The Gospel
Early this year I began a conversation with some of my friends over the issue of preaching and the gospel. Through that conversation I think it is appropriate to ask the question: what is the gospel? When we use the word gospel what do we mean? As Christians? As Evangelicals or Baptists?
The use of the word seems to be all around us without any definitions. We know it comes from euangelion and means good news, but have we really spent time contemplating what we mean by "gospel? When we say we are doing something for the gospel?
The use of the word seems to be all around us without any definitions. We know it comes from euangelion and means good news, but have we really spent time contemplating what we mean by "gospel? When we say we are doing something for the gospel?
Help me think through this issue and let us come to a more definitive usage of the word gospel.
posted by Madison | 12:32 PM
3 Comments:
This is actually a surprisingly difficult question. We would think that a greater focus should be put on Jesus’ original preaching rather than on Paul’s more particular interpretations. However, the letters of Paul were written 20 to 40 years prior to the Four Gospels! Nevertheless, I think that we should always begin with Jesus’ original teachings and then move forward to the interpretations and interpretational emphases of the apostles.
Therefore, we have the following:
The Gospel is identified as the coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15; Luke 16:16; Matt 4:23; 9:35; 24:14)
The Gospel is identified as the Grace of God (Acts 20:24)
The Gospel is identified as Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Rom 1:9; 15:19; 1 Cor 9:12; 2 Cor 2:12; 4:4; 9:13; 2 Cor 10:14; Gal 1: 7; Phil 1:27)
The Gospel is identified as God (2 Cor 11:7; 1 Thes 2:2, 8-9; 3:2; 2 The 1:8; 2:14; 1 Tim 1:11; 1 Pet 4:17)
The Gospel is identified as Peace (Eph 6:15)
I hold that the Gospel should primarily be identified as the Kingdom of God because this was the primary identification of Jesus. However, following this primary identification, I think we can include the secondary identifications that the Apostles provided. The Gospel is (in no order) Jesus Christ who is the King of the Kingdom, who inaugurated the Kingdom, whose atoning work brought salvation for Man, and God who is the merciful provider of all the above.
The Gospel is the Kingdom of God come in power and authority for justice, reconciliation, peace, the forgiveness of sins, defeat of satanic powers, etc.
I like what circenses had to say. Especially the end where he sums it all up in a phrase that is broad enough to cover many different model of atonement and salvation.
I think though to make it even simpler I think Jesus is clear that the gospel is Him.
The gospel= Jesus Christ.
He came and said the OT is about me. I (the Godman) have come to save all who believe and put their trust in me. I am who Abraham and Moses knew and spoke about. I am Christ.
Both Circenses and Blackhaw offer interesting insights into defining the term "gospel." However, both fall victim of the same problem in opposite ways. Circenses overcomplicates the problem while Blackhaw oversimplifies it. Therefore, I will offer an answer that blends both without going too far or not far enough. Further, I will offer an answer from an evangelists viewpoint (lest we forget that evangelism is the mission).
As Madison mentions, "gospel" comes from the Greek term euangellion (in its verb and noun form). When we use the term, it carries up to three meanings:
1. Jesus
2. Atonement
3. Santification
Allow me to elaborate.
Jesus
Jesus is the living Gospel. He is the good news, the Son of God, second member of the Trinity; only through Christ is a man saved. The gospel refers to Christ's person, work, and deity.
Atonement
The gospel is the good news preached to the lost about what Christ did so they could be saved. It refers to Jesus' life, death, resurrection; it refers to the salvation offered by grace through faith. This is often referred to as "evangelism."
Sanctification
The gospel is the good news preached to the saved about how to live a life that loves God and neighbor. The gospel brings about spiritual growth, maturity, and the process of sanctifying the beleiver. We often refer to this as "discipleship."
So, the gospel is Jesus, the message of evangelism, and the message of discipleship.
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