Informing Theology

 Informing Theology

Studying the Bible and proclaiming it require a clear understanding of the Gospel. There is both a shorter version of the Gospel, which can be called the “brochure approach” of presenting it (e.g. The Four Spiritual Laws, The Bridge, etc.), and a longer or full version of the Gospel, which is which can be called the “essay” or “encyclopedic” version. A good preacher must have this kind of version of the Gospel clearly in his heart and mind at all times, especially when he is studying the word of God, either for his own edification or for preaching to others.

The grand metanarrative of the Gospel (and the Bible, too, for that matter) can be understood in terms of five major themes.

GOD

God is revealed in the Bible as eternally existing before anything else ever existed (Gen 1:1). Therefore, He is above all and supreme in all aspects. He is the head and the source of all. There is no one else like Him. But He is also revealed as a Person with all the attributes of personhood. He has thoughts, feelings, and will. The first chapter of Genesis clearly shows that God is not just some force in the universe. Therefore, He also speaks and acts. It is He who wishes to speak to people in order to reveal Himself and His will to them. He also acts consistently based on His character, and we can expect that He will always do so in that way. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. However, since He is a Person, He desires a relationship with His creation, not because of some prior need or limitation on His part, but because He wants to share Himself in love. His love motivates Him to reach out to the world to save it (John 3:16).

CREATION

Everything was created by God. Everything God created was good. This is what we see in the first two chapters of the book of Genesis. This goodness is a reflection of His image — who He is in essence. The pinnacle of this goodness is reflected upon the creation of man. But everything else in creation was intended to be good. This includes work as well as relationships. The freedom that man had, even his ability to choose between good and evil, was also good. Some people might think it was not a good idea, but God disagrees. It was good that man can choose between good and evil. Otherwise, why would God give man the command not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? He had a choice. To disobey would lead to death (which is evil). So the prohibition is not against choice per se but against chosen independence. In other words, the tree represented a choice that would lead to independence from God, rather than dependence on Him. But God’s intention for all His creation is harmony and dependence on Him. This is important in understanding the will of God for man, even today. He wants all men to be in a right relationship with Him, with one another, and with all creation. This is the good intention of God for all His creation, and it encompasses everything, not just mankind.

SIN

Sin is independence from God. It is rebellion against God’s rightful rule. Genesis 3 shows us the beginning of all lawlessness. Its results were devastating. All the good that God intended were now twisted and warped. When sin entered the picture, death started to reign. Sin now destroys everything that is good and pleasing to God — relationships, work, life, etc. Man’s relationship with God, with one another, and with creation itself has now been affected. No longer can creation enjoy the presence of God. Consequently, life is no longer a joy but a burden. If not for God’s grace and mercy, life could have ceased altogether. This situation is the situation that we are all a part of right now. It’s called the present evil age.

JESUS CHRIST

But God promised a Savior. He will come from the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15), which means He will also be a human being. Since then mankind has been on a lookout for that seed. The bigger part of the Bible, the Old Testament, is all about waiting for that seed, that Savior. Gradually, God was giving more information about this Savior through the prophets. According to their prophecies, He will not just be a mere human being. He will be God with us and among us (Immanuel, Isaiah 7-9). In other words, God Himself will come to save mankind in the person of this Savior. When Jesus was born, He was born through unusual circumstances. He grew up just like everyone else but He exemplified unique qualities that were not present in other boys His age. Eventually, He came out into the open and started preaching and teaching, while at the same time performing signs and wonders to the delight of everyone (Mark 1:14-15; Acts 10:38). As time went on, He started confusing everyone when He started speaking and acting as if He was equal with God (see recorded speeches of Jesus in the Gospel of John, for example, especially chapters 6 to 8). He started forgiving people and promising them eternal life if they would believe in Him. Many believe, but many others were offended. They felt it was blasphemy that anyone — especially the son of a carpenter — would claim to be equal with God. So they conspired against Him, crucified Him, and killed Him. But He is God’s promise to us, He is the Son of God, the only begotten Son, in whom He is well-pleased above everyone else, the Savior and Lord of all mankind. So He raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and seated Him at the right hand of the Father. All authority were given to Him to implement God’s rule and plan for all creation until all things can be returned to their original intention (Matthew 28:19-20). Through Jesus Christ the kingdom of God was inaugurated and will soon be established permanently when God finally removes all sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:25-28).

SALVATION

Salvation is the restoration of all things, back to where they were originally intended by God. God is saving the world and everything in it. It is not just about saving people but about saving all creation. He begins with people but eventually He will work out His salvation in all things. This is the grand plan of God for the salvation of all creation. The last chapters of the Book of Revelation reveal the global and universal scope of salvation. So being saved today is not just about escaping the fires of hell. It is much more bigger than that. It is not just saving individuals but creating a people for Himself, eager to image His likeness. So He saves people through the Gospel, by forgiving their sins and transforming their hearts, and enabling them to live as the people of God. His purpose is to send them out so that others might be saved before the final end of this present evil age. God’s plan is for the restoration and renewal of all things in and through Jesus Christ. This is the metanarrative of the Bible. This is the encyclopedic version of the Gospel of the kingdom of God. This is what will happen eventually because God has decided that it will be so. So we proclaim now the good news that through Jesus Christ the eternal plan of God for the salvation of all creation has begun.