Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Today's Gospel

"We used to think that the good news of the gospel was that sinners could be saved, or salvaged, from the wreckage of original and personal sin. Today, it seems, there is a new focus. In the old gospel, the problem was, 'How does a holy God accept sinners?' For the new one, the problem appears to be, 'How do basically good people accept themselves?'"


from Made in America by Michael Horton

1 comment:

case.jess said...

Todd,

This post reminds me of the SNL skit with Stuart Smalley. Every episode I remember would go something like this...

Stuart Smalley opens the show by saying something to the effect of:
I deserve good things. I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am attractive person. I am fun to be with.

I'm going to do a terrific show today! And I'm gonna help people! Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!

(After some hilarious ramblings, a spike in Stuart's emotions, followed by a rapid plunge shortly thereafter...we get this line: a "new gospel" line.)

Stuart Smalley: You know what? I think this is the best show I've ever done. And you know what? I deserve it! [ turns to his mirror ] Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!