Bread of Life: The Simple Gospel

By Steven J Hannah

Through the ‘I am’ statements made by Jesus in the Gospel of John, the message of Jesus is explored, seeking to understand whether His words and His message are understandable and attainable by all who choose to believe; a simple gospel.

Exploring faith? You will be brought closer to understanding the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. He invites you to say yes, and your faith in Jesus will be eternally rewarded.

Recently begun your Christian walk? Exploring the words of Jesus allows you to increase your faith, knowledge and retain your sense of wonder, while understanding that the message of Christ is a simple one.

Long into your Christian walk? You will be reminded of the childlikeness and wonder in the simplicity of the message of Jesus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664213784

Steven J Hannah

Steven Hannah has been teaching since 2007 and is currently in a middle leadership position at a Christian school. Attaining his Masters of Education (Leadership and Management) in 2018, his encounter with secular postmodern philosophy at university gave him a desire to explore Christianity at an intellectual level. Steven’s other qualifications include a Bachelor of Music/Performing Arts and Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching. Speaking regularly at his church, his approach is part apologetic, part philosophical, relevant to current events, and his devotions and messages are well-received which led him to write this book. Steven lives in North Brisbane, Queensland, with his wife and two children.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 Steven J Hannah.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher

make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book

and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English

Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing

ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1377-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1379-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1378-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020923166

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/04/2020

PREFACE

This is my first foray into long-form writing, and I can honestly say that despite the challenges I have loved the experience. As much as I would love to think of myself, my opinions, and my foundational doctrinal beliefs as correct, what follows is merely the outcome of my thought processes. I am creative, yet introverted, so much of my time is spent analysing people, situations, circumstances.

This book came about thanks to a series of messages based on the ‘I am’ statements in the gospel of John. As ideologies and political movements seem to be turning social relationships increasingly partisan, the more the words of Jesus need to be reheard and understood afresh. This is something I am passionate about, and I hope that this book has the opportunity to reach a wide audience, allowing for the gospel message to again be heard in the public sphere and accepted as a genuine worldview worthy of consideration.

Thanks to:

This book is dedicated to the memory of Ravi Zacharias (1946 – 2020), one of the greatest preachers, thinkers, and Christian apologists of the 20th and 21st centuries. In showing just how great an influence he was, I saw an image combining the pictures of both Ravi Zacharias and the character of Captain America/Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The image had Ravi Zacharias as the top half with the years of his life and Captain America as the bottom half stating that earth has just lost her greatest defender.

I never had the opportunity to meet Ravi, and sadly, I only discovered his teaching and ministry a few years ago. He never ceased to amaze me with his eloquence, intellectuality, knowledge, and capacity to relate to his audience. He also had an uncanny ability to connect a real experience to every question that was asked of him. His answers were always precisely what they needed to be. Intensely deep and philosophical for questions about worldviews, yet intensely relational and personal for questions from individuals and their specific circumstances and struggles.

In a message delivered at Gateway Church in early 2020, when asked what his first words were going to be when he saw God, he stated:

I am nowhere near concerned about what I’m going to say to Him. I am truly concerned with what He is going to say to me. And if I were to hear from Him the words, ‘Well done,’ what do you say?

This was one of the last messages he presented. Ravi, I thank you for your ministry and the legacy you have left. As the master’s words to his servants were:

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25:21)

…I have the utmost confidence that our Heavenly Father welcomed you into the kingdom.

Thank you, sir.

To the people who I have referenced, I thank you for the wisdom, insight, and theological knowledge that you possess. The likelihood of me meeting you to thank you in person is improbable, so please consider this my sincere thanks. As a still (relatively) young Christian, I am fully aware of whose shoulders I stand on in defence of the Christian faith and the preaching of the Gospel. If I were to develop half of the abilities you possess, I would humbly consider myself to be a blessed individual, so thank you.

To Axis Church, thank you for allowing me to explore my thought processes, the opportunity to freely express myself and offer my views, and for your encouragement and feedback.

To Jono Schroder, Mat Thomson, and Graeme and Vicki Carnell, thanks for your proof-reading, and your honest and open feedback.

And lastly, to my wife Cassy, my biggest encouragement has come from you, and I thank you for your unwavering support in my endeavours.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SIMPLE GOSPEL. SO WHY THE CONFUSION?

3. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

John 14:6

4. LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 8:12

5. THE TRUE VINE

John 15:5

6. THE DOOR AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD

John 10:7

John 10:11

7. THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

John 11:25–26

8. THE BREAD OF LIFE

John 6:35

9. THE WONDER

Psalm 89:5

38193.png

INTRODUCTION

KEEP. IT. SIMPLE. STUPID.

38208.png

I did not start down the route of an apologetic-style defence of the Christian worldview. Yet surprisingly, my most robust defence has come when dialoguing with friends and colleagues who have doctrinal differences. This made no sense, as surely the defence of one’s faith comes when conversing with those who disagree with Christianity. However, this was not my experience. My most heated discussions and debates seemed to be with my fellow followers of Christ. While we agree that some ideas, like prosperity, are close to the truth making them dangerous, those I have encountered who follow reformed theology tend to be most critical of differing scriptural interpretations, despite what I find contradictory within this doctrine. In an interview with a student on the concept of election, a renowned reformed theologian responded by stating that it all came down to answering one question; whether mankind is depraved. If this is the case, if we are truly dead in our sin, we have a genuine hatred towards God, we are wholly evil, then how is it possible that some claim belief in God while others claim none? If we claim that we opened our hearts, this theologian points to scriptures indicating that God opens our hearts. If we claim that we repented of our own free will, he points to scriptures indicating that the act of repentance is a gift from God. He suggests that we play no role in our salvation, but rather our salvation is entirely dependent on God’s election of us.¹

With this answer, he appears to lead the student through Calvinism’s views on election rather than examining a holistic biblical view. He, along with other reformed theologians, attempts to fit the bible into their theological framework rather than allowing the bible to frame their views. I would now strenuously indicate that this is not a personal critique, nor a critique of their faith, but rather of their underlying belief system and the fruits this system bears. How can we effectively evangelise to non-believers through arguments over doctrinal differences? How can we effectively teach new believers through disagreements over fundamental aspects of our faith? How can we effectively prevent burnout and jadedness when, knowingly or not, differing frameworks frame the bible and not vice versa? These discussions and experiences led me to examine statements made by Jesus in the Gospel of John without distraction. Yet despite any criticisms I may have of reformed theology, I have quoted and referenced several high-profile Calvinists. After all, it is one man who sharpens another much like it is iron that sharpens iron². Regardless of doctrinal differences, good teaching is good teaching.

I love the acronym, KISS. Keep it simple, stupid. I have attempted to apply this philosophy with regards to my career in education, music, and my understanding and presentation of the Christian faith. Interestingly, most of the times the word ‘simple’ is used in a biblical sense, it is depicted negatively. The writers of Proverbs are particularly unforgiving towards the idea of simplicity. Proverbs 9 instructs us to leave our simple ways and walk in insight. Proverbs 14 tells us that the simple person believes anything whereas the judicious pay attention to their direction, and Proverbs 22 offers that people who are careful and aware will sense danger yet the simple will stay their course into trouble. Yet when it seems that life has become far too complicated and we begin drowning in a lack of direction and certainty surrounding our future, like much of society experienced during Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, a return to a simple process of simple steps does allow a sense of control to be regained. The many variances of Christianity, the numerous choices before us today, and the competing worldviews ensure that the message of Jesus is potentially lost in the crowd. It is imperative to remember that while Jesus argued and debated with religious scholars using their language, he spent much of his time speaking with the common folk, like you and I, in a language and with a message that could be understood. How can we receive God’s promise of heaven? How do we become inheritors of this promise? Acts 2 tells us to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, and we receive the Holy Spirit.

This book is not intended to be a defence of Christianity, much like an apologetic text might be, although it does contain some apologetic elements. Rather, this has been written for a wide audience. For the person exploring faith, I hope to bring