Thanks to Tim Keller and John Frame, we are learning new
ways to look at ancient truths. One idea
that has come back to us over and over is the perspective that the form in which God reveals his truths to us is critically important to
understanding the truths themselves. The
form of Christmas is a good example of this.
And an
angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel
said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy
which will be for all the people; for today in the city of
David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Good News!
The shape of the gospel is good news.
The original meaning of the Greek word euaggelion (gospel) has faded
over time. In Jesus’ day it had
clout. It wasn’t the word people used
for everyday news. It meant incredible,
joy-producing news. It was the kind of
news that would change the course of your life.
So, why should it matter that the gospel
comes to us in the form of news? It
matters precisely because it differentiates Christianity from every other religious
system, and every system of non-belief, in the world. The essence of religion is advice: do this
and God will accept you. The essence of
Christianity is an announcement that what you need in order to draw close to
God has already been done for you in Christ.
Taking and keeping advice, however good it
may be, is still a burden on the advice keeper. Did I do it right? Did I do it enough? Am I accepted? What else must I do? Of such questions there is no end.
The heralds of Christmas say, Good News! Great Joy!
Your God has come in the form
of a baby… well, that’s another post.
Veselé vánoce Vám přejeme,
a radost v Kristu,
Johnny and Annette
