If the Gospel stops at "Salvation through Faith", is that enough? I am beinning to agree with Brian McLaren's friend in the "hot and sour soup discussion" (see "the Secret Message of Jesus" pg 91) that the Gospel is more than this (however awesome it is!). What it really comes down to is that the jist of the Gospel is "The Kindom is at hand"! This, I believe, entails so much more than future everlasting life. This means everlasting life NOW! Without this thought, can true compassion and Christian living be possible? If The Kingdom is truly "at hand", our goal becomes much more immediate; our purpose becomes much clearer and important, namely, to help discover and reveal, strengthen and expand this NOW present Kingdom of God! If that is truly the Gospel, I want to play my role.
