Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
The speaker claims Ephesians “directly attacks or diminishes” the surrounding culture’s offered “power… life and glory,” raising up God’s way through Jesus instead. Based on what you heard, what are the modern cultural “power/life/glory” stories that the message of “in Christ” most directly undermines—and how might the church have subtly baptized them?
Another way to ask: What “power, life, and glory” stories does our culture sell today that “in Christ” challenges the most? In what ways has the church quietly accepted or renamed those stories as Christian?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript doesn’t list specific modern cultural stories, but it implies any “power/life/glory” narrative that competes with Jesus’ way gets diminished—especially stories that promise life through self-rule (an “Adam” way) instead of surrender to King Jesus. A reasonable inference is the church “baptizes” these when it treats Jesus like a cover for sin rather than a new way of living.
- He says Paul’s message “directly attacks… the things from their society… power… life and glory… and raises up God’s way… through Jesus.”
- He rejects salvation as an “abstract insurance plan… Christ sacrifice covers our sins… and we’re righteous now,” calling that not Scripture’s picture.
- He defines “in Christ” as being redeemed and also following Jesus’ example: “he demonstrates… the way… we begin to live according to his way.”
- He contrasts “living in Christ” with “living in Adam… Adam chose his own way… brought death.”
- He frames the gospel as “the commandment to follow the new king… his new reign, his new kingdom.”