Definition of Evangelism: What is the Gospel?
Our definition of evangelism (from the PCUSA) has both:
- A message to share (”joyfully sharing the good news of the sovereign love of God)
- A destination (”calling people to . . . . . “)
The good news is the gospel. This is what gospel means in its most basic form: “good news.”
However, we have developed a rich theological heritage around that word that gives it a more fuller meaning. As such, we should ask “What is the gospel?”
What is the Gospel?
The PC USA definition of evangelism elaborates one aspect: “the good news of the sovereign love of God.” It doesn’t contain a mention of sin (though indirectly in the call to action part in “to repentance”).
This week, I’m reading Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, Scott McKnight. It is subtitled “A Gospel for all of us.” Scott is a prolific writer at www.JesusCreed.org and has a large following on his blog. I had him as a exegesis professor during my studies at Seminary in the 1990s. I’ve commented on him before (see category Scott McKnight).
In his introduction he writes that to get a conversation started among his students, he’ll ask the question “What is the gospel?”
He typically receives answers that fall into three categories:
- Jesus came to earth to die for my sins so I can be forgiven and go to heaven to be with God for eternity.
- Jesus came to liberate us from oppression, systemic evil, slavery, so there would be justice and peace.
- Being part of the church.
How does Scott’s answer the question? It takes him the book to develop this:
“The work of God to restore humans to union with God and communion with others, in the context of a community, for the good of others and the world” (Introduction to Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, xiii).
Scott’s answer goes beyond focus on the love of God and into restoration of covenant community.
In fact, God’s destiny in history is a redeemed community (I’ll have more to say in a few weeks about this).
Let me ask you this?
How would you define gospel? (I can’t believe I’ve not asked this question here before). I invite your comments.
See our prior posts
- Definition of Evangelism: What Evangelism Isn’t
- Part 1: What is Evangelism
- Part 2: Joyfully Sharing the Good News
- Part 3: The sovereign Love of God
- Part 4: Calling People to
- Part 5:
- More definitions of Evangelism 1
- More definitions of Evangelism 2
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The Gospel is basic and simple. Man’s heart is not right before God. His core being is evil. He is sinful.
God does and will not accept him. His righteousness will not make him right. God hates sin in mankind. He is a righteous God. The only way we can come before him, communicate with Him, is through His Son’s righteousness. He was the only one who was sinless and is righteousness. By faith in Him, we are made right and thus can have a relationship with a Holy God. Oh yea, unless I forget, it was and is through His love that He gave His Son as the anointing sacrifice for our sins so we could be made right.
God bless you!
Thanks for chiming in. I enjoy reading your blog at The Word on the Street as well.
I think the point that McKnight makes says yes and more. The more part is some of the implications and consequences of coming to faith.
He’s not going beyond or outside of orthodoxy, but expressing the richness of the gospel, the beauty of grace, and the impact of the community of faith. It’s an excellent book that I recommend.
Chris
EvaneglismCoach
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