Confusing the Gospel

I think this is an excellent distinction between the gospel and the things that go hand in hand with it, from Graeme Goldsworthy's book "Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation".

The gospel is what we must believe in order to be saved. To believe the gospel is to put one's trust and confidence in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. To preach the gospel is faithfully to proclaim that historical event, along with the God-given interpretation of that event. It cannot be stressed too much that to confuse the gospel with certain important things that go hand in hand with it is to invite theological, hermeneutical and spiritual confusion. Such ingredients of preaching and teaching that we might want to link with the gospel would include the need for the gospel (sin and judgment), the means of receiving the benefits of the gospel (faith and repentance), the results or fruits of the gospel (regeneration, conversion, sanctification, glorification) and the results of rejecting it (wrath, judgment, hell). These, however we define and proclaim them, are not in themselves the gospel. If something is not what God did in and through the historical Jesus two thousand years ago, it is not the gospel. Thus Christians cannot 'live the gospel', as they are often exhorted to do. They can only believe it, proclaim it and seek to live consistently with it. Only Jesus lived (and died) the gospel. It is a once-for-all finished and perfected event done for us by another.

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Comments

[Erik]

"Matthew 4:23 (KJV)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

What was the Gospel Jesus taught then? Was it what this book claims, or is it something different altogether? Or are we talking about two different things?

[Luke Britt]

I have been reading alot of Goldsworthy recently and hope to take on this book next after I finish his preaching handbook.

One thing that I need clarification on when he says this in his books is that we cannot completely detach the fruits of the gospel from the gospel, can we? It's fruits are forever connected. There is no talk of justification, sanctification, or any other theological topic, for that matter, without linking it to the gospel. Therefore, I may not agree that you must separate all of the effects of the gospel from the gospel. The death, burial and resurrection of Christ is justification. It is sanctification. That's why Paul can explain the gospel through marriage, slavery, and any other facet of life. The marriage scenario in Ephesians 5 is gospel.

However, a distinction has to be made in the propositions of the gospel and the branches of the gospel. If 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 are the propositions of the gospel, then justification, sanctification, et all, are the branches.

It may be two ways to explain the same thing.

[amy]

"Thus Christians cannot 'live the gospel', as they are often exhorted to do. They can only believe it, proclaim it and seek to live consistently with it. Only Jesus lived (and died) the gospel. It is a once-for-all finished and perfected event done for us by another"
This is something I need to think more about. Thanks for this snipit from Goldworthy's book.

[Joey Melin]

I really enjoyed how Graeme articulated this point. I have been listening to Alistair Begg recently (because his scottish accent can keep my attention) and have been convicted to the need of reorienting my heart and mind. I set a standard in my head of what being a good christian is, and then when I do not meet that standard, I feel like I was a failure that day. I think it is a form of idolatry since it is based on me. I read Romans 7 last night and from what I understand it seemed that Paul had encountered the same struggle (or same theme). Anyhow, the article, Begg, (maybe a little Keller too) and mainly the scripture has called me to really pray and think through this topic in a longing for a change of mind and heart. Big picture: this all points to my need to fall and worship at the foot of Jesus, and remember what He has done; something I would not be able to accomplish in an infinite number of lives. (I don't know if anyone reads these, but I thought I would share my two cents).

[Stephen]

What are the chances? A guy who digs Goldsworthy, Arsenal and being missional all at the same time - respect!