a Cross-Shaped Gospel---book review

I was recently asked by Moody Publishers to do a book review on "a Cross-Shaped Gospel: Reconciling Heaven and Earth" by Bryan Loritts. Bryan is the lead pastor of Fellowship Memphis-a multiethnic church that minsters in urban Memphis, Tennessee.

Bryan Loritts’s book a Cross Shaped Gospel presents for the church a vision for a big Gospel. A Cross-shaped Gospel has ten chapters that maintain momentum and keep your interest with unique and different ways the Gospel can be applied on the horizontal plane.

A Cross-Shaped Gospel explains how the Gospel should transform our lives in both our relationship to God and our relationships with people. In the introduction of the book Loritts points out that “Life is at its richest when we are living in close communion with God and loving our neighbors at the same time (p.10).

There is one example in the book of how we can be out of balance in our application of the Gospel’s horizontal and vertical dimensions. The sub-heading is titled, George Whitefield and the Gospel---here Whitefield’s bio is given as one of the greatest preachers of the Gospel in church history. It was said when Whitfield preached, the churches could not hold the people; so they would take to the fields. 

As the story goes; Loritts points out that Whitefield was a slave owner, but not only a slave owner he also fought to have slavery legalized in the state of Georgia. There are other examples in the book of how the Gospel’s horizontal transformative power has not always been realized throughout the history of the church.

On the positive side, Loritts gives us an example of how the Gospel’s horizontal powers worked in the life of the famous evangelist Billy Graham---Loritts gives us this great example on Page (19) “On March 15, 1953, just a few days into his crusade meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he [Billy Graham] personally removed the ropes that separated the black and white sections of the audience.”

Loritts goes to the New Testament to show how the Gospel transforms relationships by using the example of how the Jews and the Gentiles were united by the cross of Christ. We are also given the example of Jesus passing through Samaria and taking the time to talk to the non-Jewish Samaritan woman. We are also given insight into the relationship between Matthew (the tax collector) and Simon (the revolutionary). Matthew was the traitor, while Simon fought against those who Matthew aligned himself with (the Roman Government), but it was the power of the Gospel that brought these two totally opposite people together.

On page (30), Loritts notes that, “you can’t reach out without first reaching up,” we are then told that Loving God must be first and that loving our neighbor must be seen through the lens of our Love for God. In this light, Loritts makes a critique of our liberal churches today by noting, “The liberal church today might well be described a elevating the command to love our neighbor over the command to love God with the totality of our being” (p.34).

With all that being said---the most glaring weakness of the book is the lack of theological explanation on the vertical dimension of the cross. If one is looking to find any real solid teaching on Soteriology, justification by faith, sanctification of the believer, or any major doctrine, I would note that this book would not fill that need.

The reason I brought that topic into the review is because of the books title, a Cross-Shaped Gospel: Reconciling Heaven and Earth. While Loritts does note that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a matter of life and death importance to him, and he is careful and cognizant that many churches make an idol out of diversity, still the majority of the book by far concentrates on the horizontal dimensions of the Gospel, leaving the reader with a sense of vertigo.

Under the sub-heading The Gospel and Race on Page (72), Loritts uses Numbers 12:1-4 to show that God judged Aaron and Miriam for the sin of racism. I feel that Bryan Loritts took some interpretative liberty with this passage. While the passage (v.1) does say that Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite women---any solid interpretation would show at best that, that was if any, a pretext to the real reason for their attack on Moses.

We see the real reason for the attack in (v.2) “Has the Lord only spoken through Moses,” and then they said “He has also spoken through us.” Then we see God saying that there is only one mouth piece that I’ve been using and that is my servant Moses (vs. 6-8). The judgment of God came upon Miriam and Aaron because they questioned the authority of Moses, not because of any racism on Miriam or Aaron’s part.

I would recommend this book to all who need to feel the full weight of the Gospel. This book would make a great small group study tool; for it has the potential to act as a spring board into many fruitful discussions, but I would look for a seasoned small-group leader to guide the discussions.

Thank your Bryan Loritts for your front-line work in declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a culture that is heading the wrong way real fast.

God knows you

The other day I decided to take a personality test, and one of the better ones is The Jung Typology Test and  it  can be found on line and it's free---here is the link http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp.

The test consists of 72 yes or no questions and at the end of the test you are scored---the test really does a good job at assessing your strengths and weaknesses. You'll find yourself saying, wow that is me, wow how did they know that about me? Honestly and I'm not getting paid for the plug.

My formula type was the INFJ which stands for introverted, intuitive, feeling, judging. When you get your formula type there will be a percent with each letter, for instance for introverted I had a 44%.

The test will then give you a full description of your personality, even giving you your ideal career choices---great to let you junior and senior high kids take.

However, after taking the test a marvelous truth from the Scriptures came to me---in Psalm 139 David speaks about the fact that God knows everything about him, he says,  "You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away" (v.2).

David goes in in this Psalm and shows his appreciation to God when he says, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it" (v.14).

So, for the child of God we can rest in the knowledge that we are known by our God. Our Father knows us better than any personality test ever could, our God knows us better than we know ourselves. Trust in His understanding of you; trust in His Word (Bible) to give you the direction in your life that is best for you and that will bring glory to His Name.

Father, thank you for knowing us intimately. Thank you for caring for us. Thank you for calling us to be Your children, help us to live lives that bring glory and honor to Your holy name, Amen.

RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen (Matthew 28:6).

Romans 4:5 "And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."

This is what our savior did for us---he gave us HIS righteousness. As the book of Jonah declares "salvation is of the LORD."

 Halleluiah ! What a Savior.

Day with Caleb

Yesterday I had my day with Caleb (my five year old grandson), it was a great time as we put together a raised vegetable garden with a fence to keep the critters away. We filled the raised garden with a lot of good rich top soil, and even added some mushroom soil.

He was so excited as we put the fence up, he wanted to participate in every detail of the project. We then went to Lowe's to purchase some cold weather veggies: broccoli, romaine lettuce, red lettuce, and what they call butter crunch lettuce.

I was blessed to be able to spend the day with Caleb.

 Let me share one thought that was floating around in my mind the whole day that we were together---I was praying throughout the day, how can I introduce Christ to my lovely grandson? how can I introduce Godly principles? how can I during the natural flow and rhythm of the day interject Kingdom living?

As I look at this beautiful little boy, I know that he is a sinner ( Rom.3:23; Isaiah 53:6), I know that he needs to come into a "right relationship to God," I know that Caleb's heart is in a natural state of rebellion against God.

So my prayer is---just as we planted our veggies... with the care that we will provide for our veggies---we will water, cultivate the soil, feed them plant food, and then eventually see fruit---it is my desire that God will use me to do all I can to point Caleb to the One who can produce the fruit of salvation in his life.

God's love--He gave!

Lets make it simple today---I'll be watching my five year old grandson all day, so I have to plan a fishing adventure and we are going to make a raised garden. It seems that his motor goes from the time his feet hit the floor in the morning until he is forced to go to bed, but he keeps his pop-pop feeling young.









I would like to look at one of the most popular Bible verses in the Bible---you know the one that you always see in the end zone at football games and at various sporting events.

That verse is John 3:16, I would like to give you three things to think about during your busy day that will keep your mind focused on God.

1. God's great and all surpassing love for humanity---God is calling out His people from among all nations, peoples, and places.

2. Love is a verb---God's love moved in such a way that He gave us His Son, wow.

3. All may come to the Son---belief in the Son is the only way to inherit eternal life.

Let's sum up those three thoughts:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Out of step with God?

Have you ever felt out of step, out of rythm, or just not on the same page with God, and others?

We went to a friend's fiftieth birthday over the weekend and the theme was a hoedown, you know that  dosey doe stuff, well I'm truly a white boy, with absolutely no rhythm or moves. However, I did give it an honest chance, but I just could not "get it," so I meandered over to a corner of the barn where there was a heater and soaked up some heat.

Not being able to find "the rhythm" made me think how sometimes in our lives we get out of sync with God, which inevitably gets us out of sync with others. When God transforms our lives and brings us into proper relationship with Himself, we begin to experience right relationships with others.

The Gospel has both a vertical and a horizontal dimension to it; the gospel both transforms our relationship with God and man.

Take the time to read through  Psalm 119, and take note how many times we are to align our ways to God's ways. I'll do the first one for you---Happy are those people whose WAY is blameless---that is lining up our lifestyles to God's standard.

Here is Psalm 119---take the time to read, pray, and meditate on this beautiful Psalm.

Psalm 119

¹Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.  ²Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
 ³They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
 ⁴Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
 ⁵O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
 ⁶Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
 ⁷I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
 ⁸I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
 ⁹Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
 ¹⁰With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
 ¹¹Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
 ¹²Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
 ¹³With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
 ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
 ¹⁵I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
 ¹⁶I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
 ¹⁷Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
 ¹⁸Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
 ¹⁹I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
 ²⁰My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
 ²¹Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
 ²²Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
 ²³Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
 ²⁴Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
 ²⁵My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
 ²⁶I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
 ²⁷Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
 ²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
 ²⁹Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
 ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
 ³¹I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
 ³²I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
 ³³Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
 ³⁴Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
 ³⁵Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
 ³⁶Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
 ³⁷Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
 ³⁸Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
 ³⁹Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
 ⁴⁰Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
 ⁴¹Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
 ⁴²So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
 ⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
 ⁴⁴So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
 ⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
 ⁴⁶I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
 ⁴⁷And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
 ⁴⁸My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
 ⁴⁹Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
 ⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 ⁵¹The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
 ⁵²I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
 ⁵³Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
 ⁵⁴Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
 ⁵⁵I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
 ⁵⁶This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
 ⁵⁷Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
 ⁵⁸I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
 ⁵⁹I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
 ⁶⁰I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
 ⁶¹The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
 ⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
 ⁶³I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
 ⁶⁴The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
 ⁶⁵Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
 ⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
 ⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
 ⁶⁸Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
 ⁶⁹The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
 ⁷⁰Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
 ⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
 ⁷²The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
 ⁷³Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
 ⁷⁴They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
 ⁷⁵I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
 ⁷⁶Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
 ⁷⁷Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
 ⁷⁸Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
 ⁷⁹Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
 ⁸⁰Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
 ⁸¹My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
 ⁸²Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
 ⁸³For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
 ⁸⁴How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
 ⁸⁵The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
 ⁸⁶All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
 ⁸⁷They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
 ⁸⁸Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
 ⁸⁹For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
 ⁹⁰Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
 ⁹¹They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
 ⁹²Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
 ⁹³I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
 ⁹⁴I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
 ⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
 ⁹⁶I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
 ⁹⁷O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
 ⁹⁸Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
 ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
 ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
 ¹⁰¹I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
 ¹⁰²I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
 ¹⁰³How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
 ¹⁰⁴Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
 ¹⁰⁵Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
 ¹⁰⁶I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
 ¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
 ¹⁰⁸Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
 ¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
 ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
 ¹¹¹Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
 ¹¹²I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
 ¹¹³I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
 ¹¹⁴Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
 ¹¹⁵Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
 ¹¹⁶Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
 ¹¹⁷Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
 ¹¹⁸Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
 ¹¹⁹Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
 ¹²⁰My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
 ¹²¹I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
 ¹²²Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
 ¹²³Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
 ¹²⁴Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
 ¹²⁵I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
 ¹²⁶It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
 ¹²⁷Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
 ¹²⁸Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
 ¹²⁹Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
 ¹³⁰The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
 ¹³¹I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
 ¹³²Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
 ¹³³Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
 ¹³⁴Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
 ¹³⁵Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
 ¹³⁶Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
 ¹³⁷Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
 ¹³⁸Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
 ¹³⁹My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
 ¹⁴⁰Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
 ¹⁴¹I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
 ¹⁴²Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
 ¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
 ¹⁴⁴The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
 ¹⁴⁵I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
 ¹⁴⁶I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
 ¹⁴⁷I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
 ¹⁴⁸Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
 ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
 ¹⁵⁰They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
 ¹⁵¹Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
 ¹⁵²Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
 ¹⁵³Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
 ¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
 ¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
 ¹⁵⁶Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
 ¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
 ¹⁵⁸I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
 ¹⁵⁹Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
 ¹⁶⁰Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
 ¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
 ¹⁶²I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
 ¹⁶³I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
 ¹⁶⁴Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
 ¹⁶⁵Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
 ¹⁶⁶LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
 ¹⁶⁷My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
 ¹⁶⁸I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
 ¹⁶⁹Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
 ¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
 ¹⁷¹My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
 ¹⁷²My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
 ¹⁷³Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
 ¹⁷⁴I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
 ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
 ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.