wi-fi gospel

if i were writing a novel right now, i'd probably give it a clever title, like the wi-fi gospel. i'd probably put a chapter in it that sounded like this:

ever try to explain the internet to someone? how would you even start to explain it? you'd probably start with how you use it, and how those around you use it. yet, the internet is all those things and so much more. if you heard yourself trying to explain it, you'd probably laugh at yourself. because, even though your description may be accurate, it would pale in comparison to the magnitude and impact that the internet actually possesses. it contains so many uses for so many people, and then a lot more too. simply put, 'the net' is beyond the isolated description of any single person or group of people; beyond everyone's description put together.

i would argue that the impact, influence and complexity of the Gospel of Jesus is greater than that of the internet. that the way it intersects with the lives of everyone who has experienced it is unique and immeasureable.

the Gospel is more huge than the internet. yet more accessible than any wi-fi connection.

so why do we try to sum it up in a 4-point tract? in a five minute encounter with a stranger? in a debate? with an air of "i understand this, and you should too"? why define the Gospel?

i appreciate Paul when he speaks of "seeing through a glass, darkly" (1 cor 12:13, kjv), and "falling short" of the glory (rom 3:23). i believe that our falling short involves more than inadequate performance. indeed, we fall short of an understanding of the glory too.

we had a great home gathering tonight at 1826. talked about the mystery of the Gospel. how ascribing a bit more mystery to the message and person of Jesus would probably do us some good; how it would be more appropriate for the huge-ness that is the Gospel; and how it might very well speak more effectively to a post-modern generation, enhancing our relationships with others and with the Creator.

maybe someday, i'll post the lyrics to a worship song i wrote, called 'mystery.'