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The Myth of Christian America  /  MCA (1 of 14): In the Beginning  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 2
Bercot insists “the gospel Jesus preached was the gospel of the kingdom,” and that “we can’t take the king without his kingdom”; where have you personally been tempted to want Jesus as Savior without embracing the kingdom’s concrete laws, values, leadership, and worldview?
Another way to ask: Where are you tempted to want Jesus as Savior but not want to follow the kingdom’s rules, values, and way of life? What parts do you want to leave out?

Direct Answer The transcript doesn’t know your personal story, but it pushes you to admit where you may want Jesus’ benefits while resisting the demands of being a present-tense citizen under His rule. Bercot’s point is that receiving Jesus means accepting “the king and his kingdom,” with real laws and values that shape everyday choices.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot says Jesus’ gospel theme was “the kingdom of God,” and it’s “the only thing that Jesus called the good news.”
  • He insists: “We can’t take the king without his kingdom… If we want Jesus to be our Savior, we have to become citizens of His kingdom.”
  • He emphasizes the kingdom is “here right now” for the born again: God “has translated us… into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
  • He describes it as “real, concrete, with its own set of laws, its own values, its own leadership, and its own worldview.”
  • He contrasts citizenship: believers are “aliens… foreigners” with “different values and a different outlook.”
Discussion Follow-ups Which “concrete” kingdom laws (like not resisting evil or loving enemies) do you tend to treat as optional ideals rather than binding commands?

Jumpstarter 2 of 10
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