Introduction to ReKnew
There’s never been anyone like Jesus. Not even close.
And yet, there’s no greater disconnect in history than the chasm between Jesus and many who claim his name.
If you’re like most thinking people, you’re frustrated by that. Or disappointed. The inconsistencies are rampant.
Or maybe you’ve recently faced a horrific tragedy and your seemingly coherent belief system has come crashing down all around you.
The good news is, there really is Good News. And after decades of reading and researching and debating and praying, it turns out it’s better than any of us dared dream.
Now there’s a movement getting back to basics, back to the simple yet radically beautiful and counter-cultural vision that Jesus unleashed two thousand years ago:
Welcome to ReKnew.
1. “But there are so many different pictures of God out there, and none of them ring true.”
We’ve found the center of the center to be that Jesus reveals what God is really like. And nothing puts a finer point on that than his willing, sacrificial death on a cross. After Jesus, everything else we know about God comes a much distant second.
2. “I just can’t believe in a God that would allow so much evil and suffering in the world.”
No doubt, the contemporary pictures of God out there leave much to be desired. Much to our relief, Jesus reveals that God is not to blame.
3. “I’m sick of power-hungry preachers and politicians claiming Jesus’ name.”
Jesus was apolitical, calling his followers to a “power under,” not “power over,” way of life. This radical love is not just God’s love for humanity but also the means by which God seeks to establish his kingdom here on earth. The far-reaching implications of that stand in stark contrast to the religions of our day.
4. “How could a loving God destine people to die in Nazi gas chambers? Or spend eternity in Hell?”
Clearly, the modern church’s obsession with God-as-puppeteer has gone off the rails. When you get back to Jesus, the picture of God is open, dynamic and truly beautiful. With no disclaimers, no hidden agendas, no fine print.
ReKnew invites you to engage in the discourse as together we seek to re-knew everything we knew about God.
Related Reading
Secret Doubt
J L via Compfight We don’t usually do this, but Jessica Kelley (Henry’s mom) over at Jess in Process wrote a piece about her struggles with doubt, and we got her permission to reprint it in its entirety. She perfectly represents the basic premise of Greg’s upcoming book Benefit of the Doubt. Thanks Jess! Secret…
The One True Source
In the weeks to come, I’d like to share some thoughts on each of the nine convictions (expressed in A ReKnew Manifesto) that ReKnew seeks to promote. The ReKnew team is convinced that this “Manifesto” articulates aspects of the Kingdom that were largely neglected or misconstrued in traditional Christianity, but that will characterize the new Kingdom…
Video Q&A: Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?
Greg discusses the origins of our celebration of Christmas and whether Christians should celebrate it given its pagan origins. Plus, he gives us some interesting new lyrics to the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Have fun!
Open2013 Reflections
Both participants and leaders share about what was happening at Open2013 and some of their thoughts on Open Theism. Listen in and hear from Greg Boyd, John Sanders, Tom Oord, T. C. Moore, Jessica Kelley and many more.
One Word
While I’ve lately been pretty distracted finishing up Benefit of the Doubt (Baker, 2013), my goal is to sprinkle in posts that comment on the distinctive commitments of ReKnew a couple of times a week. I’m presently sharing some thoughts on the second conviction of ReKnew, which is that Jesus Christ is the full and…
Reflections on the Supremacy of Christ (Part 2)
Whereas most Christians place the revelation of God in Christ alongside of other portraits of God and end up with an amalgamated image of God, we at ReKnew encourage believers to base their understanding of God completely on Christ, and especially on Christ crucified. And we encourage disciples to work to reinterpret through the lens…