What is the gospel? I would be interested in your definition and interpretation of the term. We’ve all heard that it is the English translation of a Greek term (evangelion or evangelizo) meaning “Good message” or “Good News”. And, it is most certainly, as the message of God’s love to and redemption of us in Christ, Good News.
Most Chrisitians see, or understand, it as “good news” that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin so that we might become the children of God through faith alone in Christ alone and be given eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Paul seems to make it clear that the Gospel he preached was centered on the death of Jesus for Sin, His burial, and His bodily resurrection:
[1Corinthians 15:1-8 NASB95] 1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
In Jesus’ famous discourse with Nicodemus He focuses on a foreshadowed picture of His being lifted up on a cross for salvation and deliverance, and the need of faith or believing to receive eternal life.
[John 3:14-16 NASB95] 14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Verse 16 here is often said to hold the entirety of the Gospel in a verse in 5 points. One for each finger on your hand 1) God, 2) Man, 3) Jesus, 4) Faith, 5) Eternal Life. GOD so loved the world (MAN) that He gave His only begotten son (JESUS), that whoever believes (Faith) in Him shall not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE.
Simple outline for the deep truth of the love of God in Christ providing salvation and deliverance from death and its associated curses, and a way to enjoy life with Him forever without end.
The Gospel really seems to be quite straightforward and easily understood. Yet, it is so often, and so readily rejected by so many. Or, is it that it is just misunderstood? And that, perhaps, that misunderstanding is in some part, or maybe a great part, because it is misrepresented by those charged with carrying it and delivering it.
I could be lengthy in this communication in expressing my thoughts and opinions here. But let it suffice to say that in our culture Christianity is on a decline.
Recent research indicates younger generations are not choosing atheism to any greater degree, but they are choosing nothing or to be unaffiliated with any faith or religion. (Keep in mind, however, that secular humanism has taken its toll, but generally would not be a selection as a religion in any poll. Even though it has been identified as a religion by the courts.) Here is an excerpt from an article on recent research of Millennials and Gen Z*:
Pew Research says Generation Z includes anyone born in 1997 or later.4 Springtide Research Institute agrees, putting Generation Z at ages 13–25 in their report The State of Religion & Young People 2020.5
Millennials are leaving church
According to The Kaleidoscope Effect: What Emerging Generations Seek in Leaders:
Whereas 85% of the silent generation (born 1928–1945) call themselves Christians, just 56% of today’s younger Millennials (born 1990–1996) do the same, even though the vast majority (about 8 in 10) was raised in religious homes. Over the past 70 years, each successive generation has included fewer and fewer Christians, and the overwhelming majority of the Christians remaining today are over the age of 35.6
Why Millennials Are Skipping Church and Not Going Back shares more about the rapid decrease in millennials at church:
The drop-off has been most pronounced among people ages 23 to 38. In 2019, roughly two-thirds attend worship services “a few times a year” or less, and 4 in 10 say they seldom or never go. A decade ago, it was more than half and only 3 in 10, respectively.7
Gen Z are leaving church
According to Springtide Research’s The State of Religion and Young People report, “Nearly 40% of young people ages 13–25 indicate that they are unaffiliated, whether agnostic, atheist, or ‘nothing in particular.’”8
The Nones: Where They Come From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going gives additional insight:
More people are entering adulthood without a religious affiliation, and they become more likely to stay a none as they age. To put a fine point on this, nearly a third of people who were born between 1990 and 1994 had no religious affiliation between the ages of eight and thirty-five.9
And even when the younger generation is in church, they’re not embracing Christianity.
Interesting information to consider. As the church, those that carry the evangel, the message or good news, it should give us pause regarding our effectiveness of being salt and light.
One thing I think is a lacking component of the gospel we share in the Western culture today in our presentation of the Gospel is a clear call to discipleship and its costs. That failure has watered down the message to some degree, in my opinion, perhaps as much as Constantine making Christianity a state religion among a nation of pagans.
Is there a difference between the Gospel of Salvation and the Gospel of The Kingdom? Is there a difference between coming to get your needs met, and a call to “come follow”? What is the difference between keeping rote religion as the rich young ruler evidently did, and being willing to sell all that you have and come to follow Jesus?
As I said, I could be lengthy here. I have many thoughts. But for now, I will leave it for your thoughts and consideration and for our discussion and discourse. I’d be interested in what you think, and what the Lord does through the likes of you and me individually and corporately
*from an Millinnials & Gen Z Are Leaving The Church. What Can We Do? by Mary Jahnke on Logos.com