I wrote Christianity Beyond Belief for two important reasons. First, I am convinced the low level of discipleship in the American church is not in spite of the gospel Christian leaders have been teaching and preaching, but precisely because of it. I know that may be a counterintuitive, even subversive thought—so let me explain.
A gospel that has only to do with sins being forgiven so that one can go to heaven when they die cannot produce and sustain and life of spiritual transformation for the sake of being God’s people. We need a larger view of the Good News of what God is up to in and through human beings. We need Jesus’ Gospel: the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Jesus’ gospel includes forgiveness of sins and eternal life, but—and this is crucial—it cannot be reduced to it. The gospel of the Kingdom has to do with becoming, through grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the cooperative friends of Jesus, who live constant lives of creative goodness for the sake of others through the power of the Holy Spirit. That story, unlike the story of going to heaven when you die, can produce a new life—which is of course an eternal kind of life. 
Second, my decades long practice as a pastor tells me that we Christians tend to misunderstand the nature of community and its essential connection to both evangelism and serving others. Driving 20 to 30 minutes across town to go to church for an hour or so does not constitute community. Neither does adding a drive 20 to 30 minutes in the other direction mid-week to attend a home group.
Community, by definition, means unplanned, routine contact. Community is what you have at work, school, recreation or neighborhood. Those are the places in which we learn to follow Jesus for the sake of others. My Three is Enough groups are a way to help get going with a vision for discipleship and mission within the already existing rhythms and routines of your life.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:43 pm
[...] zum Montag — reinald @ 23:43 Heute ein Artikel von Todd Hunter den ich übersetzt habe, hier der Originalartikel in [...]
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:19 am
I Thank you for putting your thoughts, experiences, and musings to print. I started reading your book at the AMIA conference – finished when I got back home to NW Florida and justed finsished listening to the audio version yesterday. Being able to effectively communicate what it means to be a Christ follower is so necessary and your words “The gospel of the Kingdom has to do with becoming, through grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the cooperative friends of Jesus, who live constant lives of creative goodness for the sake of others through the power of the Holy Spirit.” are so helpful and succint.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Todd,
You’re right. This big picture view of the goal of Christianity needs to get out, in word and deed, and in real communities. I’m almost done with CBB–such a good message in clear and everyday language, which I mean as a real compliment. I’ve already used the donkey line to talk about what God loves to do, and highly recommended the book to our group.
I just have one question: if you’re a Bruin, why put your first book in USC colors? Does your sense of gratitude to Dallas know no bounds?
March 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for the new book Todd. I look forward to reading it. When I read your words;
“The gospel of the Kingdom has to do with becoming, through grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the cooperative friends of Jesus, who live constant lives of creative goodness for the sake of others through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I was encouraged once again to see the Gospel continuing to be proclaimed.
Thanks Todd
May 6th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Your statement “Community, by definition, means unplanned, routine contact.” is one I am struggling with. At work any interactions with others are planned and scheduled, at school interactions are at planned breaks or classes, any interactions at church are at mutually agreed upon times and times to meet with my wife or extended family are planned (including meals). So other than the checkout person at the grocery or a neighbor interacting while I am working in the yard almost all interactions have some level of intentional planning. Could you unpack that definition a bit more to help my confusion?
Thanks,
Bill Lewis
January 12th, 2010 at 3:31 am
You might be interested in the following site: http://sites.google.com/site/gospelbeyondbelief
January 12th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Thanks David…of course I applaud what you are doing!
Let me know how I can help.
Feel free to link to toddhunter.org and my book if it would be useful to you.
Peace,
Todd