New! New! New!
Putting the gospel and theology in the right order
- There are preachers and not just teachers; and.
- For the same reason.
- There are journalists and not just commentators.
- The reason is that there is news.
- Not just comments.
- News must be made public if at least it’s good news.
- Later.
- You may need to explain and argue.
- Close to them.
The simplest believers should remember this. Christianity is news, arlier than theology, imagine the scene: there is a horrible situation in which many people are hostages and their lives are in danger, there seems to be no way to save or escape them, that is terrible. In secret, the authorities are planning a daring attack and rescue, but suddenly there is an invasion. The soldiers manage, with incredible losses, to prepare a way out, countless people begin to escape. The news spread quickly: “There’s a way out!There’s a tunnel to freedom?”
Christianity is first and foremost news; then theology
60 years ago, J. Gresham Machen liked to point this out, because he was totally attached to the reality that Christianity is essentially facts. The news is about facts, not just ideas. Christianity refers to something that really happened, not just someone’s ideas. The facts really happened: a child born of a virgin, a few years of teaching and healing, a trial, a crucifixion, a death, a resurrection and an ascension to heaven. Then there was an explosion of news.
In his book God Transcendent (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1982, p. 39), Machen states:
We couldn’t expect to be heard if we only had our own thoughts. There are many others in the world who are wiser and more educated than we are. But in times of danger, in a besieged city, the humblest of workers, if he has good news, deserves more to be heard than the greatest of speakers.
In times of danger, a bearer of good news is better than great philosophers, no matter if your language, grammar or appearance is good, if you have good news for an endangered people, it will be more valuable than thousands of people. Theologians. Simple people who have heard the good news and who have been saved through them should be excited. People need the good news in the first place. Difficult questions can be answered later. We need cheerful and tireless bearers of good news, not smart commentators on this news.
Yes, I hear the warning. We need both. Sometimes the news is unintelligible without comment. The fact that the news is intellectually compelling is good news in itself. Yes, I love everything. However, I think for some people we have to point out that we have good news and it is better than finding a cure for cancer, infinitely better. We have to believe it and feel it. So we have to go out and make them known.
It’s really wonderful to be a bearer of good news. I know a lot of people don’t feel insecure. This complicates the transmission of this news. But if you really believe in danger and news, it’s always exciting to tell people about events that bring security, hope, and eternal joy.
We often have to reflect on the fact that Christianity is news, it is news, not only ideas or arguments, Christianity also has these characteristics, but it is above all powerful and joyful news. Don’t be afraid; Behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be for all the people (Luke 2. 10).
What are the news? It is this: although sin has great power, is universal and causes death (Romans 3. 23; 6. 23), Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1. 15). He frees us from eternal damnation (Matthew 25:46). Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15: 3). He who knew no sin, God made to sin for us, so that in him we may be righteous of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are justified by the blood of Christ and reconciled to God (Romans 5: 9-10). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:18). The righteous died for the unrighteous, to bring us into communion with God (1 Peter 3:18). This Jesus, Lord of the universe, rose indestructibly from the dead and cannot die or be defeated (Romans 6: 9; Hebrews 7:16). The way to be saved by him is not meritorious works, but faith in God who justifies the wicked (Romans 4: 5; Ephesians 2: 8-9). No human being has ever imagined the greatness of what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2: 9).
Is it admirable that this new message spread triumphantly in the Roman world in these early days of the Church, even in a context of paganism, pluralism, occultism and persecution (days similar to ours)?The news was too good to hide. And the whole story exclaims, “What beautiful feet do those who announce good things have?”(Romans 10. 15).
Devotion of John Piper’s book Provai e Vede
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