“We are just looking for the best way to enhance the Gospel,” or “Our goal is to enhance the Gospel.” I hear phrases like that thrown around a lot, especially in creative avenues of the church. Be it anything from a song, to a media piece, to a well designed print piece, it seems we like the justify our creative effort with the noble mission of “enhancing the Gospel.”
I’ll be honest, I’ve used the phrase. But, the more I hear it the more something about it just doesn’t sit right with me. Using the word “enhance” makes it seem as though we think the Gospel is insufficient or ineffective on it’s own, or that it’s just not quite good enough. Personally, I think the Gospel works in spite of us and the way we communicate its message.
Now I’m not convinced that the above is really what we mean when we use phrases like “to enhance the Gospel.” But, I think if we’re not careful, very quickly the words we use to describe what we’re doing will become the focus of what we’re doing. Meaning, even if we don’t believe we can enhance the Gospel but we continue to use that wording we will eventually get to the point where at least part of us believes that is indeed what we are doing through our creative efforts.
What are your thoughts? Do you use similar wording? WHY or WHY not? If anyone who uses that phrase regularly and has a reason as to WHY I would love to hear it! I’m not condemning its use, but rather seeking to understand.
I’ve been looking for alternatives to use instead, and…well…I haven’t come up with anything that I really like. At the end of the day, my goal is to intentionally communicate the Gospel – pure and simple. Sometimes it’s in a new or different way. Sometimes it’s an “age old method.” Sometimes it’s very literal, sometimes more mysterious. But no matter the WHAT, I always strive to be intentional with the WHY.
I don’t know, maybe we don’t need a hip phrase to describe what we’re doing? Maybe we can just call it what it is? Clearly, this is something I’m still wrestling with in my head and I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I agree with you that the Gospel should not be "enhanced" by our own thoughts or words. It is fully sufficient on it's own. If God had intended that we add to it, then he would have said, "Go and enhance the Gospel, make it better." But He didn't say that. Instead, in Acts 20:24, it says:
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
We are to testify to the Gospel…not enhance it. We however, can enhance our spiritual growth by surrounding ourselves with a community who encourages us to be more like Christ and propels us to become a God seeking, God loving people.
In the end, I think when people say "enhance the Gospel," I hope they mean enhance our spiritual growth by using the tools God has given us to bring him closer to him.