Gospel

Gospel / Religion — 2 Comments
10
Mar 10

Distinguishing Between the Gospel and Religion


“…unless you distinguish the Gospel from religion and moralism, they assume that you are simply asking them to become better people…” -Tim Keller

In the video above, Tim Keller discusses the importance of distinguishing between the gospel and religion and moralism, especially when sharing with the irreligious and secular.

Knowledge of Sin Through the Law

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:19-28)

Beauty Outside – Death Inside

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27-28)

We have been called to make disciples, not Pharisees. How tragic it would be if, in an attempt to share the gospel, I led one to believe that the answer to irreligion is religion or moralism.


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Gospel / Jesus — 3 Comments
8
Dec 09

Joy in All Things…

…even a brain tumor.

Jesus changes everything.

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21
Jul 09

Fuzzy Math & the Gospel – Part 1

Fuzzy Jesus Math

Jesus plus anything spoils everything.

Donald James Parker, a writer for the Sioux Falls Christian Examiner, wrote an interesting article on Sunday challenging this very idea.  He begins the article by posing the following question about this statement:

Let’s see – what is the book-chapter-verse reference for that pithy little epigram?

Unfortunately, this question sets the tone for everything that follows as Parker picks and chooses verses (namely from the Gospels) that, he claims, challenge the notion that “We must only trust that the death of Jesus on the cross was all that was necessary for us to gain eternal life.”

Rarely do I write the type of post that is to follow – that is, a direct, negative response. However, due to the nature of the topic (the Gospel and salvation) and the implications of Parker’s conclusions, I am compelled to write. My collective response will take form over the next few Foolish Cross posts.

Jesus Knows Best?

As Parker states, Jesus is the best source of truth regarding this issue:

Who would probably be the best source for this type of information? Hmm. Let me take a wild eyed guess and suggest Jesus might be knowledgeable on this subject since it was His flesh that was shredded, His blood that was shed, and His name that was mocked by the Roman soldiers and the mob.

I agree with Parker in that Jesus is very knowledgeable on the subject of salvation. However, he seems to have placed a greater emphasis upon and weight upon the words of Jesus, forgetting that:

All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16, ESV)

All Scripture is God-breathed – not merely those words written in red letters. Further, the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life are not presented to us in a vacuum, but rather, in the context of the entire Bible.  Therefore, one is certainly safe to use the entire Bible (and should use the entire Bible) in developing a theology of salvation. To limit oneself to four books is dangerous and can result in an incomplete picture. All of Scripture points to the incredible Gospel of Jesus the Christ!

Old Testament, for Example

Is not the Exodus a picture of the Gospel? Christians have been rescued from slavery just as the Israelites were.

Jesus referenced manna when calling himself the “Bread of Life?”

The Day of Atonement? Jesus is high priest, sacrifice, and scapegoat. His body broken, the curtain rent. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the perfect Yom Kippur.

Abraham and the near-sacrifice of his son Isaac? The son of Abraham is spared, the Son of God is not.

The suffering servant in Isaiah?

What is lost if I disregard these illustrations? How has my understanding of the Gospel changed?

6 Reasons

Parker produces six examples of things that (Jesus said) one must do in order to attain salvation. In Part 2 I will begin to look at each these items.

Until then, feel free to comment below.  Do you agree or disagree with my comments thus far? Let’s converse…

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18
May 09

Accountability, Bailouts, and the Gospel

We have entered an era of bailouts. I have been thinking a great deal about this “new era” and a number of questions have come to my mind – questions I believe Christians in American should be pondering if we are going to adapt and reach future generations with the message of the Gospel.

Consider:

  • Will the concept of the bailout play a significant role in the shaping of future generations of Americans?
  • How will the American concept of accountability and justice change in an age of bailouts?
  • What affect will the bailout have on Americans’ willingness to accept their need for a savior in the presence of a most holy and just God?
  • Will it be more difficult to convince Americans of their sinfulness and depravity?  Further, will it be more difficult for Americans to understand that their sin comes with wages earned: death?

Challenges and Opportunities

dollar sign

Ultimately, this discussion boils down to one question: Will this age of bailouts have an impact on the spreading of the Gospel in America? As I think about the above questions, I am convinced that there are challenges ahead. Opportunities await as well, however. Consider this passage from Colossians 2:

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-14, ESV)

What a great concept with which we might engage those around us! Use current events and news headlines to lead into discussions about the Gospel and the cancelling of our debt by Jesus upon the cross. Compare and contrast the worldly concept of a bailout with Jesus’ perfect act of atonement upon the cross.

Challenges or opportunities? All things considered, it is important to remember that God’s perfect and sovereign will is at work.

 

What do you think? Does an age of bailouts present challenges to the Gospel in America? Opportunities?

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11
Apr 09

Who Would Want a Broken Rose?


A good friend of mine shared this Matt Chandler clip with me from the 2008 Desiring God Conference for Pastors.  What a terrific reminder it is of the responsibility that comes with preaching the Gospel and the immediate consequences of doing it improperly or incorrectly.

It is also relevant this Easter weekend, to note that Christ died for the sinner, the ungodly, the unrighteous, the dirty, the defiled, the unclean, the broken, the hopeless, and the unholy.

Apart from Christ, I was certainly all of these.  May I never convince myself of anything different.

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