The Biblical Resources Group for Ethnos360 continues to work on doctrinal papers for the mission. We meet once a week to discuss the papers that we are working on. So, far we have revised 22 papers that were written nearly 20 years ago. We have also written 3 new papers. And we are currently writing a new paper called “God’s Good News” which speaks to the doctrine of salvation.
In the evangelical world today, there are many confusing ideas as to how a lost person can be saved. When Paul and Silas were asked by the Philippian Jailer how to be saved, their answer was simple: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dr. J. B. Hixson wrote Getting the Gospel Wrong. In that book, he explains the confusion that exists today in many gospel presentations. He wrote:
Vince Lombardi is widely recognized as one of the greatest football coaches of all time. Legend has it that on one occasion, after a particularly tough loss for his team, he gathered his players in the locker room for the usual postgame speech. In a short but poignant statement the coach cut right to the heart of the matter. Holding up a football, Lombardi quipped, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” His point was not lost on the players: Their performance in the game that just concluded had evidenced an utter lack of competency in the very basic fundamentals of the game.
A survey of the state of American evangelicalism reveals a similar incompetency when it comes to the basics of the Christian faith, namely, the gospel. There is a crisis regarding the nature of the gospel within evangelical theology today and very little is being done to address the issue. While most evangelicals agree that Jesus Christ is the object of saving faith, there is widespread inconsistency regarding the specific content of saving faith. What is it about Jesus Christ that one must believe in order to have eternal life? Are there certain nonnegotiable truths that must be included in a gospel presentation in order for it to be considered the pure gospel? An abandonment of certainty, as well as a general disdain for absolute truth within the postmodern ideological milieu, have created fertile ground for erroneous gospel presentations—each competing for legitimacy within the evangelical church at large.…
What is needed today is a Lombardi-style critique in which pastors and evangelical leaders confidently raise their Bibles and remind the church, “This is the gospel!”
Our newest paper is an attempt to bring some clarity to this issue. Your prayers for this project are much appreciated.
Blessings,
Bob
* * *
Keep the Gospel Clear
Keep the issue clear:
The issue is sin, and Who is going to forgive it.
Keep the direction clear:
It is from the Giver to the recipient. The gift of righteousness is given when you believe.
Keep the requirements clear:
It is salvation through FAITH.
There is nothing more!
―Dr. Charles Ryrie
No comments:
Post a Comment