Luke 2:10-11(NIV)
"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."(Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here. But I'm blogging this primarily to track my learning.)
For some the 'gospel' is defined by atonement.
I think the gospel message that Jesus and His disciples preached was about Him being King or Lord. And I think we may be missing something if we over emphasize a different part of Scripture and neglect the message that Jesus focused on.
So here's another clue in the Christmas story of the good news of Christ being Lord.
Are we still proclaiming the same good news message?
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3 comments:
While I don't believe that the good news should be defined *by* "atonement", I don't see how one can be brought under the reign of God without AT-ONE-MENT with God.
I believe that you are right about over emphasis, but at the same time, the "atonement" was the part of the gospel which Paul brought to the gentiles 'first of all':
"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."
Paul rarely used the phrase 'kingdom of God' or anything similar to it, but it was what his letters were all about.
Repentance is still there...
"Baptism" is still there...
While the 'atonement' is recorded in the end of the gospels, it was not fully unpacked until the letters.
Still, I think that you are right in what you are saying.
The Gospel is that Jesus is Lord. The atonement (understood and confirmed in baptism) is the way in which are brought under His reign.
Check out this post and let me know what you think:
http://brotherjohnny.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/dont-you-know/
It's interesting that the "good news...for all people" includes BOTH "Savior" and "Lord" in the description of Christ. As we discussed last night, I think they cannot be separated from one another.
Christina
Thanks brotherjohnny. To be honest I don't have a clear understanding of how it all works together at this point.
I do agree that Christ died for our sins.
But there were people saved pre-cross during Christ's life who accepted the good news message of the reign of God. And other descriptions of people saved after the cross that don't sound like our typical sinners prayer.
Consider also the Paralytic let down through the roof, and Jesus said "your sins are forgiven".
So I'm not sure if the offer of forgiveness of sins and salvation is tied so much to an understanding of the work on the cross as to a belief that Jesus is Lord.
I also look at the apostles creed and don't see an atonement theory being the central belief of early Christians.
Anyways, thanks for your thoughts... I'll go read your post now. :)
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