A Wee-Little Gospel

“I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much—just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don’t want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don’t want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don’t want to love those from different races—especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars worth of gospel please.” (D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers, an exposition of Philippians), pp.12-13.

Once again sarcasm makes a great point and here even with a French-Canadian accent. Too often, in effort to maintain a semblance of autonomy, we become man-centered in our view of the gospel trying to mitigate the powerful transformation that comes through the God-centered gospel of Jesus. The gospel truly is radical. It makes radical sinners radical Christians.

Possibly Related posts:

1. I Would Like About $3 Worth of Gospel Please
2. D.A. Carson video on the Gospel (from the Gospel Coalition Conference)
3. The Gospel Coalition :: DA Carson
4. Some thoughts on The Gospel Coalition Conference
5. Gospel Alarms

3 Responses to “A Wee-Little Gospel”

1. The Fudge says:

   June 27, 2007 at 9:28 pm

   I love D.A. Carson. I can just picture him saying that. So cutting and right to the point. Makes you laugh at yourself and be ashamed at once.
2. Nath @ Reformed Geek says:

   June 28, 2007 at 3:54 am

   “It makes radical sinners radical Christians”

   Is that an Irish original? I love it!
3. erik raymond says:

   June 28, 2007 at 8:15 am

   Nath, yes but, c’mon, it is totally derivative of The Donald’s great quote.