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This is why Hall advocates a "disengagement" from that image of American public life. Getting some distance from this aspect of the dominant culture will enable a framework for evangelism that embraces the diversity of God's community. Thus, Christ can truly become the "all in all."
Keifert defines the two main challenges in American culture as being the moral imperative to respect diversity, coupled with the spiritual imperative to nurture the current awakening. That an awakening is taking place is evident in the growing numbers of church members, but it is also important to keep in mind what both Watson and Hall say about the problems with large church culture in America. Bigger is not necessarily better. Christians need to move beyond the "supersize me" mentality and embrace a quality over quantity mentality when it comes to their ministries.
From a theological and scriptural perspective, the suggestions offered by Watson and Hall are sensible and solid. Christ is the "all in all," the Great Reconciler who alone has the power to deliver all human beings. There is no better way of performing the ethical imperatives inherent in American society than with a Christian point-of-view. Issues related to social justice -- such as health care -- can be framed from a Christian perspective that takes into account the life, teachings, and Word of Jesus. As Watson points out, preaching the gospel means two things: the gospel of Christ, and the gospel about Christ. The gospel teaches the content...
This aspect of the gospel -- the gospel of social ethics -- can be used to inform future evangelical missions and ministries. Furthermore, the gospel about Christ teaches not just what He taught but how. Herein lies the model for modern American ministry. Christ is the model; the disciples would become Christ's first evangelists. The Bible holds the theological key to the transformation of American Christian society and perhaps American society in general.
A "radical change" may be needed to make the church relevant for the 21st century (Watson 197). In order to evoke and sustain the change, Christians need to "rethink the basic elements of our tradition in such a way as to discover in them that through which we may address our age with fresh insight and conviction," (Hall 207). With a greater emphasis on moral authenticity and the construction of diverse yet wholesome communities, American evangelism can regain status and substantive footing in the cultural discourse, so that the Kingdom may come.
Works Cited
Hall, Douglas John. "Ecclesia Crucis: The Theologic of Christian Awkwardness." In the Church Between Gospel and Culture. Hunsberger and Van Gelder.
Keifert, Patrick R. Welcoming the Stranger. Augsburg, 1992.
Watson, David Lowes. "Christ All in All: The Recovery of the Gospel of Evangelism in the United States." In the Church Between Gospel and Culture. Hunsberger and Van Gelder.
Works Cited
Hall, Douglas John. "Ecclesia Crucis: The Theologic of Christian Awkwardness." In the Church Between Gospel and Culture. Hunsberger and Van Gelder.
Keifert, Patrick R. Welcoming the Stranger. Augsburg, 1992.
Watson, David Lowes. "Christ All in All: The Recovery of the Gospel of Evangelism in the United States." In the Church Between Gospel and Culture. Hunsberger and Van Gelder.
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