The Transformation Plan

2009 September 15

by Tyler

Last week during The Nines webinar/conference Brian McLaren (not someone I usually get much from) said, “The Gospel is not an evacuation plan but a transformation plan.” It something that has stuck with me for a week.

Yesterday I was thinking about the difference between Western and Eastern Christianity theologies. We in the west are very good about recognizing the vast gap between man and God. I mean look at the title of my blog: “man of depravity.” The depravity of man is something that western theology believes in to the core. Eastern theology focuses more on God transforming man and the subsequent unity that man and God experience in relationship.

American Christianity focuses a lot on the gospel being an evacuation plan; when everything falls a part we have the way for you to get to safety (heaven). We are depraved, there exists a large gap between us and God, so we need a way to be evacuated from our decrepit state.

But I think a good understanding of the gospel also realizes that it is a transformation plan. Jesus in the “The Lord’s Prayer” says “on earth as it is in heaven.” God has transformed us to be able to experience unity with him, so in turn we bless the earth in order that they might experience the same thing.

Not many pastors are preaching on that though.

Filed under: church Tags: Christianity, theology

http://iamlivingproof.org/ Joseph Louthan

We are more than being saved from something.

We are being saved to God.

That is the gospel.

Anything else is a means to an end whereas Christ the beginning, means and end to it all.

You wrote:
“Not many pastors are preaching on that though.”

We know this. It is tragic.

But if I am called to speaking out of my mouth to an audience of greater than zero, then I must proclaim that the gospel of God.
http://seekingafter.blogspot.com/ Bubba

Tyler,
I missed out on most of The Nines last week. Thanks for unearthing this gem from McLaren. I probably wouldn’t have caught it. The message of transformation seems mostly non-existent in most of the mainstream churches and congregations I’ve been a part of. I’ve been having more and more “Aha!” moments about how salvation is for me, but not about me.

It’s not just so I can HAVE something. It is so I can DO something. And not something for “the church”, but something for “The Church.”

@Joseph – very nicely put “I must proclaim the gospel of God”

Thanks for the reminders this morning.

Peace,
Bubba
Benjamin Davis

@tylerbraun… I have been reading a lot of your stuff and I like. I caught McLaren’s gem too, prompted me to go grab his book.

I think you make a good point. I think thought there must be a balance of both. We are saved to Him, but begin the transformation process while we are here on earth.

Your thoughts?