The hike started to take a turn for the worse. We had reached the summit of the mountain and we were on our way back when we discovered an avalanche had cut off the path home. The sun was starting to set and jack, our guide, confirmed our fears that the moans in the distance were indeed bears. Jack lead us to the opening of an abandoned mine. "this is going to be our only way out" he suggested "I've never been down inside but it might lead out somewhere pass the bears". A few decided to stay at the mouth of the mine most of us followed jack. The mine shafts got narrower and narrower. Some of the lager and more claustrophobic in the group stopped to see if we would come back after hitting a dead end. The rest of use winded our way single file through the mine until we came to a small hole where we could hear running water below. The opening was big enough for one and the ledge below was big enough for just two. The stream was going to go somewhere and it was big enough to for someone to swim in you just needed gills to breath until you found air somewhere. Jack turned to the hiker who had gone down with him and said he was going to swim. Through and see where it went. A while went by went by until jack resurfaced "it gets us out just take a deep breath and follow me. Don't try and come back though you'll probably drown and block the path for everyone else." So jack left then a second hiker got down on the ledge with the first hiker. By the time I got there this story had been relayed to me by at least a dozen people. As it was my time to relay the story back to the person behind me. I wondered why I was believing it could everyone be just going to there death? I held my breath but my faith in jack and swam believing life would greet me on the other side.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Atonement Alternative
I've often written critically about atonement illustrations like Nicky Gumbell's Nazi camp story. So I thought it was time to write an alternative illustration. Of course like other illustrations it doesn't capture the entire gospel it just captures one aspect.
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6 comments:
I would never use Nicky Gumbell as an example for Christian living. If I am not mistaken Nicky is the founder or one of the founders of the Alpha Course, which is a poor presentation and introduction of the Gospel to the unbeliever. First of all the name "Alpha" is wrong as the God of Creation in the creation narrative is never mentioned. Secondly, Nicky fails to deal with the fact that we are lost sinners in desperate need of the Saviour, Jesus Christ with the repentant heart that would be required on the sinners part. And thirdly, Nicky gives us a charismatic understanding of the Holy Spirit that is not biblical in the Alpha Course. So no, Nicky Gumbell's teaching is to be avoided like the plague. Maurice Harting @ mauriceharting@yahoo.ca
Hi Maurice,
Nicky Gumbell is the founder of the Alpha Course. I don't know what you mean by "First of all the name "Alpha" is wrong as the God of Creation in the creation narrative is never mentioned." I think the name Alpha refers to a starting point with the Christian faith rather than a name for God. Having done the Alpha course I do think Nicky does deal adequately with "the fact that we are lost sinners in desperate need of the Saviour, Jesus Christ with the repentant heart that would be required on the sinners part". I'll agree that he has a more charismatic understanding of the Holy Spirit but to be fair it's about half way between standard evangelical and standard charismatic positions.
Hey thanks Chris, I reckon that's probably one of the best ways of combating the sheer bulk of violent-atonement narratives out there: Write some others!
Like any story, it's helpful in getting my head around some of the concepts. Geoff gave a helpful abstract a while back: http://geoffwestlake.com/2010/05/12/jesus-gift/
... which merely gives me a whole world of learning and reading (:
I don't like to nitpick these days, but the grammar did start to get in the way of reading the story. Perhaps a certain schoolteacher could be your proof-reader before you publish your many forthcoming narratives in a decisive career-making move (:
Thanks Greg,
I'll get around to grammar reading it and fixing it up one day.
Chris, unfortunately the word "Alpha" in the Bible does not refer to the starting point of a Christian, but is one of the names for God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And How our Alpha God started in the Bible is with the creation story in which it states: "In the beginning God ...". And that my friend Nicky Gumble and the Alpha course critically leave out in their bad teaching.
Chris, unfortunately the word "Alpha" in the Bible does not refer to the starting point of a Christian, but is one of the names for God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And How our Alpha God started in the Bible is with the creation story in which it states: "In the beginning God ...". And that my friend Nicky Gumble and the Alpha course critically leave out in their bad teaching.
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