Is Your Gospel Big Enough?Sample

Two vs Four Chapters

Is this gospel story really much different? Comparing the four chapters to the common two-chapter gospel reveals how misunderstanding the biblical story affects our perspective of life here on earth. The two chapters of Fall and Redemption emphasize only our sin and salvation. That is not the only issue. The two-chapter gospel has a number of problems:

• It does not tell us about our true destiny. Our ultimate destiny is spending eternity with God. God sacrificing his son to die for our sins was not just for redemption on earth, but so that we would be reconciled to him forever.

• It does not tell us why we were created. Why did God choose to save humanity? Because he loves us. God’s love for us is so grand that even in our sin he still invites us to partner with him and steward his creation. Apart from his saving grace, we would have no hope.

• It does not tell us about what we were created to do. Without understanding the context of our creation and purpose for our lives on earth, we misinterpret our relationship with God.

• It tends to over-emphasize the individualistic aspects of salvation. Salvation in Christ is realized and celebrated in community. The universal, invisible church, the body and bride of Christ, is an integral aspect of our relationship with God.

• It becomes a gospel of sin management. If we consider the gospel to be all about salvation from sin, we ignore the power of Christ in our lives to transform others, the world, and us. The four-chapter gospel broadens our perspective of God’s sovereignty.

• It creates a sacred/secular divide. Our response to God should be comprehensive and all-encompassing. There is no secular part to what we do.

• It ends to lead to an escapist view of redemption. Salvation is about more than just getting a ride to heaven. What we do on earth matters for the ultimate restoration of all creation.

A comprehensive four-chapter framework helps us understand why we are important to God, why our work is important to God, and why God has called us to be good stewards.

Christ came to earth to show us a glimpse of what life could and should look like when he makes all things new. As Christians, part of our job is to live lives so transformed by the gospel that we show the world the hope found in Christ.

Have you been living out a two-chapter gospel? How can the four-chapter gospel change your perspective?

Additional Elements

What impact does the four-chapter gospel have on your work? Learn about our responsibility to create in “The Call to Creativity” by Dr. Art Lindsley.