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Does “Gospel” Simply Mean “Good News”? Or Have We Unintentionally Defined Ourselves into a Corner?
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 11-10-14 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 11/11/2014 7:09:08 AM PST by Salvation

Does “Gospel” Simply Mean “Good News”? Or Have We Unintentionally Defined Ourselves into a Corner?

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

01-00-17_0

There are times in the Church when we want to define something rather easily and simply so as to make it memorable and easy to grasp. But in so doing, we run the risk of doing harm to its deeper, richer, and more accurate meaning.

I wonder if we have not done this with the word “gospel.” Most of us have been trained to define the word “gospel” as “good news.” Clearly there is good news in the Gospels and, by extension, the whole of the New Testament. However, as we shall see, “good news” as a definition falls short of what the term actually means.

Further, in our current cultural setting, the way in which many hear the phrase “good news”  also creates, I would argue, a false impression that all Scriptures are pleasant, happy, cheerful, consoling, and so forth. But the Scriptures are not all in this mode of “good.” Many of the Scriptures challenge, provoke, and even trouble and strike fear.

Yet, because “good news” has become an interpretive key of sorts, many thus filter what they see, hear, and preach of the Scriptures. If something does not come across as good news, does not fit into the template of being cheerful and consoling, it is either recast with a twisted interpretation, or it is sometimes wholly set aside.  For example, the Lord Jesus often issues fierce messages against sin and unbelief, warns about judgment and Hell, and insists that we follow Him unreservedly, even if this means accepting the Cross, the hatred of the world, or the loss of relationship with certain family members. But because such logia of Jesus Himself do not fit the modern concept of “good news,” such strong statements are too easily set aside by many as not sounding like “the Jesus they know.”

Thus, the common definition of gospel as “good news” tends to be a poor template by which to understand the words and teachings of Jesus Christ.  It makes people averse to the harder sayings of Jesus, even dismissive of them. A woman once remarked to a priest I know who had preached on a difficult topic, “Now, Father, I come to Church expecting to hear something uplifting and encouragement from you. But I did not hear that today from you.”

What then is the fuller and richer understanding of the word “gospel”? Pope Benedict addressed this topic well in Volume I of Jesus of Nazareth:

The Evangelists designate Jesus’ preaching with the Greek term Evangelion. But what does this term actually mean? The term has recently been translated as ‘good news.’ That sounds attractive, but it falls far short of the order of magnitude of what is actually meant by the word evangelion. This term figures in the vocabulary of the Roman emperors, who understood themselves as lords, saviors, and redeemers of the world.  The messages issued by the emperor were called in Latin evangelium   regardless of whether or not their content was particularly cheerful or pleasant . The idea was that what comes from the emperor is a saving message, that it is not just a piece of news, but a changing of the world for the better. “When the Evangelists adopt this word, and it thereby becomes the generic name for their writings, what they mean to tell us is this: What the emperors, who pretend to be gods, illegitimately claim, really occurs here – a message endowed with plenary authority, a message that is not just talk but reality…. the Gospel is not just informative speech, but performative speech – not just the imparting of information, but action, efficacious power that enters into the world to save and transform. Mark speaks of the ‘Gospel of God,’ the point being that it is not the emperors who can save the world, but God. And it is here that God’s word, which is at once word and deed, appears; it is here that what the emperors merely assert, but cannot actually perform, truly takes place. For here it is the real Lord of the world – the Living God – who goes into action (Jesus of Nazareth Vol 1 pp. 46-47).

Therefore note some qualities of the term “gospel” and of the nature of God’s Word:

1. The term is not necessarily indicative of something pleasant or happy. It originally referred to the utterance of an emperor, even if the content was not particularly pleasant. For example an “evangelion” might announce an increase in taxes or the summoning of an army. In God’s Word, the Gospel might include promises of salvation, offers of forgiveness, and blessings. But it might also include the teachings on the need for repentance, on the requirement to take up a cross, on accepting that we may well be hated, and on the fact that judgment is looming.

2. The emphasis of the word “evangelion” was that it had authority behind it, authority capable of changing your life. Thus if the emperor announced that he was paving a nearby road, or raising taxes, or summoning men to arms, or declaring a holiday—whatever the message contained, you knew your life was going to change, perhaps dramatically, due to the emperor’s authority. With the Word of God, too, there is declared in the term “gospel,” the truth that when God speaks, His Word has the power to change your life, either by conferring great blessings, or by announcing more challenging things (such as the fact that the day of judgment is looming for us all, or that certain of our behaviors are not acceptable for membership in the Kingdom).

3. The Gospel is not merely noetic (informative); it is dynamic (transformative). God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Thus when God says “Be holy,” His words contain the actual power to effect what they announce, provided we receive them in faith.

4. The Gospel is no mere written word. The Gospel is Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. Therefore the Gospel saves all who receive it (Him) with faith and heed its warnings and teachings with the obedience of faith.

Thus, the term “gospel” means more than “good news.” And given our cultural setting and its presuppositions related to the word “good,” the notion that “gospel = good news” can be downright misleading. It is better and richer to understand the term “gospel” to refer to the life-changing and transformative utterance of God, which is able to save us if we obey its demands in faith. It is in fact Jesus Himself who is the Word made Flesh. Perhaps this is less memorable, but it is more true and less misleading.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; goodnews; gospel; msgrcharlespope; scripture; thegoodnews; thegospel
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I would much rather hear the word "Gospel" than the words "Good News."

The Gospel is no mere written word. The Gospel is Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. Therefore the Gospel saves all who receive it (Him) with faith and heed its warnings and teachings with the obedience of faith.

1 posted on 11/11/2014 7:09:08 AM PST by Salvation
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...

Msgr. Pope Ping!


2 posted on 11/11/2014 7:09:53 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
I would much rather hear the word "Gospel" than the words "Good News."

"Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound...."

3 posted on 11/11/2014 7:10:57 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Salvation

Jesus when preaching put emphasis on the Father and the Kingdom of God rather than Himself, so the Gospel cannot be all Jesus. Take note of Mark 1:15 for starters.


4 posted on 11/11/2014 7:15:23 AM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Salvation

The Good News is there’s a way for people to break the chains of guilt, fear and hopelessness imposed on them by their government, church or themselves.


5 posted on 11/11/2014 7:16:38 AM PST by Texas Eagle
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To: Olog-hai

We have to look at the purposes for which the evangelists wrote.

Mark wrote from first hand accounts, sometime sketchy, but very vivid details. (for the Israelites)

Matthew has the most quotes from the Old Testament since he is said to have written for the Jews.

Luke was writing for the Gentiles and attempted to put everything in chronological order through which he includes several stories that other Gospels don’t have.

John was written much later and it is mostly theology.


6 posted on 11/11/2014 7:25:37 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
John was written much later and it is mostly theology.

Which is probably why it's my favorite of the four gospels.
(I like philosophy and theology and such.)

7 posted on 11/11/2014 7:30:32 AM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
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To: Salvation; NYer; zot

Gospel as ‘good news’ of Jesus’ message of salvation was my younger self’s understanding. And all meanings as Pope Benedict describes that is required by Jesus came on slowly afterward. More understanding of what the Gospel is comes with age, experience, study, and prayer/meditation.

Perhaps seeing Gospel as “Good News” is the ‘cliff notes/Classic’s comic book’ understanding for ‘young’ Christians and the fuller meanings come with ‘age’ and reading the ‘full’ text.


8 posted on 11/11/2014 7:43:10 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: Alex Murphy
"Amazing Grace!"

Precisely. The lyrics, while very pretty are a good example of trivialization of the Gospel.

9 posted on 11/11/2014 7:43:40 AM PST by annalex (fear them not)
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To: Salvation

If Pope were the Pope, I might even become Catholic myself...


10 posted on 11/11/2014 7:45:52 AM PST by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: Salvation
We have to look at the purposes for which the evangelists wrote.

I asked one of our former local priests about this and his comments are in blue.

1. Mark wrote from first hand accounts, sometime sketchy, but very vivid details. (for the Israelites)
Mark: his Gospels are always the shortest and he was always on the move.

2. Matthew has the most quotes from the Old Testament since he is said to have written for the Jews.
He was the greatest preacher, as it were, so many quotes are by him.

3. Luke was writing for the Gentiles and attempted to put everything in chronological order through which he includes several stories that other Gospels don’t have.
His emphasis was prayer.

3. John was written much later and it is mostly theology.
His wrote of THE LIGHT.

====================================================

I have lunch with him a few times a year and just asked him about this topic a couple of months are.

11 posted on 11/11/2014 7:47:26 AM PST by cloudmountain
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To: Salvation
Monseigneur Pope Ping
12 posted on 11/11/2014 7:48:50 AM PST by cloudmountain
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To: Salvation

The problem is not with translating “Gospel” as “Good News,” which is accurate.

The problem is the human condition.

As God’s Word says, Christians are a fragrance of life to some, and an odor of death to others.

To the former, the Gospel is “good news,” God’s forgiveness as an unearned gift. To the latter who refuse to see themselves as sinners guilty before God and unable to make things right by their own good actions, the Gospel doesn’t sound good.


13 posted on 11/11/2014 8:17:04 AM PST by Faith Presses On
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To: OneWingedShark

John is my favorite as well. Lots to sit with in John.


14 posted on 11/11/2014 8:19:53 AM PST by defconw (Both parties have clearly lost their minds!)
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To: annalex

:) I agree.


15 posted on 11/11/2014 8:22:11 AM PST by defconw (Both parties have clearly lost their minds!)
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To: cloudmountain

I have learned the same from priests as well. It that not amazing! :)


16 posted on 11/11/2014 8:23:36 AM PST by defconw (Both parties have clearly lost their minds!)
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To: Faith Presses On
The problem is not with translating “Gospel” as “Good News,” which is accurate.
The problem is the human condition.
As God’s Word says, Christians are a fragrance of life to some, and an odor of death to others.
To the former, the Gospel is “good news,” God’s forgiveness as an unearned gift. To the latter who refuse to see themselves as sinners guilty before God and unable to make things right by their own good actions, the Gospel doesn’t sound good.

The problem has ALWAYS been the human condition: PRIDE, the first of the seven deadly sins. After all, that's what Lucifer's temptation to Adam and Eve was all about. They could know all of God's knowledge if they broke His law and ate the forbidden fruit.

Lucifer, Light Bearer, the first of the PRIDE sinners.

Review of the seven deadly sins:
pride,
greed,
anger,
lust,
envy,
gluttony and
sloth.

Lucifer became SATAN, שטן , which means "adversary" in Hebrew.

17 posted on 11/11/2014 8:45:09 AM PST by cloudmountain
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To: defconw; OneWingedShark

My pastor told us in a presentation about John, that no word is there accidentally. Everything is important!


18 posted on 11/11/2014 8:52:21 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Faith Presses On
To the former, the Gospel is “good news,” God’s forgiveness as an unearned gift. To the latter who refuse to see themselves as sinners guilty before God and unable to make things right by their own good actions, the Gospel doesn’t sound good.

Amen

19 posted on 11/11/2014 8:55:51 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: Salvation

Yep, the people who insist we take the Bible word for word are calling it good news while the ones who do not believe in sola scripture believes it means just what it says which is the Gospel.

Kind of confusing but I believe the Gospel is only good news to those who know they are lost with out God.


20 posted on 11/11/2014 8:58:31 AM PST by ravenwolf (` know if an other temple will be built or not but the)
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