My book: I need your help

My book: I need your help 2014-07-17T14:28:11-05:00

It’s time to start writing my first book. As many of you know, I had a very powerful spiritual encounter four years ago that permanently stamped Matthew 9:13 on my soul, where Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Go and find out what this means: ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice.'” I have become increasingly convinced that Matthew 9:13 is what Jesus would say to the American evangelical church today. We are in need of some major corrections in our theology which has gotten muddled through its oversimplification and popularization. Two springs ago, I took a retreat at Camp Highroad and came up with a series of “This not that” statements, starting with “mercy not sacrifice,” thinking that they would comprise the chapters of my first theology book. They have evolved and marinated since then. Now I have twenty. I have paired each “This not that” with a question. I’m not sure if the question is phrased right or if the pairings are right. I’m not sure what order to put them in. Some may be redundant and unnecessary, or I might not be covering a topic that is critically important. That’s why I need you to help me. Because I honestly believe that God is going to speak through you. So please look at my twenty prospective chapters below and give me your feedback on the pairings and questions I have create. Also if you have thoughts on other Christian writers I should read and utilize for any chapters, please share those.

Mercy not sacrifice How do we love our neighbor?
Worship not performance How do we love God?
Trust not opinion What makes us righteous?
Kingdom not stadium What are we building?
Servanthood not leadership Who is in charge?
Deliverance not punishment Why did Jesus die?
Mystery not certitude What can we know?
Emancipation not conquest Why do we share the gospel?
Gift not reward What is God’s grace?
Journey not decision How does salvation transpire?
Weakness not power How does Jesus reign?
Restoration not escape What is God’s goal for creation?
Awe not fright How do we fear God?
Cross not sword How does God conquer?
Instigator not dominitrax How does God intervene?
Communion not correctness What is God’s goal for humanity?
Samaritan not Pharisee Who are the best disciples?
Beauty not fascism What is God’s glory?
Inversion not privilege Who does God pick?
Empathy not sanctimony Why does God judge?

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