American Kerygma: Jesus' Gospel vs. the American Kerygma
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There is a question that befuddles believers and unbelievers alike, “What is the gospel?”
Pastor Bob Beaver of Christian Church of San Angelo was the first person I ever heard say, “That’s not the gospel.” I was in the middle of personal crisis and mental health problems, and the best help he offered me was identifying the root cause of my trouble. I was trusting in something that was not the “Power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). He was the first person I clearly remember to tell me exactly what Jesus’ main message is.
The first century church had a word for this message. Kerygma. Kerygma means “message” or “proclamation.” Everyone has something to proclaim. We all have a message. Corporations spend millions of dollars making sure you hear their message as they intended. Everyone has a kerygma. We are left to answer the questions of which kerygma we will trust to answer life’s biggest struggles and which kerygma will we decide to spread.
Americans spread many messages with the “Jesus” label. But as I sat in Bob’s living room, I had to confront the possibility that what I had believed was Christian in name only.
As I laid out the evidence of my good works to build my case for my place in heaven, Bob confronted not only my evidence, but the conclusion I was trying to prove. Not only are works insufficient to buy our golden ticket to a golden afterlife, but the afterlife wasn’t even the main point. He told me, “A redeemed mind does not think that way.” I was even more offended when I discovered that he wasn’t even talking about my mental health problems. Praise God, he was right.
I had grown up in church. I was there almost every time the doors were open. I was that weird kid who actually liked church. (Mainly because it was one of the few venues where I didn’t have to do any work ahead of time in order to perform and seem impressive to people around me.) Assuming I missed church an average of five Sundays and five Wednesday per year for 21 years, I spent 5,922 hours in church before I spent one hour in Bob’s living room. I am certain faith alone in Jesus and his finished work was preached several times. It may have gone into my ears, but it was the exception to what I heard. The overwhelming message I heard growing up was the American Kerygma, not Jesus’ Kerygma.
The American Kerygma is morality. Jesus’ Kerygma is righteousness. The American Kerygma offers condemnation in response to failing the standard. Jesus’ Kerygma offers grace and restoration.
The American Kerygma promotes unity with the world that is decaying and growing more and more corrupt. Jesus’ Kerygma offers unity with God himself, who is eternal.
The American Kerygma peddles prosperity and comfort. Jesus’ Kerygma promises suffering.
The American Kerygma values strength. Jesus’ Kerygma venerates weakness.
The American Kerygma puffs up. Jesus’ Kerygma builds up.
The American Kerygma bolsters self-love. Jesus’ Kerygma insists on love of others.
The American Kerygma evaluates works and outward appearances. Jesus’ Kerygma operates on faith and faith alone “apart from any work of the law” (Romans 3:28).
So, the message overwhelmingly spread by the American Church — whether in word or in deed — is diametrically opposed to the kerygma of Jesus. The problem is compounded by the fact that though many have believed Jesus’ Kerygma, my own brothers and sisters in Christ have spread the American Kerygma. The message they believed is not the one they spread.
Jesus’ message, his Kerygma, was this: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
The North American Church is not dying because it doesn’t have anything to offer in the 21st century. It’s dying because it isn’t giving what it does have. The gospel is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), and too often, we get it wrong. If you have never believed the gospel, turn and trust Jesus now. If you have, let us choose together to spread Jesus’ Kerygma instead of the American Kerygma.