Pure Church

Kevin DeYoung has a great post today reflecting on the "new" gospel and why it's chic. Here are the reasons Kevin gives for why this new gospel is so hot among some:

1. It is partially true..
2. It deals with strawmen.
3. The New Gospel leads people to believe wrong things without explicitly stating those wrong things.
4. It is manageable. The New Gospel meets people where they are and leaves them there.
5. The New Gospel is inspirational. This is what makes the message so appealing to young people in particular.
6. The New Gospel has no offense to it. This is why the message is so attractive.

Read the entire post here, including what's wrong with this new gospel.

Kevin DeYoung at the 9Marks blog:

One of the hardest things for any preacher to learn, especially young preachers, is to simply be yourself. Don’t put on someone else’s passion or humor or learning. And don’t take off your own personality because one of your heroes doesn’t share it exactly. Go ahead and learn from the best. But your congregation needs to hear you on Sunday, not an impression of the preacher you wish you were. Let your person constantly be refined by the Spirit of God, and let the truth of God’s word shine through your own personality. Preach as a dying man to dying men. And don’t forget to be your own man.

Read the entire, typically-Kevin (funny and insightful) post here.

This slipped by me. But visiting the T4G blog again is a treat because they're posting short interviews with some great guys:

Kevin DeYoung (here and here)
Anthony Carter (here and here)
Mike McKinley (here and here)

My favorite question is #8, "Which of the main T4G speakers could you take to the mat, so to speak?"

I've been really appreciating the writing ministry of Kevin DeYoung. He's a refreshing blend of insightful clarity, historical and theological helpfulness, and winsome style. You might enjoy the 9Marks interview with Kevin on the emergent church and other things, and Kevin and Ted Kluck's recent book, Why We Love the Church.

Kevin DeYoung links to a brief thought-provoking article in Comment Magazine that outlines four responses/camps to the Gospel and culture discussion. (Link Fixed) It's an interesting categorization, a couple of which seem to lie close to one another. Take a look and let me know where you think you may fall on this tension between gospel proclamation and engaging the culture.