Imagine that someone unfamiliar with your Christian faith asks you to summarize the gospel. What would you have said? If you were asked to describe the Christian message in only ten words, which would you choose?
Some years ago, The Christian Century published an article titled “The Gospel in Seven Words.” Prominent authors, pastors, and theologians were invited to articulate the Good News of Jesus in seven words or less. The results are fascinating. Here are a few:
The great historian Martin Marty: “God, through Jesus Christ, welcomes you anyhow.”
The pastor and author Brian McLaren: “In Christ, God calls all to reconciliation.”
The biblical scholar Beverly Roberts Gaventa: “In Christ, God’s yes defeats our no.”
The professor of Missions and World Christianity Lamin Sanneh draws directly from the New Testament: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world.”
Peter encouraged Christians: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) If someone asks what you believe, or why you go to church, or what it means to be a Christian — could you articulate it?
On Sunday mornings in Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2, we’ll reflect on what it means to confess the gospel. As we do, I hope you will reflect on what God has done in your life in Jesus and think about how to put it into your own words.
If the words come slowly or feel incomplete, fear not — you are not alone. Consider the summary written by seminary president and pastor Martin Copenhaver, who relied on only five: “God gets the last word.” The Lenten journey that begins with ashes on our foreheads, repentance, grief over sin, and the sober reminder that the wages of sin is death — ends in Easter triumph.
Through the victorious resurrection of the Son, God gets the last word. It is a word of grace. It is a word of forgiveness. It is a word of life, salvation, and peace with God. It is a word of hope for tomorrow and forever.
My prayer is that remembering the gospel in Lent this year will strengthen our faith in Jesus — not only preparing us to remember his death and celebrate his resurrection, but also preparing us to share our Christian hope with all who need to hear it.
Grace and Peace,