The Real Gospel

For those who see this and have not a scintilla of interest in a post about Christianity, let me begin with a disclaimer. The Church of BuVu, this website, social media associated with this website: none are intended to be apologizing or evangelizing for Christianity.

That said, some, like myself, who have spent time as a practicing Christian at some point in our lives, may still be compelled by the words of Jesus … even if we haven’t entered the sanctuary of a church in decades, except when someone we know insists on having a wedding or funeral there.

As one of these “recovering Christians” I am dismayed, even angered, by what passes for “The Gospel” (the “GOOD News”) that’s being “preached” in many churches. The only “good news” is that fewer people, especially young people, are showing up to hear it. Thank God.

 

 
A few years ago I discovered Brennan Manning, a renegade Catholic priest. That is, a Catholic priest who got married, then divorced, who spent awhile as a near blackout, several-times-relapsed alcoholic, who understood shame and self-hatred because they were his shadow. He wrote several wonderful books, but the one I discovered was The Ragamuffin Gospel.

Then there’s this:

 

 
“I think it’s OK to tell this story. U2 came to New Orleans and played in the Superdome. Brennan Manning (The Ragamuffin Gospel, Signature of Jesus) was in New Orleans, so they looked him up because they had read his books. Edge [guitarist] said, “OK, Brennan, I have two questions for you.” I forget the first one. The second one was: “Can I glorify God by being the best rock guitarist I can be?” And Brennan said, “Absolutely you can. If that’s your calling, you can.” Phillip Yancey, author of Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News among many other books.

Anyway, for the curious or otherwise interested, here’s Brennan Manning’s description of The Real Gospel:

 

 
Cheers,
BuFoon Steve Gillard