Chap. 23: Forgiving in Jesus
The Jesus Creed expands forgiveness. Their is almost no talk of forgiveness in the OT and just one example of it.
A "GOD THING" AND A "REPENTANCE THING". In the OT forgiveness is something God does. After all, only he can really forgive. And, generally repentance is a precondition for forgiveness. The OT was more concerned about justice while in the NT forgiveness is an act of grace.
THE PREEMPTIVE STRIKE OF FORGIVENESS. In the NT, there does seem to precondition to getting forgiveness—we are commanded to forgive others.
FROM YOM KIPPUR TO FORGIVENESS SUNDAY. The story of the Orthodox tradition of a public forgiveness on a Sunday before lent.
DISTINGUISHING SORTS OF FORGIVENESS. "C. S. Lewis once said, “Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.” Hard questions about forgiveness. How do we go about forgiving others?
FORGIVING OTHERS.
- The victim confronts the offense and offender's responsibility.
- The victim recognizes the impact.
- The victim chooses to pursue (objective) forgiveness. The victim needs to decide to "get over it."
- The victim strives for justifiable reconciliation.
- Forgiveness creates an alternative reality: those who forgive unleash a flow of love for others.
Chap. 24: Reaching Out in Jesus
There are 90,000 new Christians a day, mostly non-white.
THE ORIGINS OF MISSIONARY WORK. Jesus regular called his disciples to fish for others.
FROM JESUS TO OTHERS. Jesus gives the disciples clear instructions on what to do in Matthew 11. Our task as disciples is to reach out to others with the mission of Jesus.
TEACHING JESUS IS REACHING OUT. The story of teaching Jesus at North Park.
FROM VILLAGE-TO-VILLAGE TO SEEKER GROUPS. "The Anglican leader and evangelist Michael Green cuts through church cant: 'God’s church exists not for itself but for the benefit of those who are not yet members. . . . [and] the church which lives for itself will be sure to die by itself.' ” The story of Gary Poole.
Quotes from Mcknight, Scot (2009-10-01). Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others (p. 224). Paraclete Press. Kindle Edition.