Monday, August 10, 2009

Gospel in 10

Came across this post from the Mockingbird blog while I was perusing down at The Boars Head. It's an exercise in summarizing what you believe, if you believe on Christ:

Can you summarize the gospel in 10 words or less?

When Ken and I first started seriously writing together with one of our goals being publication, we learned pretty quickly that we'd need to be able to summarize our works -- whether an essay, a short story, or a novel -- in one sentence, for a variety of reasons (query letters, interested editors/agents thru correspondence or at conferences, description for prospective readers, etc.). Although I'd not thought about it in these terms, I should be able to utilize this practice with my faith in Christ as well. Here's my attempt:

God came, lived, was crucified and resurrected for sinners.

Obviously, as the author of the original post stated, any 10 words or less explanation would have to be more fully detailed to define (as best we can) the nature of Salvation and sin, the whys and hows of God's love, etc. Nonetheless, I think this is a fantastic exercise.

In the comments of a non-related post (Saturday is for Answering Questions) and site, Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, answered a similar question. He was asked:

What is your understanding of the gospel? In five sentences…

His answer, which just so happened to be 10 words:

God created.
Man sins.
Jesus saves.
We believe.
God reigns.

Beautiful. I think I like his better than mine.

Anyone else want to give it a try?

6 comments:

Milly said...

I asked my son. this is what he said.

God loves you

I asked. ything else?

No it all comes back to love. It's all about love.

Diabolical Genius said...

My Redeemer Lives!!

Milly said...

My Miss Littles
Love
Her friend Little one
Faith

DougALug said...

God's unquenchable love made an eternal way for us.

Anonymous said...

He came.
He died.
He arose.
He saves.
You accept?



WandaV

Rich said...

Kenneth,

For your fine answer, I thought -- just for the heck of it -- I'd list the Samuel Medley words)/John Hatton (music) lyrics to their excellent song, the title taken from Job 19:25 (I know that my Redeemer lives) in the Old Testament yet pointing directly to Jesus. Awesome tune - beautiful lyrics:

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!