What is the Gospel?

What is the gospel? This question of debate for church historians and church-goers receives plenty of mileage, and for good reason. The answer to this question establishes the foundation for the Christian faith. If someone swings and misses and does not know the gospel rightly, they do not understand their own faith, or perhaps, they have no faith. It is curious that in such an educated generation where information can be had in a matter of seconds, one's personal faith can be confusing to themselves. Ask any average Joe in the pew what he believes and an unthoughtful well rehearsed Sunday school answer falls from his mouth. Ask the average Jane if she believes in hell and an absolute "no" is affirmed, only to contradict the belief of her local church (and the Bible).

Perhaps I am overstating the severity of the issue and being dishonest. This could be a fair criticism if proven. After all, there are plenty of well thought-out Christians who know God and serve Him rightly. However, I think my generalizations are true, and here is why. First, the aforementioned access to information has cluttered the mind of people. Information is not bad but the gospel gets lost in the shuffle with other beliefs, religions, and worldviews. The fact of the matter is, people do not have time to consider all the "facts." The busyness of life offers so much more. Asking the question, "why do I believe what I believe" means ciphering through what everyone else believes which becomes taxing. It is best to ignore the tough questions altogether. And you know what? I can empathize. In short Americans have become complacent with their thoughts.

Second, we avoid offending people. If I had a nickel for everything I heard "to each one their own" or "all roads lead to Rome" I would have my student loans paid off and enough money to retire. This pluralistic mentality is conveyed by the media and the academy. But here the problems lies; Jesus plus a pluralistic philosophy is no Jesus at all. At the very least he is not the Jesus read about in the four biblical Gospels. Therefore, it goes without saying that the gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ - gets reworked, reworded and watered down. All because we refuse to offend people. Saint Paul says the gospel is offensive. I agree with Paul.

So what is the gospel? Perhaps asked more pointedly, what is the unadulterated gospel? The gospel is robust, but not pluralistic. It is knowledge, but simple to grasp. The gospel loves, but never without justice. The gospel brings hope, but only for those who believe. The gospel brings Glory to God through the restoration of individuals. The gospel is just as relevant today as it was the day Christ died on a cross.