Some Thoughts on the Book “What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?” (Post #15): Chapter 14- “Jesus’ Work”

For those of you who are still with me, there are only 21 chapters in Martin Thielen’s book What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian? We are in the second half of his book in which he tells us what Christians ought to believe.

The chapter we are on this morning is on Jesus’ Work and is sub-titled “Where Is God?” Thielen makes a compelling case that, in the midst of tragedies and catastrophes, God is incarnationally working through people. The Word became flesh — and the Word continues to become flesh — through us.

MY RESPONSE: I can’t disagree with Thielen in this chapter. I agree that God engages the world through His people. Evangelicals need to grow in doing good works to the glory of God. We need to help others through disasters, sponsor blood drives, feed and clothe the poor, reach out to the oppressed.

To the question “Where is God?”, Thielen answers, “Jesus’ life and work teaches us that God is at work in the world incarnationally — through human instruments, including you and me. Imagine that!” (98).

The oft-quoted statement by John Wesley fits well here: