The Gospel Comes with a House Key

Discover a powerful vision of hospitality that is far removed from mere entertaining. In this episode, we explore Rosaria Butterfield's transformative book, The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World. Learn how radically ordinary hospitality is defined not by flawless execution but by using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God.

In a culture facing a crisis of loneliness, Butterfield presents hospitality that pulses with the beating heart of the gospel itself. It’s a practice that mirrors how God sought us out, took us in, made us family, and seated us at his table. This isn't just about welcoming like-minded people; it's a call to build strong relationships with people who think differently than we do, demonstrating what authentic Christianity looks like to a skeptical, post-Christian world.

The episode delves into the practical, messy, and often challenging reality of living out this call. Drawing from the author's own experiences, you'll hear how hospitality unfolded amidst a neighbor's meth lab bust, dealing with judgment and criticism from others, and navigating profound worldview differences at the dinner table.

Key themes explored include:

• The inherent dignity of all people as image bearers of God, regardless of their sin or background.
• Hospitality as spiritual warfare, requiring spiritual preparation and dependence on God.
• The importance of centering hospitality around the gospel and the Bible, allowing Jesus to enter difficult conversations and bring healing.
• How table fellowship can violate usual boundary maintenance and expose false understandings of personhood based on identity sameness.
• The necessity of genuine acceptance and respect for unbelieving friends, while remaining anchored in biblical truth.
• The role of children in radically ordinary hospitality, as active participants who bring unique perspectives and compassion.
• Identifying and rejecting counterfeit hospitality, which exploits the longing to belong for harmful purposes.

Join us as we unpack this insightful and challenging call to open our homes, our lives, and our hearts, recognizing that the atoning blood of Christ is the bridge for seemingly unbridgeable differences and that the gospel itself comes with a house key.