It has been said that the church today is going through period of “de-construction” or “re-construction.” Last week in an article, I spoke of re-thinking the term “church-planting” by clergy. The word “planting” has colonial origins, from a time when colonists showed up on land belonging to indigenous people and literally planted into the ground their own customary plants. Consequently, instead of using the term, “church-planting,” the term “movement-creating” is being used.

During my last sermon, I stated that I had been re-thinking the word, “inclusion,” as the word infers that others are to assimilate and accept our beliefs, doctrines and practices. I suggested finding a word that infers creating an environment encouraging us to sit at a table with others to learn, be challenged and to even change.

During the meeting of the Outreach Team after Sunday’s service, I pointed out that there are clergy re-thinking the word “evangelism,” as the word has a connotation today that is different from its Biblical meaning.

Most theologians agree that the Greek word, evangelion, that we translate “gospel,” is best be translated as “prophetic revolution,” because the word literally means “good news of political and social significance.”

When a nation was at war with another, evangelion was the report that was brought to the general: “Good news! The battle has been fought and won!”

When a son was born to the king, ensuring the political stability of the kingdom, evangelion was what they announced to the public: “Good news! A child has been born to the king! Our reign is secure!”

Mary’s gospel song at the news of Jesus’ birth is an example of such evangelion. “Good news! Kings are being cast down from their thrones, the hungry are taking over, and the rich are being sent away empty.” Her song is nothing less than a battle cry.

The song of Zechariah at the birth of his and Elizabeth’s son, John, is a similar gospel song: “Good news! As he spoke through the holy prophets of old, we will be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us…”

And when John began his own preaching in the wilderness, Luke described his preaching as evangelion: “Good news! Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“And the crowds asked him, ‘what then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food, must do likewise.”

Do you detect a pattern to this good news?

When God comes into the world, it is always good news for the poor and for the marginalized, and it is bad news for the proud and the rich. It is much more than personal good news. It is political, economic, and social good news. The gospel disrupts the old order of things as it announces a new order. The gospel is so adversarial toward the status quo, that we are justified in speaking of it as nothing less than a prophetic revolution.

Consequently, the term for “evangelism” preferred by some clergy today is “Prophetic Advocacy.” For we believe that Christians are called to share the gospel of Christ by challenging and transforming unjust systems and structures.

The following paragraph regarding “Prophetic Advocacy” is taken from “An Advocacy Tool-Kit” found on our Disciples website. I encourage you to read more at: https://disciples.org/resources/justice/advocacy-tool-kit/

 “Effective advocacy provides an opportunity to live out our faith and join with the voices of prophets and Jesus to proclaim love for the marginalized.  It offers pathways to partner with the poor, seek to transform racist structures, and endeavor to influence hearts and minds by communicating faith values to policy makers and people in power. It provides chances to connect our understanding of scripture with the shaping of society. Advocacy includes activities like public education, relationship-building with policy makers, civic engagement, voter registration, and media outreach. Advocacy can lead to systemic, lasting, positive changes that help all people thrive in their communities.”