What’s the Least? 4

Martin Thielen’s new well-written and pastorally-sensitive book, What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?: A Guide to What Matters Most., discusses what is most central — and necessary — for being a Christian. (For how to use this book in the church, see this site.)

Last week we examined his top five, and this week we finish off with the remainder of his list.

Any final thoughts on Thielen’s proposals?

Here are what remains in his list of essential things:

6. Jesus’ Death: what about suffering? God enters into human suffering in the cross, shares it and redeems our sin-caused suffering.

7. Jesus’ Resurrection: is there hope? Yes, hope both for life and for death.

8. Jesus’ Legacy: is the church still relevant? in spite of its flaws, the church remains God’s work in the world and every Christian needs to belong to one.

9. Jesus’ Promise: who is the Holy Spirit? God’s empowering presence in our lives, in the life of the church, and in the world.

10. Jesus’ Vision: What is God’s dream for the world? the kingdom of God. And we are called to help make that dream a reality.

11. Final point: Do mainliners believe in getting saved? Yes. Three affirmations: Salvation is lifelong; salvation is by God’s grace; it requires human response. Three steps: God’s prevenient grace; God’s justifying grace; God’s sanctifying grace. Thielen includes a prayer for salvation.