The hosts read an article about Left Behind co-author Jerry Jenkins, who believes the world is close to the end and has written a new novel titled after his son's TV series The Chosen. They ridicule his 'theology' that God might cave under the weight of a sinful world, argue America is not the bellwether of the end times (people were once punished by being thrown in a pond with starved cats), and note the gospel is on fire in China, Africa, and the Middle East. They agree no more prophecy needs fulfilling before the end ('it's just been true for 2,000 years') and that the gospel starts with good news, not scare tactics: 'go out and spread the gospel, not go out and scare people to death.' The segment closes with the joke that Jenkins is cashing in on his son's show title.
More on Gospel
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What part of the gospel resonates with Gen Z
- What part of the gospel message actually resonates with your generation, and what doesn't land?
The host asks the room what the 'good news' actually is for them. The young people land on Jesus' love in a social-media culture that says nobody cares, and the freedom of not carrying sin and burdens.
From No. 576 · Get A Dog
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Ramadan and the cultural behaviors of Christianity
- What are the cultural behaviors of Christianity that can be kept without actually having a relationship with Jesus?
Ben asks what the cultural behaviors of Christianity are that can be kept without actually having a relationship with Jesus, prompted by a Ramadan display at a halal grocery after a daddy-daughter date.
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The salve, boldness, and calling out sin
- Am I the person supposed to call out sin in a given context?
- Why is it easier to be bold with Christians than with non-Christians?
A host offers the "salve" metaphor: the gospel is healing salve that believers protect and wrap up, while others lick it off.
From No. 504 · Saul, Naturally
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The messenger matters: Paul, Acts, and relationship
- What do you think the good news actually is?
The hosts push back on the article: the messenger does matter, as Paul's past made his preaching land; Acts preaching was tuned to its audience; disciple-making is relational rather than gospel-dumping, and hiding your faith until later is disingenuous.
From No. 494 · 500-ish