What is "the Gospel?"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aslan10
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
SJacob7 said:
Ok, But how do I partake in this ‘good news’? How does the 'good news/gospel effect me personally? The descriptions I have read seem pretty vague.
Click to expand...
You partake in the “Good News” by partaking in the Eucharist. See, through partaking the Eucharist, Jesus Christ enters into us. And after He enters into us, we are to become Who we eat - We become Jesus’s body, called to be His hands and feet in the world. The Church is the bride of Christ - and the body of Christ, with Jesus at the head. We are to let the Eucharist transform us - and by letting it transform us, we are to transform the world so that it is a reflection of Heaven.

Regardless, the entire Gospel is summarized in the Nicene Creed (and the Apostle’s Creed, which is almost like a Cliff’s Notes version of the Nicene Creed). But it’s not enough to profess the faith - we need to live the faith. As St. James stated in his letter: “One could say ‘I have faith and you have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works!”

Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sins of the entire human race, being the perfect and only sacrifice that could ever possibly suffice, as He was both fully human and fully God. He then destroyed death once and for all by His resurrection - reopening the gates of Heaven to humankind. All He asks in return is faith in Him - and to show such faith through love of God and love of neighbor.

As Jesus knew that His Church would persevere until His return, He gave His Church the authority to teach on what decisions are truly loving God and neighbor and which decisions are filled with the false love that is self-centered (i.e., which decisions are sinful - as all sins are, at their root, filled with self-centerdness). Because the world often pushes self-centeredness as the way to happiness, it accuses the Church of being “out of touch”. But the Church is not “out of touch” - the Church’s mission is to show people how to better follow Jesus and how to show true love of God and neighbor.

Regardless, our mission as Christians must be to live our lives as beacons for others, so that others may come to know and believe in Jesus Christ, that they and we can enter Heaven.
 
Aslan10 said:
Hi all,

For a long time now I have been trying to figure out where I fit in the Christian religion. I grew up in an ultra reformed church, was part of an evangelical ministry through college but about my 3rd year I started questioning a lot of things. First God’s love for me (the non-denom church I attended was quite condemning), and then God’s existence–all the while I was still in ministry. My senior year I started attending an Anglican church (I still attend it) because I had discovered Church History but was reluctant about Catholicism, so I chose the “via media.” This allowed me to appease my desire for Church tradition and still holding on to some protestant doctrines that I found to be true. I am also a massive C.S. Lewis fan and I would be lying if I didn’t say that him being Anglican affected me. I have also attended a lot of Catholic masses, an Orthodox liturgy and stayed the weekend at a Benedictine monastery. Clearly, I am searching.

I really want this process to be over because it is taking a toll on me. I just want to know the truth and it is so hard to find because everyone says they have it. I post on here occasionally but mostly just like to read opinions. But today I listened to a debate about Justification between Tim Staples and a protestant who was Catholic, but now isn’t (forgot his name). Basically, I came away stumped again. I thought Tim was more prepared, but during the debate I kept hearing the word “Gospel.” And so I thought “What exactly is the Gospel?” I know it seems silly to ask but when you take time to think about it, the way you answer the question means everything. And with all that verbosity, I ask the question to you. What is the Gospel?

Thanks and God bless.
Click to expand...
The Gospel, however, is that doctrine which teaches what a man should believe in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins from God, since man has failed to keep the law of God and has transgressed it, his corrupted nature, thoughts, words, and deeds war against the law, and he is therefore subject to the wrath of God, to death, to temporal miseries, and to the punishment of hell-fire. The content of the Gospel is this, that the Son of God, Christ our Lord, himself assumed and bore the curse of the law and expiated and paid for all our sins, that through him alone we reenter the good graces of God, obtain forgiveness of sins through faith, are freed from death and all the punishments of sin, and are saved eternally. -From the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Chapter 5
*
 
Aslan10 said:
Hi all,

For a long time now I have been trying to figure out where I fit in the Christian religion. I grew up in an ultra reformed church, was part of an evangelical ministry through college but about my 3rd year I started questioning a lot of things. First God’s love for me (the non-denom church I attended was quite condemning), and then God’s existence–all the while I was still in ministry. My senior year I started attending an Anglican church (I still attend it) because I had discovered Church History but was reluctant about Catholicism, so I chose the “via media.” This allowed me to appease my desire for Church tradition and still holding on to some protestant doctrines that I found to be true. I am also a massive C.S. Lewis fan and I would be lying if I didn’t say that him being Anglican affected me. I have also attended a lot of Catholic masses, an Orthodox liturgy and stayed the weekend at a Benedictine monastery. Clearly, I am searching.

I really want this process to be over because it is taking a toll on me. I just want to know the truth and it is so hard to find because everyone says they have it. I post on here occasionally but mostly just like to read opinions. But today I listened to a debate about Justification between Tim Staples and a protestant who was Catholic, but now isn’t (forgot his name). Basically, I came away stumped again. I thought Tim was more prepared, but during the debate I kept hearing the word “Gospel.” And so I thought “What exactly is the Gospel?” I know it seems silly to ask but when you take time to think about it, the way you answer the question means everything. And with all that verbosity, I ask the question to you. What is the Gospel?

Thanks and God bless.
Click to expand...
Here’s an answer from the Savior’s own words via the Book of Mormon…

3 Nephi 27:13-21

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

PS - Latter-day Saints are big CS Lewis fans. 😃

I hope this helps…
 
gazelam said:
Here’s an answer from the Savior’s own words via the Book of Mormon…

3 Nephi 27:13-21

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

PS - Latter-day Saints are big CS Lewis fans. 😃

I hope this helps…
Click to expand...
No, it does not help. To the OP: The Book of Mormon is not part of the Christian Gospel. It is “another gospel” about which we have been warned not to follow. Do not be confused or led astray.
 
Aslan10 said:
Hi all,

For a long time now I have been trying to figure out where I fit in the Christian religion. I grew up in an ultra reformed church, was part of an evangelical ministry through college but about my 3rd year I started questioning a lot of things. First God’s love for me (the non-denom church I attended was quite condemning), and then God’s existence–all the while I was still in ministry. My senior year I started attending an Anglican church (I still attend it) because I had discovered Church History but was reluctant about Catholicism, so I chose the “via media.” This allowed me to appease my desire for Church tradition and still holding on to some protestant doctrines that I found to be true. I am also a massive C.S. Lewis fan and I would be lying if I didn’t say that him being Anglican affected me. I have also attended a lot of Catholic masses, an Orthodox liturgy and stayed the weekend at a Benedictine monastery. Clearly, I am searching.

I really want this process to be over because it is taking a toll on me. I just want to know the truth and it is so hard to find because everyone says they have it. I post on here occasionally but mostly just like to read opinions. But today I listened to a debate about Justification between Tim Staples and a protestant who was Catholic, but now isn’t (forgot his name). Basically, I came away stumped again. I thought Tim was more prepared, but during the debate I kept hearing the word “Gospel.” And so I thought “What exactly is the Gospel?” I know it seems silly to ask but when you take time to think about it, the way you answer the question means everything. And with all that verbosity, I ask the question to you. What is the Gospel?

Thanks and God bless.
Click to expand...
In addition to the great answers given from the orthodox Christian perspective, you may also be interested in checking out the website “Called to Communion-Reformation Meets Rome”, given your background. There are some excellent articles on there that give the Catholic perspective on issues related to our differences with Reformed and other types of Christians. Here are a few that I enjoy and that you may find helpful in your journey:

The Gospel and the Meaning of Life
The Bishops of History and the Catholic Faith
Christ Founded a Visible Church
Ecclesial Deism (one of my favorites, as it specifically helped me see why a claim of total apostasy of Christ’s Church, in addition to being unbiblical, is simply illogical)
The Grandeur of Covenant Theology-A Catholic Perspective
Holy Orders and the Sacrificial Priesthood

I completely understand your struggle. The best thing for you to do is to read your Bible, read more on what the ancient Christians believed and did, and most importantly, pray to God.
 
gazelam said:
Here’s an answer from the Savior’s own words via the Book of Mormon…

3 Nephi 27:13-21

13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.

18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

PS - Latter-day Saints are big CS Lewis fans. 😃

I hope this helps…
Click to expand...
Jesus Christ is the Good News, not your works.

LDS are fans of C.S. Lewis as long as there is an assignment of Mormon meanings to Lewis’ work, which makes you fans of yourselves, not of Lewis.

And proselytizing is against forum rules. Don’t think we don’t know it when we see it.
 
Hi everyone,

Thanks for the great responses that are being given, I’ve enjoyed reading them all. The cool thing is I haven’t seen very much of a difference in description between Catholic and Protestant.

However, it is once you receive this “gospel” and how you partake in it where things begin to change. And I guess that is where I struggle to understand the Catholic perspective the most because in almost all of the descriptions nobody mentions having to believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, the Eucharist, papal infallibility (I only list these because they are the most controversial, I am not struggling with these ideas) but these doctrines are all necessary for salvation according to Catholic tradition.

Were these doctrines understood by the early church to be absolutely necessary for salvation or was accepting the Gospel, being baptized and living a charitable life understood as the only necessary thing?
 
Gary_Sheldrake said:
Good Afternoon Aslan: Technically, the Gospel is any one of the first four books of the Christian Bible that tell of the life of Jesus Christ. The secondary definition is an idea or set of ideas that someone believes and often tries to make other people believe.

-Merriam-Webster.

I have a question for you if I may: If you could define it, what would you say has been your own experience of God, and how would fitting somewhere in the Christian religion change that? For instance, if you joined one Church or another, would God be more accessible? Or is it possible that you’ve been having your own experience with God all along and maybe just didn’t realize it? Perhaps no religion has God in a box all shrink wrapped and ready to take home, and perhaps he is closer than you know already. If that’s true, maybe your own aperture is the best lens through which to see Him. I’m offering this as an idea rather than a truth, but perhaps you can play with that a little and give it some thought if you would, or tell me what you think.

Thank you,
Gary
Click to expand...
Hi Gary,

Thank you for your encouragement. I don’t disbelieve that He is far from me. In fact, in my struggles I believe He is closer, even though He feels far away. However, certain truth claims by Protestant and Catholic churches imply this doesn’t matter–if I do not submit to the authority of the Catholic Church and believe all it teaches I could be lost for all eternity and if I do submit to the Catholic Church many Protestants believe I will be lost for all eternity because I would be believing in a “false Gospel.” So basically all humans are treading a thin line regardless of how they “feel.”

I just want to be right so that I can be with my Lord and there are so many truth claims out there that it becomes hard to know what is true and what is false.
 
Aslan10 said:
Hi Gary,

Thank you for your encouragement. I don’t disbelieve that He is far from me. In fact, in my struggles I believe He is closer, even though He feels far away. However, certain truth claims by Protestant and Catholic churches imply this doesn’t matter–if I do not submit to the authority of the Catholic Church and believe all it teaches I could be lost for all eternity and if I do submit to the Catholic Church many Protestants believe I will be lost for all eternity because I would be believing in a “false Gospel.” So basically all humans are treading a thin line regardless of how they “feel.”

I just want to be right so that I can be with my Lord and there are so many truth claims out there that it becomes hard to know what is true and what is false.
Click to expand...
The Roman Catholic Church does not teach, and we do not believe, that you be will lost for all eternity because you aren’t a Catholic.
 
Aslan10 said:
Hi everyone,

Thanks for the great responses that are being given, I’ve enjoyed reading them all. The cool thing is I haven’t seen very much of a difference in description between Catholic and Protestant.

However, it is once you receive this “gospel” and how you partake in it where things begin to change. And I guess that is where I struggle to understand the Catholic perspective the most because in almost all of the descriptions nobody mentions having to believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, the Eucharist, papal infallibility (I only list these because they are the most controversial, I am not struggling with these ideas) but these doctrines are all necessary for salvation according to Catholic tradition.

Were these doctrines understood by the early church to be absolutely necessary for salvation or was accepting the Gospel, being baptized and living a charitable life understood as the only necessary thing?
Click to expand...
Your list is broad and covers a lot of topics.

The Communion of Saints has always been understood, and that is where Marian dogmas fall. Crossing over into Christological beliefs, that developed over time, but as far as I know all mainline Protestants accept the first 7 ecumenical councils, so, our beliefs about Jesus are the same. Mary’s perpetual virginity and immaculate conception are related to what we believe about Jesus. That is, He was born of a virgin who was full of grace, and that these gifts from God were perpetual, never revoked. I’ve never read anything from the early Christian era that would indicate another belief than this.

The Eucharist is central and always has been. Absolutely understood in the early church.

Papal infallibility is in relationship to the authority given to Peter, and Jesus’ promise that His Church would be guided unto all truth. We understand this to mean that Jesus loves His Church, and protects her, as His bride. So the charism of papal infallibility is just that, a gift of the Holy Spirit. (Honestly, I don’t see why the charismatic Protestant break offs have a problem with this. One charisma is acceptable while another is not?)
 
RebeccaJ said:
The Roman Catholic Church does not teach, and we do not believe, that you be will lost for all eternity because you aren’t a Catholic.
Click to expand...
I thought it taught “no salvation outside the church”–unless you are invincibly ignorant. And I would not consider myself ignorant on the doctrines of the CC, which would technically mean I wasn’t in a state of grace. I just struggle to believe that some of its doctrines are true.
 
The Gospel is the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (inclusive) that chronicle the Life, Ministry, Teachings, Crucifixion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; without Whom we are ALL lost.
 
Aslan10 said:
I thought it taught “no salvation outside the church”–unless you are invincibly ignorant. And I would not consider myself ignorant on the doctrines of the CC, which would technically mean I wasn’t in a state of grace. I just struggle to believe that some of its doctrines are true.
Click to expand...
In the link to the CCC that Bookcat posted:

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

Being in a period of discernment, such as you are in, I’d say falls under “dictates of their conscience”. But you can/should consult a Catholic priest to discuss your concerns.
 
Aslan10 said:
I thought it taught “no salvation outside the church”–unless you are invincibly ignorant. And I would not consider myself ignorant on the doctrines of the CC, which would technically mean I wasn’t in a state of grace. I just struggle to believe that some of its doctrines are true.
Click to expand...
Good Evening Aslan:

The Catholic Church has developed a thoroughly inclusive understanding of soteriology in relation to other faiths, that has an explicitly theological foundation. St. Pope John Paul II explained that this approach to other religions is based upon sacred tradition, the church fathers and the very origins of the Christian revelation:

Quote:

"…You speak of many religions. Instead I will attempt to show the common fundamental element and the common root of these religions. The Council defined the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions in a specific document that begins with the words “Nostra aetate” (“In our time”). It is a concise and yet very rich document that authentically hands on the Tradition, faithful to the thought of the earliest Fathers of the Church.

From the beginning, Christian Revelation has viewed the spiritual history of man as including, in some way, all religions, thereby demonstrating the unity of humankind with regard to the eternal and ultimate destiny of man. The Council document speaks of this unity and links it with the current trend to bring humanity closer together through the resources available to our civilization. The Church sees the promotion of this unity as one of its duties: “There is only one community and it consists of all peoples. They have only one origin, since God inhabited the entire earth with the whole human race. And they have one ultimate destiny, God, whose providence, goodness, and plan for salvation extend to all. . . . Men turn to various religions to solve mysteries of the human condition, which today, as in earlier times, burden people’s hearts: the nature of man; the meaning and purpose of life; good and evil; the origin and purpose of suffering; the way to true happiness; death…and finally, the ultimate ineffable mystery which is the origin and destiny of our existence. From ancient times up to today all the various peoples have shared and continue to share an awareness of that enigmatic power that is present throughout the course of things and throughout the events of human life, and, in which, at times, even the Supreme Divinity or the Father is recognizable. This awareness and recognition imbue life with an intimate religious sense. Religions that are tied up with cultural progress strive to solve these issues with more refined concepts and a more precise language” (Nostra Aetate 1-2).

The words of the Council recall the conviction, long rooted in the Tradition, of the existence of the so-called semina Verbi (seeds of the Word), present in all religions. In the light of this conviction, the Church seeks to identify the semina Verbi present in the great traditions of the Far East, in order to trace a common path against the backdrop of the needs of the contemporary world. We can affirm that here the position of the Council is inspired by a truly universal concern…

In another passage the Council says that the Holy Spirit works effectively even outside the visible structure of the Church (cf. Lumen Gentium 13), making use of these very semina Verbi, that constitute a kind of common soteriological root present in all religions. I have been convinced of this on numerous occasions, both while visiting the countries of the Far East and while meeting representatives of those religions, especially during the historic meeting at Assisi, where we found ourselves gathered together praying for peace.

Thus, instead of marveling at the fact that Providence allows such a great variety of religions, we should be amazed at the number of common elements found within them.…”
  • Pope Saint John Paul II (1994), Crossing the Threshold of Hope
He is expressing a theological statement. Lumen Gentium is a dogmatic constitution and it explains that the Holy Spirit operates outside the church among non-believers. This is the document which states that Muslims worship the same God as Catholics. A dogmatic constitution of the Magisterium and not some paper produced by the Vatican City State. Note this section:

Quote:

The Council defined the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions in a specific document that begins with the words “Nostra aetate” (“In our time”). It is a concise and yet very rich document that authentically hands on the Tradition, faithful to the thought of the earliest Fathers of the Church. From the beginning, Christian Revelation has viewed the spiritual history of man as including, in some way, all religions - Blessed Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris (1963)

Thank you,
Gary
 
SJacob7 said:
Ok, But how do I partake in this ‘good news’? How does the 'good news/gospel effect me personally? The descriptions I have read seem pretty vague.
Click to expand...
Your job, and mine, is to believe in Jesus and his teachings. Have faith, hope and practice charity while you are still here on earth. In other words “love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” Once you believe in Jesus, you will begin a journey to discover exactly what Jesus said and what he did while he was here on earth. This journey
should lead you to certain truths. Start with the Bible but don’t stop there. Read the early history of the churches. I say churches because it has to be your own journey. Please begin it with much prayer. I’m praying for you. Draw us all closer to yourself, Oh Lord. Hold us in the palms of your hands and never let us go…
 
The good news is that although sinful men deserve God’s wrath and eternal punishment, God of his great mercy chose to save many by offering his own Son as a substitutionary sacrifice in their place.

The Good News is news, not advice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top