Salvation

Salvation is something that happens in football stadiums at things called crusades or revivals, right? Something that goes on at those churches with just one sermon, given in a thousand different ways, right? The proclamation of the gospel has meant, in the past century, that someone who is very eloquent, or very passionate and persuasive, preaches a sermon that causes people to make a decision for Jesus Christ, hopefully with tears. And salvation means that that person do longer has the eternal destiny of being a rotisserie chicken right? You have to admit that that is probably the first thing you think of when you hear “The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind”. And so it is no small wonder then, that as a good Presbyterian you might have felt a little bit left out of the first great end.

That’s not our style. It’s never really been our style. But, in the 19th and 20th centuries, all of the emphasis was placed on the conversion event, at least among those who were most vocal about their faith, and who for most of this country defined what it meant to be a Christian as far as the popular consensus was concerned, making us Presbyterians seem very much like the “frozen chosen” we often joke that we are. The emphasis was on individuals making personal decisions to save their souls from the fire of hell. It was very effective, and still is. And it often left Presbyterians feeling a bit cold, and it still does. And you know, just because something is effective, doesn’t mean that it’s the whole truth and it doesn’t mean that it’s very Biblical, either. You see, Jesus’ concern was changed lives. When Jesus called people to be his disciples, did he say,”Admit that I’m an awesome guy, and that I’m the eternally begotten Son of God, and that compared to me you’re a piece of scum?” or did he say “Follow me?” Which did he say? Which did he say? Right, the second one.

You see, individual conversion experiences are great. But they have about as much do with being a Christian, as a big fancy wedding does with being married. So I think that we Presbyterians have some reconnecting to do with the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind. And I think that our understanding of the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind has alot to offer the church as it gets past this reductionistic view of the gospel and of salvation.

~This is an excerpt from our sermon series on the Great Ends of the Church. This one, in particular is on the salvation of humankind, the second half of the first great end.