Bryan Loritts, pastor of Fellowship Memphis, joined the Pastor's Circle to discuss his newest book, A Cross-Shaped Gospel. Below are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview.
Tell us about the idea behind A Cross-Shaped Gospel.
I use the image of the cross to depict the point that the Gospel is supposed to develop on two planes.
The vertical beam of the cross is the most important. It is rooted in the ground; the horizontal beam can't stand without it.
The vertical beam represents forgiveness of sins and our relationship with God.
The horizontal beam rests upon the vertical. This represents our reconciliation with other people.
Because we are reconciled with God we can be reconciled with other people.
You have a different take on George Whitfield. Tell us about that.
I was shocked to find out about this man who was a great evangelist. I believe he loved Jesus, but he was influential in causing slavery to be legalized in Georgia.
Every generation has its blind spots. In Whitefield's day it was slavery. In our day it is materialism.
The example of Whitfield demonstrates the fact that Christians can often separate the vertical aspect of the Gospel from the horizontal.
While Whitfield was one of the few in his day who would preach to slaves, he did not do anything to use his influence to alleviate the social condition of those slaves.
He had made the Gospel into something that was entirely "spiritual" or vertical.
Why do we compartmentalize the Gospel like that?
Our church is currently renting a facility and each week we have to set up everything for service. Afterward we have to move all of our things out again.
We have a very large, very heavy cross that sits upon the platform. We were discussing how we could streamline the process of moving each week and someone brought up the idea of building a lighter cross.
It really hit me then that, spiritually speaking, we all want a cross that is light and convenient that doesn't cause a problem. We don't like to be made uncomfortable.
You mention generational sins, materialism, abortion.
I wholeheartedly agree, abortion is a major civil rights issue. This is not a political issue, it is a kingdom of God issue. We need to find ways to be involved.
I think racism does continue though. It is not just institutional, but it is an issue of the heart.
While the civil rights movement was successful in changing laws, it could not change hearts.
Every ethnic group has its problem of racism. We need to lean on the grace of God. Our identity is in Christ and Christ alone.
You state that discomfort is an essential part of being a Christian. Could you explain that?
Jesus says take up your cross and follow. The cross is uncomfortable. The Gospel calls us to disadvantage ourselves for the sake of others.
Jesus, in the Incarnation, humbles himself in the form of the servant - he models for us a life of discomfort.
The disciples for the most part died uncomfortably. Discomfort is the recipe for growth.
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