What can we do to promote the Gospel of Matthew?

[carnie_sf]

It seems to me that one antidote to rampant "fundieism" would to get the Gospel of Matthew into more of a public view. In particular the 7th chapter where Jesus says "Many will come to me on that day crying Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers." Also in the same chapter Jesus says "Watch out for false prophets, they come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. ... A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus by their fruit you will recognize them." This is certainly much different than the dogma of cheap grace and dispensationalism that passes for much of modern christiian theology. I believe that the wide dissemination of the writings of Paul to the exclusion of the gospels (particularly Matthew) along with an over-reliance on the Old Testament (which the new covenant supposedly supplanted) is in large part responsible for the heresy that is modern "christianity". My question to the group is this: How can we promote a more gospel based christianity? What specific actions can be taken? Any and all thoughts on this are welcome.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Question the motives of the TV preachers

for example, when Dobson comes out and says he's going after Dems who don't vote for RW judges, write and ask him what he's doing to help the poor, the children, the sick, or the homeless. Quote the Beatitutdes. Above all, be sincere in your questions. Make sure you hammer home the points that you are interested in following the teachings of Christ.

[carnie_sf]

2. Thank you

this is the type of thing I am looking for

[saltpoint]

3. I would rely on non-Biblical texts instead of ---

-- the New Testament.

The New Testament is a mess. It's just a hell of a mess. other texts lift the human spirit more -- and better.

Jesus himself did not have a "gospel" ministry as we understand it today. Why does anyone else need one to be a better person or to do good?

[classof56]

4. Well, if you don't mind me sharing something...

Here is in part my response to the Committee to Save Christmas, a group that advocates boycotting retailers who put "Happy Holidays" signs in their stores and ads, rather than "Merry Christmas":

"What a great idea you folks have. Let's just destroy business, put hard-working employees out of work and in the process, show people the true meaning of Christmas--merchandising! I'm sure that's what God had in mind when He sent His son to earth with His message of love, forgiveness, compassion before He was crucified and resurrected. Do you really think that boycotting retailers is the way to bring people to Christ, spread the gospel and show the way of salvation?"

I ended my diatribe with: "God bless you as you focus on bringing truth, love and the message of Christ's salvation to an unbelieving world."

Yeah, I know this was pretty heavy-handed, but I'm so tired of all this BS being tossed around by so-called "fundamentalists" who are, in my opinion, turning people off to the gospel in droves. I of course agree with you that we must attempt to promote a more gospel-based Christianity. Guess a good way would be one-on-one communication. I'll try to be a better person and make that happen through showing Christ's love to those around me. Even the Committee to Save Christmas!

"Wisdom is proved right by her actions." Jesus, Matthew 11:19

[carnie_sf]

7. Right, right

this is exactly what I'm thinking of. People need to be reminded that actions count too. "Faith without works is dead."

[Tace]

5. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

Matthew Chapter 7, Verse 12.

This "Golden Rule" is the essence of Christianity, and is found in the scriptures of the world's great religions. The universality of this concept in world culture transcends any of our differences.

Confucianism: Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state.
Analects 12:2

Buddhism: Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
Udana-Varga 5,1

Hinduism: This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.
Mahabharata 5,1517

Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Sunnah

More: http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html

[tuvor]

11. Thanks for that. n/t

[imenja]

6. Paul was the favored gospel of slaveholders

Masters used it to justify bondage and to instill subservience among slaves. Many enslaved ministers, for their part, preferred Exodus.

Funny that Paul is still so popular among conservatives.

[carnie_sf]

8. The really funny thing is

that there is no "Gospel of Paul" since Paul never kenw Jesus, having come to Christianity after Jesus' ascension. BTW I'm not capping on your post since your point re conservatives and Paul is valid and important imho

[saltpoint]

9. Have you by chance read A.N. Wilson's --

-- JESUS book?

It's exceptional.

One of the chapters in it deals with the possibility that Paul did in fact meet Jesus.

It is not intended as a provocative assertion, but as a more imaginative reading of the New Testament.

[NurseLefty]

10. And what about the Gospel of Thomas?

Which was deliberately omitted from early scripture B/C it portrayed Jesus in a light that wasn't favored. (Pro-woman, introspectiveness)
I read the Thomas Gospel several years ago and was blown away by it. Christianity might have been so much gentler thru history had it become part of the Bible.

[carnie_sf]

12. I'm with you on that

One of the more influential books in my religious thinking has been the Gospel according to Jesus by Stephen Mitchell. Mitchell follows Jefferson's example of extracting only those things actually attributed to Jesus. It makes for a profound dichotomy between what the fundies would have us believe (including RC fundies) and what can actually be gleaned from the bible.

[imenja]

13. Weren't there several others omitted as well?

Besides the Gospel of Thomas?

[wildflower]

14. What about a Sunday show on Air America?

A friend suggested this to me and I thought it was a good idea. It could be on at the same time as "The Hour of Power" and some of these other Sunday-worship TV shows, but feature a liberal minister.

Do you think listeners would go for this?

And how about a TV show?

-wildflower

[carnie_sf]

15. Also a good idea

One of the ways the RW "christians" have us beat is in their mass appeal broadcasting.