#110 - A More Christlike God (Chp 14 - The Gospel in Chairs)
In "A More Christlike God," Bradley Jersak uses the "Gospel in Chairs" illustration to effectively communicate the difference between a traditional, punitive understanding of the Gospel and a more Christlike, relational approach. This powerful analogy involves two chairs representing different views of the Gospel.
In the first chair, labeled the "Traditional Gospel," a person represents humanity, and another person represents Jesus. Between them, there is a gulf symbolizing the divide between humanity and God due to sin. In this view, Jesus' role is to bridge that gap through his death on the cross, satisfying God's wrath and judgment. This portrayal emphasizes the legalistic and punitive aspects of the Gospel, focusing on humanity's sinfulness and the necessity of appeasing an angry God.
In the second chair, labeled the "Christlike Gospel," a person again represents humanity, but this time, another person represents God the Father. In this illustration, the Father approaches the person, showing no distance or separation between them. Instead of focusing on the wrath of God, this portrayal emphasizes God's unchanging love, mercy, and desire for relationship with humanity. Jesus' role in the Christlike Gospel is to reveal God's true character, demonstrating his unconditional love and forgiveness.
The "Gospel in Chairs" example effectively illustrates the stark contrast between the traditional, punitive understanding of the Gospel and a more Christlike, relational approach. By emphasizing God's unwavering love and desire for relationship with humanity, the Christlike Gospel offers a more beautiful and transformative message that is consistent with the life and teachings of Jesus.
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