What does Evangelical mean?

I just read Rob Bell's explanation to the roots of the word Evangelical.

A bit of history: the word evangelical comes from the Roman Empire propaganda machine - it was an announcement proclaiming Caesar is Lord.

The first Christians took the phrase and tweaked it, saying "Jesus is Lord." That, of course, could get you killed. No one challenges Caesar.

To confess Jesus is Lord was to insist that peace does not come to earth through coercive violence but through sacrificial love.

That is still the question, is it not? Whose way? Jesus or Caesar? Power and might and domination - or bloody, thirsty, hanging on a cross?

http://twitter.com/realrobbell

Unfortunately I failed at confirming this original meaning with a google search.

Urban Dictionary confirms that most people don't know what the word means. It is used in a wide range of meanings, ranging from political to denominational groupings. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=evangelical

I understand Evangelical comes from the greek evangelion, which means good news, or gospel.

And what did Jesus mean when He preached the good news of the kingdom of God? That He was King, and we could live under His reign now and into eternity.

Which I guess is very similar to saying "Jesus is Lord".

So everyone who professes that "Jesus is Lord" or "Jesus Reigns" (not just in words, but in actions) is 'evangelical'?

Rob Bell - Sunday

What's more important to God? Us following some rituals? Or Our hearts?

Doing rituals can be OK, but let's not confuse religion with having a heart relationship with God.

Playdough Scripture Isaiah 66:22-24

"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD. "And they will go out and look upon the dead eternally tormented bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

Isaiah 66:22-24 (Playdough Version)

The Hour The Shack

I enjoy The Hour show - one of Canada's best, and enjoyed The Shack Book... so have to post this video here.

Don't follow me

If you want, you can follow this blog by clicking the 'follow' button near the bottom of the left menu.

However please don't follow me.

One thing I'm almost certain of is that nobody has it all figured out. I'm pretty sure every great theologian, every denomination, and every influential speaker even gets it wrong quite frequently.

Or maybe I'm wrong and it's just me not being able to recognize which of the 1000's of voices is 100% true.

Well... actually I think I am starting to recognize that one voice that is 100% truth, but I'm not always listening, and not capable of understanding it all yet.

Anyways, of the earthly voices, I don't think any of them speak 100% truth.

And neither am I... I don't have it all figured out.

In summary:

• "follow my blog" - Jon
• "Please don't follow me, maybe nothing I say here is true (even this?) :)" - Jon
• "Follow me" - Jesus

Playdough Scripture James 2:17-18

"In the same way, faith by itself, is all you need - justification by faith alone! if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."

James 2:17-18 (Playdough Version)