Reframing The Way We See and Talk About Jesus - w/ Alan Hirsch and Mark Nelson

7 snips

Sep 16, 2019

Guest

Mark Nelson

Guest

Alan Hirsch

Alan Hirsch, a missional thinker and author, and Mark Nelson, a pastor and co-author, delve into the importance of reframing our understanding of God and the gospel. They argue that the evangelical church has shrunk its view of God to mere doctrine, losing the awe and mystery inherent in faith. Their discussion touches upon the dangers of reductionism, the need for imaginative engagement with culture, and the call to expand gospel perspectives beyond guilt to inclusivity. With insights on restoring wonder and embracing diverse voices, they offer a vibrant blueprint for church renewal.

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INSIGHT

The Gospel Should Astonish

A shrunken gospel produces bland, mediocrity-friendly Christianity that won't transform lives.
Mark Nelson says the gospel should be explosive and life-altering, not 'tofu' that soaks up its surroundings.

ADVICE

Recover Wonder Through Contemplation

Regain mystery by practicing prayer, contemplation, and time in God's presence.
Alan Hirsch urges reintroducing myth, poetry, and wonder into faith practices.

ADVICE

Use Imaginative Apologetics

Use imaginative apologetics: tell the story through myth, poetry, and story instead of only proofs.
Mark Nelson recommends asking more questions and inviting mystery rather than only giving answers.

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How a wider vision of God, a richer gospel, and a reenchanted faith can help restore your wonder and reignite your purpose. This special episode of Voxology, featuring Mike Erre's conversation with Alan Hirsch and Mark Nelson, kicks off the Reframation Series with a deeply challenging and encouraging blueprint for recovering the beauty of Jesus and the mission of the Church.

Borrowing from Hirsch and Nelson's new book, "Reframation," the episode explores how the evangelical church in the West has lost its way—not because of too little doctrine but because of reductionism. By shrinking God to a manageable size, theology becomes heresy, and the gospel becomes a formula instead of a life-altering mystery. It's time for something bigger.

Key Takeaways: • Reframing vs. Reforming – Why the Church doesn't just need new formatting, but a complete reframing of its views of God, gospel, people, and mission. • The Problem of Reductionism – How minimizing God to a set of doctrines results in distorted theology, bad community, and failed witness. • Heresy as Shrinking Truth – Rethinking "heresy" not as being wrong but as reducing a single truth into "the whole" truth. • The Gospel Is Bigger – Moving past a guilt-based gospel to embrace liberation for the oppressed, restoration for the broken, and belonging for the shamed. • Wonder is not Weakness – How awe, beauty, imagination, and mystery are not optional aesthetics but central to knowing God. • Voices We've Missed – Why expanding theology means honoring the perspectives of women, the marginalized, and non-Western frameworks.

Guest Highlights: Alan Hirsch – Missional thought leader and author of "The Forgotten Ways," Hirsch brings decades of praxis-driven insight into how the church can rediscover its true shape and calling. Mark Nelson – Pastor of Crossings in Knoxville, TN, and co-author of "Reframation," Nelson shares from the frontlines of leading a congregation toward deeper mystery, love, and community.

Resources Mentioned: • Reframation: Seeing God, People and Mission Through Reenchanted Frames – reframationbook.com • Twitter: @AlanHirsch • Church Website – Crossings Knoxville: crossingsknoxville.com • Quote Highlight: "If you think you've got God in your doctrine, I promise you—it's not God you've got." • "The Forgotten Ways" by Alan Hirsch – [Link] • "Redeeming Theology" – Article by Mike on renewed spiritual imagination [Link if available]

Engage the bigger story and help us move toward a wide-eyed, reenchanted faith. Subscribe to Voxology, leave a review, and follow us on social to keep the conversation going.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue this together. Send your responses, thoughts, or questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the community on Facebook and Instagram.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.