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What is the Gospel? (Why does it have to be so complicated?)

I've just been reading Tom Wright's new book 'Simply Good News' and have three questions for you.

  1. How much Bible background do people need to have to be able to understand the gospel?
  2. What, exactly, is the good news that we proclaim?
  3. How does this change when we share it cross-culturally? i.e. can it be contextualised, and if so, what are some examples? What is core to the gospel across all cultures? (See Roland Muller, 'Honor & Shame' p102-103 for some ideas.)
These questions bug me when I read books by Tom Wright. All of a sudden the four spiritual laws don't seem to be long enough:
  1. God Loves You!
  2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
  3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
  4. If you want to accept Christ as your Saviour and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Saviour and Lord by praying a prayer like this: "Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Saviour. I want to serve you always."
So, what do we need to know about creation and covenant? Neither are mentioned in the four laws but Tom Wright makes a big deal about them. There's a useful review of his book here: review.

OK so I'm not going to give any answers here, because I want to generate some discussion.



Comments

  1. Tracy P.29 April 2016 at 05:35

    I'm glad you put this out here, David. I was hoping to get to peek in on some informed discussion. Formulas make me uneasy. Our churches our big on Vacation Bible School, and they drill the "ABCs of becoming a Christian". A=Admit to God that you are a sinner. I have led the training for years, and I always say that before A is #1, you are God's unique and treasured creation, born to bear his image--i.e. sin is NOT the essence of who you are. Would love more of your take on this. I studied "Surprised by Hope" with our small group several years ago, and might have to check this one out.

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    Replies
    1. Dawut3 May 2016 at 00:48

      This book seems to summarise his teaching in several others, but the layout is rather helpful. Re. starting with us as sinners, see my summary of an email discussion below:

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  2. Dawut3 May 2016 at 00:45

    I posted this blog on an email discussion group for Scripture Engagement specialists and got some great responses:
    - We need to ask 'Who is God?' first
    - Jesus 'manifesto' in Luke 4 (when he reads from Isaiah in the synagogue) is a good place to start
    - as is the Apostle's Creed
    - the 'good news' taught in the NT is all of Jesus' life, ministry, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension...
    - and is the fulfilment of OT prophecy of a coming Messiah
    - is to do with the coming of God's Kingdom on earth and in people's lives
    - starts way back in Gen 3:15
    - people don't need to understand all of the gospel in order to become a Christian
    - 1Cor 15:3-11 seems to be a summary of the gospel, as Paul saw it
    - if you want a theology of the atonement don't forget Christus Victor: http://www.ijfm.org/PDFs_IJFM/26_3_PDFs/26_3_Howell.pdf

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