My friends compose a multitude of theological belief systems. While some are much more conservative, others are much more liberal. And among some of these more liberal friends there is a question about what makes the Gospel good news. The contention is this: given that Scripture teaches more will be in hell than in heaven, how can the so-called “Gospel” actually be considered good news? If it is true that for many, their eternities will be spent away from God, in torment, how is the Gospel good news to them?
And so these friends have turned to a theology which says orthodox Christianity has it all wrong: the good news is not that some will get in and some will get out, but that in the unconditional, no-holds-barred love of God, all will be saved. Because that, they say, would be good news for all people.
Now, to some extent they are right, that would be good news…for those people who don’t give a damn about God or others. But, if you stop to think about it, that wouldn’t really be good news for the rest of us. That issue aside, though there’s a fundamental flaw in logic, here.
The Gospel is Good News Because Everyone Stands To Benefit From It…Not Because Everyone Actually Does Benefit From It
By way of example, if 20 people walked into Target and were offered free digital cameras, but only 10 took the camera and the other 10 didn’t because they liked their cameras just fine, that doesn’t cease to be good news…for anyone. The goodness of the offer, in other words, is not contingent on whether people cash in on it.
Instead, the Gospel is good news precisely because it is indiscriminate in its offer. There is no person to whom salvation is not offered regardless of their race, sex, status, religion, or anything else. Additionally, the Gospel is not contingent on our ability to perform. No amount of good works or righteousness can accomplish this salvation for us. It is 100% free. It is everyone’s for the taking. The only condition is that we accept it.
And, even if someone refuses to do so, it is good news, indeed.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Christianity, Gospel, Heaven, hell, Redemption, Salvation, Theology
Honestly, it seems like Christian semantics to me. Christians put our own terms on things all the time. I personally think that the “good news” is really the story of Jesus, and his specific teachings. It is good news because Jesus lived a perfect life and defeated sin, something that we could not do without him, therefore giving us our only hope of salvation, something that I would have to say is pretty good news.
In all honesty though, I don’t think it is that big of a deal. “Good News”, “Bad news, mixed in with some hope”, “Read this if you want even the slightest chance,” Call it whatever you want, it really doesn’t matter.
Wait, I’m confused…what seems like Christian semantics?
The good news is that “Christ was Gods way of not giving up on His dream for Mankind”. Free gift..ours for the taking..now the way I see it, there is no better news than that!!