What is the Gospel?
The gospel is the good news of God’s saving activity in the person and work of Jesus. Specifically, this includes his incarnation in which Jesus took to himself full (yet sinless) human nature; his sinless life which fulfilled the perfect law of God; his substitutionary death which paid the penalty for man’s sin and satisfied the righteous wrath of God; his resurrection demonstrating his victory over death and the evil powers; and his glorification and ascension to the right hand of the Father where he now reigns and intercedes for the church.
In other words, we are sinners but Christ died the death we deserve, that we might have the reward that he deserves which includes eternal life – if we believe.
HT: Jeff Purswell, Dean of Pastors College
Hellow, nice to meet you.
My name is sun-hyung Jeong, Korean.
May i ask your favor about my bad english…?
…
I have a question about Gospel.
I think Gospel indiicates always the same thing which you say in the above lecture. And it is true.
But can it be changed sometimes? because of different culture.
For example, Jesus is Jew, white. So generally, many believed people can make some God’s figure as white man. But in the black culture, God’s figure can be described as black man. And other example, in Iban tribes, they do Headhunting ceremonies still. Then how do we accept these things? According Ibans, these ceremonies are a way of their life. Then can it be justified just to compel Gospel and stop it?
Hello Sun-Hyung, and thank you for your question. Jesus is depicted as black or white in an unrealistic manner, often in order than cultures may be more comfortable with his image. This is dangerous because the depictions are inaccurate, but moreso because of the idea that we must accommodate other cultures in such a way.
This brings us to the headhunting ceremonies of the Iban. If these ceremonies are contrary to the teaching of the Bible or if they are religious practices that are in conflict, then believers among them must cease their participation. In the past, such as in China, missionaries have accommodated other cultures and allowed the use of traditional religious language and practices. In Islamic countries today, some Christians call themselves Muslim and call God by Allah. Yet history has shown that these practices have been unsuccessful. The local people eventually realize they can stay with their old religions since Christianity appears to them to be compatible, so there is no reason to change.
The idea that something is ingrained in culture and a “way of life” is popular today, but does not stand up to Scripture. In Corinth the norm was sexual promiscuity, and Paul writes to them that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, including thieves, greedy, drunkards, and homosexuals. And such were some of the believers, but they had been washed and cleansed. No longer did they practice the acts that were commonplace and accepted among their people. So, if Scripture directly or by its principles restricts a certain activity, then regardless of its popularity in culture the believers must abstain.
Thank you for your answer. It is very helpful for me to understand Gospel and Christian’s way of life.
In Korea, there are not only many believers but also many people who criticize the Christianity because of Believers’ closed attitudes. Unbelievers often think that the Chtistian emphasize ‘Love’ and ‘Forgiveness’, but they don’t practice it. Unbeliever think the Christian just force people with Scripture.
In this Society, generally, homosexual or transsexual are a low rank group or poor group. Then, how do we accept them? Is it right, just we say ‘You are break the rule, so we can not accept you.’?
In Matthew 11:5, Jesus says ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosyare cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.’
And again in John 9:1~5, ‘As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ‘
How do we accept these part?
Is it the right way that We, believers, just discipline ourselves in Jesus? It is true that we have to follow the Lord’s words; Scripture. But we are menbers of society, too. We can not always turn away from society problems. Then what is the right way to participate in society as Christian? I think only forcing people by Scripture is not the right way. Scripture was influenced by Jew’s culture in that age, too. For example, in Scripture, generally, women was regarded as men’s properties. But it is not the true today. I agree with you that we must follow Scripture but is it also true we need right interpretation in today’s society?