Because the world, this world, our world, is exactly nothing less than sinful. It is about the powerful overwhelming and "eating up" the poor. It is about what Texans call "bidness" without ethics. It is about the cultural view that the greatest sin is in getting caught. Consider this:
Anyone who can pay a penalty of that size is amazing, somehow. And millions dream to be just like him. And are disappointed if you point out that earning that much is impossible for all except a very few.
What kind of world needs to hear the News? The challenge is to present the News as the GOOD NEWS, for it is.
This week, I've worked on background. The original background? The Roman world is long gone, but if you re-read the experience of living in it, as portrayed in Revelation 17 and 18, that world rolls on. I used to think pre-Civil-War plantation mansions were beautiful, until realizing how they got there. One person consumed the entire life-energy of hundreds, to spend it all selfishly. There's no way to "spin" that into a glorious conclusion. I don't look at the mansions any more.
Of course, not every one who profits is evil..... not at all........... but there is evil in systems that demolish people as if they were edible.
Jesus said, "love your neighbor" and that is still magnificently good news everywhere it bears living fruit in this painful world. It is GOOD NEWS today.
B
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