Though I used to preach and teach it, I am not a big fan of the idea that “People’s greatest need is salvation.” Often, churches, pastors, and ministries which say this are just trying to justify their lack of involvement with loving and serving others. We seem to think that if we can fix their eternal problem, then no matter how bad life is, everything will be okay.
But I don’t think this is the true Gospel message.
Far too often, Christians put off until eternity what should be done today. We see people in pain, suffering, and oppression crying out for help, and our normal response is, “Believe in Jesus for eternal life. Then, when you die, everything will be okay. God will wipe away your tears, right the wrongs, and judge those who are hurting you. Won’t that be grand?”
And when they reject our gracious offer because we have nothing to offer them here and now for their suffering on earth, we consign them to eternal suffering in hell for their rejection of Jesus. When we refuse to help others with their physical needs because their greatest need is eternal life, the “Good News” message that many people hear is, “Your suffering in this life at the hands of wicked men will be followed by suffering in eternity at the hands of a loving God.”
Is it any wonder that people reject the “Good News” when there seems to be nothing good about it?
So what is man’s greatest need? Also, without some specific examples, this sounds like a straw man.
Scott,
This is actually a few paragraphs pulled out of a book I am writing on the church, so yes, by itself, the paragraphs are lacking. But the surrounding context contains some examples and further argumentation.
Great post, Jeremy! Your view is also shared by N.T. Wright in his book “Surprised By Hope: Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and The Mission Of The Church.”
David,
Yes, I think I read that book a year back or so. Some of it must have rubbed off.
“Few people are interested in a religion that has nothing to say to the world and offers them only life after death, when what people are really wondering is whether there is life before death.”
(Shane Claiborne)
Greg,
Wow! What a quote! Where did that come from? Irresistible Revolution?
Is the “Not”, “But” chart yours? If it is, is it from 2007 or 2012?
How people define “salvation” affects their view on this issue. At first glance, the “definition” might seem obvious, but it is usually anything but obvious, as in “here are the ninety seven things that are part of salvation” (according to our church).
We have some thought on completing “People’s Greatest Need is….”. but do not want to get ahead of you here.
Sam,
No, that chart is not mine (thankfully). I wasn’t quite that bad. But close!
The term “salvation” is definitely slippery, and I am convinced that it the Bible means something different with it than most of the ways it is used today.
Two thoughts: Maybe our greatest need is to be truly loved warts and all. This is the greatest gift given to me by Jesus and by the Jesus-with-skin-on people in my world. To be truly loved no matter my mess or who’s “fault” it is. I want to be that kind of person, too.
Or maybe our greatest need is as simple as pain relief in the here and now. The whole offer of a cup of water thing. While it does not make everything right or fair or even change the circumstances, it gives a moment of relief in an otherwise hopeless place. (credit must be given to Kathy for starting me thinking on this idea)
Looking forward to where you are headed with this one.
Charity,
Yes, He loves us no matter what. It is important to recognize too, that he does not love “some future version of us” as if he “kind of” loves us now, but if we would only fix A, B, C and change D, E, and F in our lives, THEN he would REALLY love us. No, he knows all, sees all, and still loves us completely and perfectly, just as we are.
Jeremy – Yes, Irresistible Revolution. Great book.
The greatest need is Love, since Love is Christ. And since we are to be His Body, we should give everyone each other.
Brian,
That’s a great way of putting it!
Hey great post, really love the way you put it. I can learn a lot from it. Last time I had a dream about this subject where I was preaching a message but I did not want to use the same old crap for salvation. I am sorry that I forgot about how I solved this in my dream, should have written it down on a piece of paper.
Any way I singed up for your newsletter but never got the ebook “The Lie” Can you sent it to me please.
Taco.
Taco,
Did you get it yet? There should have been a download link in one of the confirmation emails that was sent to you. I’ll send the link to your email.
Sorry for my late reply but I have got it now 😉
Our church, when working amongst the poor, talks of ‘soup, soap and salvation’… and it’s important to get the order right
(Which is still somewhat lacking, but is better than the alternative, which insisted on putting the salvation part first!)
Your from salvation army church? I work for salvation army in the Netherlands, but it has noting to do with salvation over here, sorry to see that. This all happened since government sponsored the work. Also I am not form the salvation army church. There is not much left of them over here.
I don’t attend a church building anyway. Go here and there to visit brothers and sisters in the faith and have fellowship.
Soap, soup, salvation. I like that! Catchy, memorable, and helpful!
Thaks, Greg! Yours is athought provoking piece as always.
While I suspect you agree with synergistic balance in doing evangelism and good works, it does not come through in what you say in your book abstract from your new e-book above.
So, I cannot agree with you, my Brother, and I’ll say what I feel we both believe the “whole Word” says!
It’s not either or but both …because Hell is awful and real plus Jesus Followers are created by God to do “good works”!
We can know this because it says so in the Bible at http://diigo.com/0jisc and at http://diigo.com/0n20e .
Blessings!
Regarding: “Few people are interested in a religion that has nothing to say to the world and offers them only life after death, when what people are really wondering is whether there is life before death.”
In John 17:3 Jesus says “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
My understanding is that eternal life starts here and that Jesus is our life (Colossians 3:4).
I agree that eternal life begins here and now. I think that many people do not know or understand this.