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In a few words or less, describe what the term “Gospel” means to you. How would you describe the essence of what Jesus taught? “As I have loved you, love one another.” I don’t know what it means to me anymore. It used to mean the Sermon on the Mount and the lessons in the four gospels before I was baptized –and was experiencing a different Church…then, when I was baptized Mormon, it meant Faith, Repentence, Baptism, Gift of the HOly Ghost, with the Baptism meaning buying into all the LDS commandments, the Church, in addition to the the idea of following Christ. Now….I’m not sure what it means to me. In a way, my view of it has been confused, or muddied by my experiences in the LDS Church which entwine policy and practice with Christianity.
I think this is a really good question, and one that I need to reconstruct.
First cut — try to do what Jesus would do in the situations you confront every day. Not necessarily what is expected from the Church, but what Jesus would do. How did he react to people when they were unkind to him? How did he react when he was treated unjustly? What was his life about? These are important questions that come to mind.
‘ TheGospel’ is one of those phrases that I cringe at, nowadays. I’m not sure what it means, but in the context it is typically used it seems to have been co-opted to include everything from food storage to the boy scouts. “The Gospel” = “the church”, and all that that implies, which to me seems very different from the original meaning. But that wasn’t your question. To me it means the two great commandments: Love God, and your fellow man as yourself.
To me the word gospel basically means the idea that Jesus is alive, not that I think he had to be physically resurrected exactly the way the Bible says but it looks like something inspired Paul to go out of his way and risk his own life to spread the “good news” and I prefer to think it wasn’t just some complete fluke or craziness. As far the essence of what Jesus taught I think what stands out is the idea of being nice to people even if it’s not convenient or if they don’t really deserve it (“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”). The way of the Savior Jesus Christ. He epitomizes the gospel despite man’s efforts to make it too complicated. doug wrote:‘
TheGospel’ is one of those phrases that I cringe at, nowadays. I’m not sure what it means, but in the context it is typically used it seems to have been co-opted to include everything from food storage to the boy scouts. “The Gospel” = “the church”, and all that that implies, which to me seems very different from the original meaning. But that wasn’t your question. But that is the precise reason I’m not sure what the personal meaning is to me. I hadn’t really considered this question for a very long time due to the static in between myself and the Gospel as Jesus preached it.
Which is why I’m enjoying reading what everyone thinks.
For me: “Gospel” = “Good News”
“Good News” = “I am a child of God.”
There is SO much included in that statement, but it is the core meaning for me.
Ironically, I posted something this morning on my personal blog that talks a bit about that idea. If anyone is interested, the link is:
“I Want My Effort to Become Christ-Like to Mean Something Real”( http://thingsofmysoul.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-want-my-effort-to-become-christ-like.html Thanks for all your thoughts. For me all that Jesus taught boils down to two words: Love and Salvation. I like to think about Salvation in the context of what we can do here and now as well as what may come in the next life.
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much” ~ Luke 7:47 I forgot to add something that is deeply central to my view of “the Gospel of Jesus Christ”: ALLpeople, even the most lowly and despised, are children of God in the EXACT same way I am. In fact, I think that might be the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, since the Jews at the time already believed they were God’s chosen people. Jesus accepted that claim (that God has chosen people) – and then turned it on its head by serving and teaching, explicitly, those who were excluded by the “mainstream” religious leaders. He taught that God loves those who are rejected by others – the lowest of the low. He taught that the Kingdom of God isn’t complete unless it includes those who normally and naturally are excluded from the counterfeit kingdom we tend to create.
Brad wrote an amazing post on BCC almost four years ago that I never will forget. I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone here:
“Thoughts on the Meaning of the Birth of Jesus” (
http://bycommonconsent.com/2007/12/08/thoughts-on-the-meaning-of-the-birth-of-jesus/ I think it is generally is best to let the scriptures define what something means. Paul does a great job in 1st Corinthians stating: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
to know God and Jesus To know and believe you are known. That God loves us despite our faults, and will find ways to help us. Faith AND works.
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