything needs expansion. The thinking behind the post is essentially this: If you can’t summarize what you believe in ten words, do you truly understand what you believe?

And so, with that in mind, I would love to hear from you. How would you summarize the gospel in 10 words or less?

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25 Comments:

Blogger Sean Norris said...

"Christ, died for your transgressions and raised for your justification." - Steve Paulson

That's ten words on the nose!

August 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM  
Blogger thomas said...

That's awesome, Sean!!!!

August 6, 2009 at 11:55 AM  
Blogger Kyle Clark said...

God. Creation. Sin. Prophecy. Christ. Death. Resurrection.

Yeah, each of those would require further explanation, but we are trying to condense all of history (and future) into ten words.

August 6, 2009 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

In hell you burn unless Christ is Savior and Lord

August 6, 2009 at 12:52 PM  
Blogger thomas said...

Interesting approach, Momos! Sort of like a "micro-meta-narrative"...The sweep of scipture summarized by seven words. I love it!

August 6, 2009 at 12:53 PM  
Blogger John Zahl said...

christ died to save sinners

August 6, 2009 at 1:15 PM  
Blogger adamkylejohnston said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

August 6, 2009 at 1:44 PM  
Blogger adamkylejohnston said...

Christ died to redeem sinners and all God's good creation.

August 6, 2009 at 1:45 PM  
Blogger JAG said...

Christ is Lord. His love and forgiveness are unconditional. Repent.

that was fun!

August 6, 2009 at 2:21 PM  
Blogger JAG said...

Oh my goodness, I just realized I didn't even mention the cross or grace! Not cool. I am going to have to revise this...or be allowed more words! The Gospel is indeed "a short word."

August 6, 2009 at 2:26 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

We're drowning. God sent Jesus that we might breathe again.

August 6, 2009 at 2:27 PM  
Blogger thomas said...

These are all just wonderful. So many different approaches, and all naturally converging at the same point: the Cross!

August 6, 2009 at 2:35 PM  
Blogger Blair said...

Jesus lived and died to bring all to the Father.

August 6, 2009 at 2:38 PM  
Blogger evc said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

August 6, 2009 at 2:51 PM  
Blogger evc said...

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

August 6, 2009 at 2:52 PM  
Blogger dpotter said...

Jesus Christ, raised from the dead...this is my gospel.
--2Tim 2:7-9

August 6, 2009 at 2:57 PM  
Blogger thomas said...

This is great. What a list! I think it's safe to say that you all have put some effort into knowing "what you believe and why you believe it" as they like to say over at the White Horse Inn. Bravo!

August 6, 2009 at 4:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought I knew, but, after all these years, I have never fully realized the love that Jesus has for me, and I long to fully realize it.

August 6, 2009 at 6:18 PM  
Blogger Jacob said...

This is wonderful because the original blog-post is filled with awful un-gospel stuff about the Kingdom and our obedience. There is also a lengthy and tragic discussion about how the Gospel can't be articulated in 10 words or less because it is so complex. BARF!

Christ died, risen, and returning for you!

August 7, 2009 at 8:48 AM  
Blogger thomas said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

August 7, 2009 at 9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God saves us from death through Jesus' death and resurrection.

August 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM  
Blogger StampDawg said...

BTW... I think the first Christian writer to use a phrase like "the micro-gospel" was Luther.

He called John 3:16 "the Gospel in miniature."

August 7, 2009 at 8:29 PM  
Blogger Recovering Sociopath said...

Alleluia! The Lord is risen.

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

August 8, 2009 at 9:17 AM  
Blogger Charles E. Jenkins said...

Christ Jesus, friend of sinners.

August 10, 2009 at 2:14 PM  
Blogger banjoman said...

God Loves.
Man Sins.
Christ died.
Christ rose.
Grace covers.

August 11, 2009 at 9:01 PM  

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