gospel
The Gospel Truth: Man is Sinful (Vlog Series)
New Vlog Series, Updating Weekly: The Gospel Truth
See the entire series as it is added at our Video Teaching Series page.
The gospel message is a unique one in scripture. Never is it open to individual interpretation or denominational packaging. The message of the gospel is so important and well defined, in fact, that Paul noted
Galatians 1:8 (ESV)
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
Ironically, we live in a day when the “gospel-lite” message frequently preached is one which is devoid of its substance. In particular, sin is now off the menu.
The liberal emergent types do not discuss sin. The gospel to them is about what we are going to do – not what we’ve done. Many Word of Faith types eliminate sin from their estranged gospel as well. Joel Osteen proudly exclaims “we don’t talk about sin at our church” while Robert Schuller notes that one of “the biggest mistakes” churches make today is insisting on pointing out everyone’s sin.
So, today the question is asked – and answered: is there a gospel message at all without the mention of sin? Or is the fact that man is sinful the very issue of the gospel message?
The Gospel Truth: Pt. 1 – Man is Sinful from Jeff Kluttz on Vimeo.
If You Love Jesus… Forward Another Brainless Email
You’d think I would be desensitized by now. But, truth be told, I get more irritated each time it happens. Before their morning coffee has opened passages to their hypothalamus, someone forwards me an utterly asinine email from their Aunt Myrtle which aptly demonstrates the theological aspirations of Joe Q. Christian. I’m sure it seemed relevant at the time.
The sentiment of Aunt Myrtle’s pining will be less than challenging to anyone who knows any actual scripture (beyond what is printed on their clothing or bumper stickers.) It will normally be the stuff that Touched By An Angel episodes are made of; such as the heart-warming story of the child who gave a homeless man his happy-fries outside of the local McDonalds. Continue reading
The Elements of the Gospel: Faith
(This post is a continuation of the Pastoral Soteriology Series. It assumes pre-requisite reading of earlier posts, and will be followed by additional posts.)
While grace is the overriding precondition of the gospel, scripture unyieldingly asserts that faith is the necessary component by which salvation is applied to the sinner’s account. Ephesians 2:8 notes both elements quite clearly, asserting, “it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith.” Likewise, Hebrews 11:6 notes that “without faith it is impossible to please God,” demanding that God’s acceptance of man in some way hinges on the existence of essential faith. While faith in no way trumps grace – nor can it exist outside of grace – it is nonetheless a required component of the gospel which cannot be subverted. One simply cannot be saved without faith. Continue reading
Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Law
Understanding the substitutionary nature of Old Testament atonement is perhaps the single most important revelation concerning the work Christ accomplished on the cross on our behalf. While such knowledge of the Old Testament system is certainly not a prerequisite for one’s salvation, it is the very foundation by which one may truly comprehend the work of the cross. Jesus took great care to present the manner of his work as something which built upon that which God had already revealed. He continually quoted the Law and the Prophets. He made examples of the men of faith who had forged the work of the Kingdom in the Old Testament. Salvation by grace through faith is not something new, but rather something which utterly permeated the scriptures prior to the time of Christ. What became new was that the substance of such faith was finally revealed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus explained, Continue reading
Yom Kippur – The Foreshadowing of Christ
(This is a continuation of the series entitled, “A Pastoral Soteriology.” It assumes the reading of eariler posts.)
The culmination of the sacrificial system of atonement in the Old Testament Law was demonstrated and applied in the yearly observation of “Yom Kippur,” or, “The Day of Atonement.” While the sacrificial system tirelessly went about its business of providing blood offerings – literally twenty four hours a day – this special holy day provided the principle application of the sin offering for the entire nation. As such, Yom Kippur demonstrated more articulately the nature of Christ’s later work of redemption than perhaps any other requirement of the sacrificial system. Continue reading
