Imagine that someone who is unfamiliar with your Christian faith asks you to summarize the gospel. The memorable Baptist minister and activist Will Campbell tells the story of how one of his friends had been badgering him for a succinct definition of Christianity. “I’m not too bright,” his friend said. “Keep it simple. In ten words or less, tell me the Christian message.”
What would you have said? If you were asked to describe the Christian message using only ten words, which would you choose? In business, it’s called an “elevator speech.” The idea is that you should be able to explain yourself in the time it takes to ride in an elevator. Nowadays, conversations are very brief, which may not be a good thing. However, we often find only short snippets of time, or brief encounters, or 140 characters to talk about the things that matter most to us!
Several years ago, The Christian Century published an article titled, “The Gospel in Seven Words.” The article is a presentation from prominent authors, pastors and theologians who were invited to do just that: articulate the Good News of Jesus in seven words or less. The results of the invitation are fascinating. Here are a few of the responses:
- The great historian Martin Marty: “God, through Jesus Christ, welcomes you anyhow.”
- The pastor and author Brian McLaren: “In Christ, God calls all to reconciliation.”
- The Biblical scholar Beverly Roberts Gaventa: “In Christ, God’s yes defeats our no.”
- The professor of Missions and World Christianity Lamin Sanneh draws directly from the New Testament: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world.”
- And poet Mary Karr (the only one of the guest writers to talk about the church): “We are the Church of Infinite Chances.”
Each of these presentations of the gospel is true and Biblical. Each captures an important aspect of the good news of Jesus while using different words and different images. They highlight different aspects of the Good News, like light shining on different facets of a cut diamond. An article like this makes me wonder which words I would have chosen if someone had asked me. I’ll ask it again – what words would you choose if someone asked you?
Peter encouraged Christians: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) If someone asks you what you believe, or why you go to church, or what it means to be a Christian, could you articulate it?
On Sunday mornings in Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2, we’ll reflect on what it means to confess the Gospel. As we do, I hope you will reflect on what God has done in your life in Jesus, and to think of how to put these things into your own words.
If the words come slowly or feel incomplete, fear not – you are not alone! Consider the summary written by seminary president and pastor Martin Copenhaver who relied on only five: “God gets the last word.” The Lenten journey that begins with ashes on our foreheads, repentance, grief over sin, and the sober reminder that the wages of sin is death, ends in Easter triumph.
Through the victorious resurrection of the Son, God gets the last word. It is a word of grace. It is a word of forgiveness. It is a word of life, salvation and peace with God. It’s a word of hope for tomorrow and forever.
My prayer is that remembering the gospel in Lent this year will strengthen our faith in Jesus, not only to prepare us to remember his death and celebrate his resurrection, but also prepare us to share our Christian hope with all who need to hear it.
Grace & Peace,
Christopher