The Open Source Agape Gospel Project

The Biblical Gospel Is Agape, and the implications are profound and eternal.

“The Biblical Gospel is Agape.”

Like the little boy in ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ parable, I have simply stated the obvious, which has always been hidden in plain sight. The elephant in the room has been unveiled, and the ramifications are profound. Extraordinary sounding claims require extraordinary evidence, which will be provided in spades, so stay tuned!

My conceptualization of the word ‘Agape’ is ‘pure love expressed from a pure heart.’ It is a mindset that constantly seeks to benefit others and is instinctively averse to causing harm or disadvantage, similar to how one naturally seeks personal advantage and avoids personal disadvantage.

The Bible expresses Agape as follows:

Now the end [purpose] of the commandment is charity [Agape] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned
~1 Timothy 1:5

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets
~Matthew 7:12

Agape is often misunderstood as ‘selfless love.’ Agape represents pure love from a pure heart, extended equally to all people, including oneself. Individuals centered in Agape are not obligated to tolerate exploitation by self-centered and entitled people. Agape should not be confused with weakness; quite the contrary, a lack of Agape is an expression of internal weakness. Self-control, personal responsibility, and personal accountability are essential qualities for upholding what is right, just, and honorable. The strength that will resonate through eternity will rest upon the foundation of these qualities.

In contrast to Agape, which I propose is the highest-order principle that reigns supreme above all else, there lies an alternative mode of being that is not 100% Agape-centered. The expression of this selfish and indifferent outlook varies greatly due to individuals operating based on their unique values and motivational systems. Individuals define and act out their personal notions of good and evil, both within and outside the constraints of an Agape mindset.

According to the teachings of the Bible, God characterizes our present condition as one in which every individual possesses the capacity to make choices based on his or her own definition of what is good and evil.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
~Genesis 2:17

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
~Genesis 3:4-5

Applying a little logic and common sense leads one to conclude that Adam and Eve were created under the auspices of Agape and that their desire to define good and evil of their own accord represents their rejection of Agape as their prime directive. The rest, as they say, is history. Every person since has consistently failed to embody the ideal of Agape as well.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
~Romans 3:23

This fact has led to the vast majority of humanity’s problems, which range from everyday interpersonal relationship failings to global crises.

It is natural to prioritize personal comfort over putting in uncomfortable effort to maintain balanced interpersonal relationships. We do not experience the pain or desires of others with the same intensity as our own, which makes it more challenging to empathize and care for others as much as we do for ourselves.

The word ‘sin’ in the Bible is derived from the Hebrew word ‘hata,’ which translates into English as ‘to miss the mark,’ or ‘to err.’ The Spanish word ‘sin’ means ‘without.’ The mark missed is Agape. The error made is to exist outside the bounds circumscribed by the principle of Agape, or pure love from a pure heart.

The Spanish/Greek phrase ‘Sin Agape’ perfectly expresses the definition of the Biblical concept of 'sin.’ The serendipity of this ‘sin’ homograph is too irresistible for me to overlook (homograph: a word that is spelled the same as another word, but with a different meaning; I had to search out this word, so I share its definition in case some readers might not be familiar with it).

Therefore, I employ the phrase 'Sin Agape' to denote anything less than a perfect expression of Agape. The Bible portrays Jesus as both God and man, and as the sole embodiment of flawless Agape ever to have manifested in human form.

The central dichotomy in the Biblical narrative lies in how individuals, whether knowingly or unknowingly, express their life energy in relation to Agape and its antithesis, Sin Agape.

While the exploration of Agape is the cornerstone of this substack, important examples of real world Sin Agape will be covered as well.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
~Ephesians 5:11-13

Some societal-level systems were formed based on the principle of Sin Agape and were structured to ultimately benefit only a select few 'system architects.' All others are placed at a comparative disadvantage. In the modern era of propaganda-renamed-public-relations, these systems are presented with a thin veneer of marketing spin that is meant to mislead those being put at a disadvantage. It amazes me how far a thin veneer of marketing spin can be stretched!

My experience communicating such issues over the last two decades leads me to believe that many of my readers will have to overcome some level of discomfort when learning about these systemic and seemingly intractable problems, especially when they are placed in their Sin Agape context.

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.
~James A. Garfield

One of my objectives is to empower people to better navigate an increasingly challenging future, which necessitates raising awareness of the most pressing issues facing humanity. I hope to learn a lot as this community shares its best countermeasure ideas. By highlighting these systems, we can also expose the far-reaching consequences of neglecting the principle of Agape, both on a personal level and a societal level.

I hope this exploration of the Agape Gospel and its antithesis, Sin Agape, has sparked your interest. Consider subscribing to The Open Source Agape Gospel Project substack and sharing it with others. I firmly believe that the information shared will greatly benefit readers as they align their lives more closely with reality.

Agape God is the ultimate source of Agape for humanity. A focus on Agape is a focus on the very essence of God’s most valuable asset — His perfect Agape character. Biblical revelation is clear: God and the principle of Agape are inextricably intertwined and inseparable; they literally are one and the same.

He that loveth (agapao) not knoweth not God; for God is love (agape).
~I John 4:8

Did you catch it? God is Agape. Agape is the very core essence of the creator’s being! Could there be any better ‘good news,’ any better gospel, than that?

I pray that a community of Agape-minded individuals develops around this substack, and expands well beyond it. There is no need to have dogmatic agreement with my own, or any other, religious paradigm. If we can find agreement on the primacy of Agape, then let us help each other grow into it, and everything else will work out over time.

My experience communicating such issues over the last two decades leads me to believe that many of my readers will have to overcome some level of discomfort when learning about these systemic and seemingly intractable problems, especially when they are placed in their Sin Agape context.

For those who do not subscribe to Bible-centered Christianity, may we all grow together in Agape and grow in respect for honest and sincere differences in perspective. I would love for people in this group to promote Agape within the context of their belief system. Agape is the solution to what ails humanity the most.