Is “He gets us!” an effective way to engage our culture?

The recent Super Bowl ads proclaimed, “He gets us!” What does it mean that Jesus “gets us”? Is that true? Is that the right message? The gospel message? Is it too short? Is it a distortion of the gospel? Is this an appropriate method for sparking conversation about Jesus?

Calvary University’s “Calvary Conversations” team discussed and debated the value and shortcomings of the “He Gets Us” ad campaign as well as some ways Christians can engage a post-Christian culture with the gospel message.

Is the “He Gets Us” campaign a good presentation of the gospel?

During this year’s Superbowl, an ad entitled “He gets us”—an obvious Christian message—was aired. It got a variety of responses, both positive and negative. Were these ads effective? Were they appropriate presentations of Jesus and the gospel? Were they trying to correct misconceptions about Jesus, the Church, Christians? Were they seeking to encourage Christians to communicate Jesus and the Gospel more correctly?

Calvary University’s “Calvary Conversations” team—Dr. Mike Dodds, Dr. Tim Hange, Prof. Shaun LePage and Dr. Joshua Paxton—explore this subject together, looking for the positive and less-positive aspects of the “He Gets Us” campaign as well as the larger discussion of how to engage a post-Christian culture with the gospel message.

How should Christians think about “the worship wars”?

“I love the drums in church!” “I hate drums in church!” “I love the contemporary worship songs!” “I love the old hymns!” We call this the “worship wars” in churches—so much debate surrounds the music in our worship services. Why? When is criticism good and when is it not so good?

Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds invited Dr. Ian Guthrie, Assistant Professor of Music at Calvary University, to explore this important subject of music and worship in our churches.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED BY DR. GUTHRIE:

• Westermeyer, Paul. Te Deum: The Church and Music. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1988.
• Dawn, Mava J. Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995.
• MacArthur, John. Charismatic Chaos. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

Should American Christians prepare for persecution?

Persecution of Christians has been a part of the history of the Church since its inception, but it appears to be getting worse. While we in America have been free from serious persecution for our faith, some say that it is coming even for us and maybe soon. How do we prepare for it? If it were to happen to us, how should we respond?

Calvary University’s Dr. Mike Dodds invited Pastor Reed Waggoner, author of Preparing for Persecution, to have a conversation about this important topic.

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