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Best explanations of the Gospel?

punkdbass

I will be what I will be
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Well I think it is as you point out a relative term. What is great news to one person is not as exciting to another. Someone who fears death, to be told they will get to live forever and ever and have an awesome house in heaven and not nasty landlord hounding them for rent, has great meaning to them. To them the good news, is an escape from this toil here in their lives.

To another being freed from the burden of guilt and shame is good news. That they are loved and accepted unconditionally lifts their spirit and frees them to enjoy themselves and life. That's good news. But to those who are looking just for simple bread to put into their mouths to eat to survive to the next day, this is not so much a priority, and to trust that bread will come to them is better news.

So to say what is 'good news', really depends on what the need is, and what stress or pain is lifted. I would say the good news is that there is Peace in the core of all distress.
 
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Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks

gospel is simply the greek translation of 'good news'

Jesus preached 'good news'

Gods kingdom was near....that was good news.
 

4consideration

*
Premium Member
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks

I don't use those terms much, but have seen them used often. As mentioned by another poster, I think there are many reasons someone would use the terms. I have seen the phrases used in ways that I would agree with, and sometimes used in ways I strongly disagree with.

When I think about what might be considered the "good news" brought by Jesus, I think about his teachings, what they were about, and how they may best be applied in life.

I think Jesus intended his teachings to be applied by the individual, internally, first -- meaning that the proper use of his message, IMO, is to improve oneself and not as an excuse for condemning another because of one's own personal dislike of them, or their behavior -- or as instruction on how to properly to condemn others on God's behalf. The "good news" part, I think, is that he is giving a person information they can actually use, no matter what position they may hold in the community, or what their external circumstances (if they choose to do so) because it is useful information applicable to one of the few areas of life one actually does have command over -- one's internal world.

From there, I think, internal understanding and practice in life of his teachings would lead one to right behavior, where one might develop the ability to develop deeper understanding of why and what may constitutes right behavior in individual circumstances, situations that might often contain many variables, and not have to rely solely upon rules applied to external behavior.

(I don't mean this to imply that rules on external behavior are not valuable, but simply that the more people with an understanding, desire and practice of BEing loving to each other, I think the less rules governing external behavior are needed, in order for genuine (not forced) harmony and well-being for all to lead to peaceful living for all -- with a ripple effect being a certain a level of consciousness that has a large enough presence within the masses as to be accurately referred to as a sort of "heaven on earth".)

BTW, I do not think he was referring to specific beliefs about him, personally, as being necessary for a person in the often quoted statement, "I am the Way..."

I think he was referring to a way of Being he was demonstrating and teaching to his followers, and that his instruction included re-establishing/re-experiencing one's natural connection to God (as a child to his/her Father) within one's own heart-center.
 

ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
The first four books in the Christian scriptures are called "Gospels". Gospel, as was already explained means "Good News".
 

punkdbass

I will be what I will be
The first four books in the Christian scriptures are called "Gospels". Gospel, as was already explained means "Good News".

Yeah, I'm well aware of that, that was not my question. My question is what exactly is the "good news"?

@4consideration - thanks for your reply. What you said seems to make sense to me
 
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ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
Yeah, I'm well aware of that, that was not my question. My question is what exactly is the "good news"?

@4consideration - thanks for your reply. What you said seems to make sense to me

It's obvious. The writers of the gospels obviously believed that Jesus life and death and reported resurrection was good news.
 

Shiranui117

Pronounced Shee-ra-noo-ee
Premium Member
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks
Others have already explained the etymological meaning of "Gospel," coming from Greek "Evangelion", meaning "good news."

But, what makes the "good news" good news? What IS the good news?

The good news, is that God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him might have life everlasting (John 3:16.) The Word, Who is God, became flesh and dwelt among us, becoming one with us. He came to us as "Jesus," or "savior." He came to save us from death and sin, things we had been enslaved to for millennia. He experienced all that we are tempted with, taking on all our human experiences and redeeming them all to Himself. He taught us and showed us the way to God. But showing us the way to God wasn't enough--there was a chasm between us and God that needed to be bridged, a chasm caused by the rift in our relationship with God through sin.

So Jesus allowed Himself to be betrayed, beaten, abandoned, mocked, persecuted, tempted. He suffered the most miserable fate imaginable--forsaken by His friends, abandoned by His apostles, mocked by His enemies, spat upon and scourged and beaten, and executed in the most gruesome way devised by man. By all accounts, He died as the most disgraced and pitiable of people. But His death was in fact a victory--He used Himself as bait and dragged out the devil, sin and death. He entered Hades in the guise of a bondservant, just as every other person before Him. And then the trap was sprung.

What Death and Satan thought was just a normal man now chained forever to the dark world of death, turned out to be God, the Unchainable. One in the guise of a slave revealed Himself to be the Lord and God of all. One who appeared as a creation was, in fact, the Uncreated. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. Nothing can contain God, and so He burst free of Hades from the inside, busting open the gates of iron and brass, and giving humanity a way out of death. As Christ rose from the dead, He re-opened the gates of Paradise, enabling us to do likewise. To quote the Paschal Tropar in the Orthodox Church:

Christ is risen from the dead! By death He trampled death, and to those in the tombs, bestowing life!

The good news is that Christ is risen--and if we unite ourselves to Him, if we become new creations in Him, then we will be risen to new life as well. The iron grip of Death and sin over mankind has been broken by the death and Resurrection of Christ, and now we can really fulfill our mission of becoming more and more like God, being perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48), and becoming partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), an unending process we in the Orthodox Church call "theosis."

And, to sum all of that up with the end of St. John Chrysostom's Paschal Sermon:

Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And life is liberated!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen!
 
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ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
I also wanted to add [to my last post] that the writers of the Gospels thought it was good enough news to share with others. I'd say more, but Shiranui117 said it better than I can at this point in time.
 

Tdidymos

Member
Gospel is that Lord's prayer will be fully answered: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth."

The restoration of universal peace and harmony. No more sickness or death. No more crime, violence, or war. Peace everywhere. Humans will be restored to the perfection enjoyed by Adam and Eve prior to their sin. So in the future there will be “the re-creation” of the Paradise conditions that existed in the garden of Eden.

2.Peter 3:13: "But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell."

Psalm 46:9 "He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the military wagons with fire."

Revelation 21:3-5: "I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.”

Basically the restoration started back in Eden when God said: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel.” (Genesis 3:15) This talks about the war between forces of good and evil. Eventually Satan and his forces will be crushed. A major step in this restoration process was taken when Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so we could enjoy peaceful relationship with God through Christ Jesus.
 

steeltoes

Junior member
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks
The so called gospels probably are what cause the confusion. The epistle writers use the term gospel to mean good news, and the good news is basically ones salvation.

BibleGateway.com - Keyword Search: gospel
 

roger1440

I do stuff
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks
The “good news” or “gospel” would be the message of Jesus.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good newsis proclaimed to the poor. (Matthew 11:2-5)
 
The son of man and Jesus have said he was sent to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. He said he was sent to spread the truth which he also said was the word of God. A study of the word of the Lord in the OT and the Gospels will show that the good news is the word of God. The Epistles distort the good news, the word of God.

Reference;

Luke 4:43 NRSA
But he said to them, "I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose."

Isaiah 52:7 NRSA
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."

John 18:37 RSV

Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."

John 17:17 NIV
Sanctify them by the truth;(Father) your word is truth.
 
Let the Bible explain itself.Each Gospel account or Jesus's parable can be explained by other Bible references or historical research of the account.
 

dance-above

Member
This is my account: first of all I believe the kingdom of God is life and peace. And we all know that sinners do not please God " we have all fallen short of the glory of God" and that no sinner will inherit the kingdom of God. So the GOOD news is that Christ died for the ungodly. So that he who believes would not perish but have eternal life.
 

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
This is something I've often thought about before. Christians often use the terms "gospel" or "good news" in their discussions, but what exactly do they mean by these terms?

I remember when I looked into Christianity last year (read books by John Shelby Spong, NT Wright, CS Lewis), it got rather disorienting and confusing to see how "the gospel" or "the good news" could mean such vastly different things to different people. In the end it always left me wondering, so what exactly do these terms mean then, if they are to have any inherent meaning at all?

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to set up a thread where people could offer their own explanations or share links/articles to some of their favorite "explanations" of the gospel/good news.

Thanks

May be it's different for everyone? I would just suggest reading the Bible and reaching your own conclusion.
 
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