Gospel As The Word of God
The Gospel, which translates literally to “good news,” is best understood as the message of the good news that God offers salvation to humankind through Jesus (John 3:16-17). The Gospel consists of many different stories, parables, teachings, and more—all meant to point to the good news of Jesus and the grace and mercy God offers through him. The Bible is the key source of the Gospel, as it is the most detailed and thorough record of Jesus’ words and teachings.
The Bible contains four parts, called Gospels, and they are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel account contains unique and unique perspectives on Jesus’ ministry and mission. Through these four Gospel accounts, we learn of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. The four Gospels paint a holistic picture of the Good News, including what came before and after Jesus and his ministry (Romans 8:29-30).
Many theologians have gone a step further and have argued that the Gospels are an inspired and authoritative source of truth for Christianity’s beliefs and practices. The great Christian teacher Augustine declared that the “scriptures themselves are the gospel,” and he was followed contemporary theologians such as Thomas Aquinas, who referred to the Gospels as the “witness of the truth.” Together, the four Gospels provide crucial evidence for the existence and deity of Jesus the Christ.
Each Gospel has witnessed a synergistic relationship between the four accounts—and the greater Biblical narrative—that helps substantiate the validity of the claims made by Jesus. As seen in Luke 4:18, for example, Jesus proclaims to all that he “has come to proclaim good news to the poor and to proclaim freedom for the captives and to set the prisoners free.” Furthermore, the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus in each gospel provide serious cause for consideration by allowing readers to draw connections and notices between the events and the prophecies written in the Old Testament.
Finally, the Bible also chronicles how ordinary people lived in response to Jesus’s teachings. Paul tells us that as believers we are “created in Christ’s image” (Ephesians 2:10). This means that believers must strive to live obediently to the principles and values Jesus taught. Together, these components of the Gospel—historical evidence, theological beliefs, narratives, and the message of hope—provide the adequate foundation of the Christian faith.
Reliance on the Bible
For Christians, the Bible reigns supreme as the source of truth—it is the ultimate authority for what one should believe and practice as a saint and follower of Christ. Ironically, this reliance on the Bible for truth and authority has made Christianity vulnerable to those who would manipulate or distort its meaning to fit their own agenda.
To begin, the Bible has been used to justify gender roles, sexual strictures, and various forms of discrimination (Deuteronomy 22: 28-29). Unfortunately, people have misinterpreted passages to provide authority for patriarchal gender roles and stereotypes.
Moreover, some have used Scriptures to justify civil disobedience, rampant regulation of minor details, and even hatred of those who do not follow the same faith. There has also been no limit in the number of Christian denominations that exist as a result of these differences—sometimes to the point of splintering over differing views on the same set of Bible passages.
On the other hand, some Christians reject biblical literalism and argue that there are other underlying meanings in different passages of Scripture. They reason that because Biblical truths were meant for ancient people in their own context, they must be interpreted in the light of current historical and cultural contexts.
In addition, there are cases where difficult portions of the Bible are difficult to understand and many different opinions are available. In these cases, people rely on trustworthy theologians and pastors to provide context and explanation to bring clarity. Christians often use a variety of methods to gain further insight when passages are hard to understand. This can include looking at both historical and cultural interpretations of text, discerning the context from the books of history and law, assessing the literary genres and their interpretations, and understanding the background authors. In cases like this, the Bible can still be trusted to remain the source of truth and authority.
Uniting Principle
One of the key elements that unites Christianity is the common understanding of the Bible—ashared reverence for the Word of God. Christians do not agree on everything, yet they are still unified by their faith and by their appreciation of the Bible as the source of authority. This shared understanding of Scripture enables Christians to recognize Jesus Christ as the only way to know God, the call to holiness and purity, the commitment to loving their neighbor, and the obligation to seek justice (Acts 17:30-31).
Furthermore, the Bible is a living source of truth—it can be used to direct and guide us today. Not only does the Bible direct us spiritually, but it also provides moral instruction, reveals God’s love, and shows us the way to human flourishing. In Colossians 3:16, Paul tells us that the Scriptures contain “all wisdom and knowledge,” and thus, teaches us how to live.
Also, the Bible can be used for comfort when we experience trials and difficulties. Isaiah 43:2 tells us that, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” This verse is extremely uplifting and it offers an incredible hope. Additionally, the Bible encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith no matter how difficult life may be (John 16:33).
Conclusion
The Gospel, as recorded in the Bible, is the ultimate source of good news. It is through the Gospel that we learn of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection; and it is the Gospel that directs us on how to live our lives. Christians are unified by their understanding and reliance on the Bible. Through the Bible, Christians can find comfort, hope, and moral instruction needed to navigate our lives—most importantly, the Bible reveals God’s great love for us.
