Tonight, I just want to share an old Chinese parable as retold by author Sahil Bloom:
A minister approached the king and asked, "If one person came to you and claimed there was a tiger in the marketplace, would you believe it?"
The king replied, "No, of course not."
The minister continued, "What if two people claimed there was a tiger in the marketplace?"
The king paused and said, "I might begin to have some doubt."
Finally, the minister asked, "And what if three people all insisted there was a tiger in the marketplace?"
The king responded, "If three people claimed it, I would believe there’s a tiger."
The minister concluded, "Your Majesty, there is no tiger in the marketplace, yet with enough voices, even the most absurd claim can seem true."
This is a good lesson to keep in mind whenever you hear a preacher repeat illustrations, analogies, and even theological propositions that they have heard from other preachers or seminary professors.
This is on my mind because I watched a few clips from a documentary made about 5 years ago, American Gospel: Christ Alone.
Nowhere does it identify itself as Calvinist propaganda, but that is what the movie is.
As a whole, apparently, it takes aim at the "prosperity gospel" and I'm all for that. But what is held up as the proper gospel in its stead?
None other than Penal Substitutionary Atonement:
Propelled by an unwavering devotion to "justice", the Father has to "pour out His wrath" and inflict punishment on His own Son as our substitute in order to forgive us.
Having 50 men repeat that lie on camera for 2 hours straight just might convince some people there's a tiger in the marketplace.
Hopefully not too many.
I was pleasantly surprised - and a bit amused - to find that I could not watch the whole documentary because it is behind a paywall!
Apparently, sharing the gospel is out and selling the gospel is in.
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