Here are links to two short videos explaining the gospel from The Gospel Coalition.
What is the gospel? Mark Dever
What is the gospel? John Piper
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Basic Definitions of the Gospel
Below are some more basic definitions of the gospel that I have come across on the internet. What do you think about them? Is there anything you would add or subtract or say in a different way?
In a basic definition of the gospel I think the focus should be on Jesus and should include at least 2-4:
Andrew Errington
The gospel is the message that God, in his love, has acted to redeem the world by sending his own Son to become a human being, live a wonderful, obedient life, take upon himself the judgment of God on sin in his death, and rise bodily from the dead, ascending to glory at the right hand of God, so that all who turn to him in repentance and faith receive forgiveness of sins and life by being united to him through his Spirit: in Jesus Christ there is salvation.
David Platt
The just and gracious God of the universe looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the resurrection so that all who have faith in Him will be reconciled to God forever.
John Piper
The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus.
FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.
In a basic definition of the gospel I think the focus should be on Jesus and should include at least 2-4:
- Jesus as God- His nature and character and role as creator
- Why we need Jesus- sin, judgment and hell
- What Jesus did for us- sinless life, cross, death and resurrection
- How we receive Jesus- faith and repentance
- Jesus' coming Kingdom- to be with Jesus in His kingdom forever in glory
Andrew Errington
The gospel is the message that God, in his love, has acted to redeem the world by sending his own Son to become a human being, live a wonderful, obedient life, take upon himself the judgment of God on sin in his death, and rise bodily from the dead, ascending to glory at the right hand of God, so that all who turn to him in repentance and faith receive forgiveness of sins and life by being united to him through his Spirit: in Jesus Christ there is salvation.
David Platt
The just and gracious God of the universe looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the resurrection so that all who have faith in Him will be reconciled to God forever.
John Piper
The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus.
FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Gospel Quote - The Gospel from Three Perspectives
Tim Keller
"I think it is important to see that the gospel itself (just like the Triune God) should be understood through three perspectives as well. Each perspective is true in that it eventually comprises the whole, but each approach begins with a particular ‘door’ or aspect.
The ‘normative’ aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of Christ”, stresses the objective, historic work of Christ that Jesus really came in time-space and history to accomplish [salvation] for us. It will talk much more about the real, historicity of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was a doctrinal heresy.
The ‘existential’ (experiential) aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of sonship”, stresses our new identity in Christ as adopted children…It will talk much of the power of the spirit to renew broken hearts…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was a pastoral one of Christians falling back into legalism.
The ‘situational’ aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of the kingdom”, stresses the reversal of values in the new creation. It will talk about healed community, cultural transformation, ministries of deed and justice…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was the lack of ‘table fellowship’ between Jew and Gentile."
"I think it is important to see that the gospel itself (just like the Triune God) should be understood through three perspectives as well. Each perspective is true in that it eventually comprises the whole, but each approach begins with a particular ‘door’ or aspect.
The ‘normative’ aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of Christ”, stresses the objective, historic work of Christ that Jesus really came in time-space and history to accomplish [salvation] for us. It will talk much more about the real, historicity of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was a doctrinal heresy.
The ‘existential’ (experiential) aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of sonship”, stresses our new identity in Christ as adopted children…It will talk much of the power of the spirit to renew broken hearts…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was a pastoral one of Christians falling back into legalism.
The ‘situational’ aspect, I’ll call “the gospel of the kingdom”, stresses the reversal of values in the new creation. It will talk about healed community, cultural transformation, ministries of deed and justice…This view thinks that the problem addressed by Paul in Galatians was the lack of ‘table fellowship’ between Jew and Gentile."
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Best Gospel Posts of the Week
Here are the best posts that I have come across this past week, August 16-22, that discuss the gospel message.
- Evangelism for the Ordinary Radical - Jesus Manifesto
- Hard Core Jesus = Hard Core Gospel - Insight
- Jesus or 'Empathy and Courtesy' - Christ the Truth
- Progress of the Gospel - theoBlogian
- Repent and Believe - Mark 12 Ministries
- The Love of God: The Heart of the Gospel - theoBlogian
- The One Who Draws Them All - Jesus Shaped Spirituality
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Best "Living the Gospel" Posts of the Week
Here are the best posts I have come across this week, August 14-20, that deal with living out the gospel.
- Accept No Gospel Substitutes!
- An Introduction to the Glory of God (part 3) (part 4)
- Beware of the Ditches!
- If Any Man Would Come After Me
- No Scar?
- Subverting Suburbia
- The Terrors of Legalism
- Wise Decision-Making in a Wicked World (part 3) (part 4)
Historical Meaning of "Gospel"
Below is an excerpt from theoBlogian's blog post Progress on the Gospel that gives an understanding of how the Greek word for "gospel" was used at the time Jesus and the Apostles were alive. Sure makes sense in light of Mark 1:14-15 in which Jesus equated the gospel with believing that the kingdom of God was at hand. Here are the verses:
The word “gospel” has always meant “good news.” Today, even in secular conversation, gospel is synonymous with “truth” and “good news.” However, in the first century its connotations were hardly salvific and yet oddly religious. In those days, when a new Caesar or ruler came to power, he would send his proclaimers throughout the region to “preach the gospel.” Their gospel was: “a king sits on the throne.” Or “a new king is in power.” The gospel was also preached when reigning kings conquered regions and brought foreign lands under their rule. Sometimes the messengers preceded elaborate parades and rituals. For the native Roman, the smell of the sacrifices and incense that accompanied the loud proclamation was a sweet smell. For those who were conquered, the incense held only the smell of death and destruction.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”. (NKJV)From theoBlogian:
The word “gospel” has always meant “good news.” Today, even in secular conversation, gospel is synonymous with “truth” and “good news.” However, in the first century its connotations were hardly salvific and yet oddly religious. In those days, when a new Caesar or ruler came to power, he would send his proclaimers throughout the region to “preach the gospel.” Their gospel was: “a king sits on the throne.” Or “a new king is in power.” The gospel was also preached when reigning kings conquered regions and brought foreign lands under their rule. Sometimes the messengers preceded elaborate parades and rituals. For the native Roman, the smell of the sacrifices and incense that accompanied the loud proclamation was a sweet smell. For those who were conquered, the incense held only the smell of death and destruction.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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