Is Christianity ‘Jesus + The American Dream?’
So asks the documentary, “The American Gospel: Christ Alone”. In answering, it raises many questions for those of us who care deeply about both the scriptures and the power of the Spirit today.
The feature-length documentary pitches two ‘camps’ of Christianity against one another, crossing numbers of theological fault lines. Stef Liston has produced a series of insightful ten-minute videos to help us think more deeply about the themes raised in the documentary, and help us navigate some of the issues raised as wisely and fruitfully as possible.
First! Watch the documentary
It is important to watch the documentary in order to benefit from this video series. The full documentary is available on many online platforms (see here), or you can watch a shortened, 40-minute version for free on YouTube.
2. “You’re Not David!”
Just how does the story of David and Goliath apply to our lives today? Are we too quickly ‘reading ourselves in’ to the story as David? Stef Liston helps us consider the different ways to approach the David-Goliath narrative and apply its message in our own lives.
3. Little Gods
Just how ‘god-like’ are God’s children? In this episode, Stef Liston looks more in-depth at the idea of 'Little Gods' introduced in the documentary , "The American Gospel".
4. The Power of Our Words
Just how much power do our words have? How can we biblically consider the ‘power of the tongue’? This is the fourth episode of Stef Liston's response to the issues raised in The American Gospel.
5. A Theology of Suffering
Scripture promises that believers will be persecuted. But does that mean we are called to suffer? and where do illness and sickness fit in? In this episode, Stef Liston looks at how the documentary lines up with what the Bible says on the subject.
6. Healing: God’s Will or Not?
Following on from the subject of suffering, is it God's desire to heal? Stef Liston looks at what the bible says on healing and helps us think how we should approach it today.
7. Calling Out The Gold
Is evangelism simply 'drawing out the gold' that already exists in people? Where does Holy Spirit conviction play a part in someone's first steps towards salvation?
8. Does God Bless The Obedient?
Just what does the Bible say about obedience - and where's the line between walking the way of God knowing it is the way of fruitfulness and blessing; and obeying God to be blessed?
9. Money, Money, Money
How does Scripture handle the subject of money, and do the Old and New Testament covenants approach it differently?
10. Seeker friendly
How much of the feelings of people should affect the running of our services? And where should we draw the line between 'belonging' vs 'believing'?