“I am convinced that few, if any, people joined the early Christian community because they were attracted by some new abstract theology. Nor do I think they were looking for a way to get their sins forgiven so that they could get into heaven. I think that they were attracted by a new way of living with others in this world. They were attracted by a new dispensation and new way of doing life with others in Jesus name; a way of life together that brought hope and healing amid the brokenness and injustice that sin had wrought. They joined because, amidst the old tottering kingdoms of the world, they glimpsed in Jesus and his followers that the kingdom of God was a hand. Concrete, down to earth, in the flesh, everyday,good news.”
