Alright so I'm back from Europe, almost done with the Navy application process and crawling to catch up with ministry here in Los Angeles. I really want to get back soon to our journey through systematic theology, but that will have to wait for now. In the meantime chew on this and let me know your thoughts.
The Gospel is composed of objective propositional truth that must be believed to be effective. But since the ultimate truth is a living Being (John 14:6) the Gospel is not only propositional but experiential and relational. This is not some emotional high or vision from heaven (necessarily), but there is an aspect of the Gospel that affects not only what we intellectually assent to but also emotionally and relationally commit to. True belief involves not only the intellect, but the body, soul, and heart of a person (Matt 22:37). True knowledge and understanding is not just mental but experiential and practical. To receive the Gospel is to receive a new belief system and worldview. But it is more than that. It is to receive a new life. A new way of thinking and a new way of living. Mere behavioral change is not the Gospel. But a salvation that is not being worked out (not worked for) is no salvation at all (James 2:14-26, Phil 2:12-13).
your friend
jrf
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