Since all that we need to know for life and godliness comes through the knowledge of Christ, then what we need to know concerning the gospel, salvation, and eternal life also has to do with the knowledge of Christ. But what exactly do we need to know.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Paul tells us exactly what the gospel is He says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

This small portion of Scriptures shows us a few things.

It shows us that this gospel was something Paul received. So it was something he passed on. This is the way we talk about information, not the way we talk about an experience. We particularly do not talk this way when we claim that each experience is completely unique in the truths it grasps.

We also have background information that needs to be added to this. The phrase “in accordance with the Scriptures” demands that we know what those Scriptures say. Does that mean in the entirety or just the general idea? I think general knowledge is sufficient.

This gospel message centers upon three things that happened to Jesus. He died, was buried, and rose.

Sin is mentioned, and any time sin is mentioned, the whole of the creation account ought to be brought into the discussion.

Unlike most gospel presentations, this one includes and almost culminates in the resurrection.

So with these things let me borrow from a source that I appreciate very much and put forward a gospel presentation that clearly explains each of these things. If you click on this link: 2 Ways to Live Presentation, I think you will find all the necessary components of the gospel recorded there.

What does the picture have to do with anything? Do not be fooled by the illusions of false gospels. That is about the best I can. It was just a cool picture.

Is the Gospel propositional truth? I guess the dragon I am attempting to slay is gospel existentialism. By this I mean this: Ask someone what is the gospel and they define it only in relationship to what happened to them, their experience. Frankly, this gospel existentialism poses a huge threat to the very integrity of the gospel.

When we define the gospel in terms of our experience alone,  our experience or perception of our experience becomes the source of authority concerning truth. Scripture then, at best, must share authority with our perception of reality.

Scripture clearly declares its place in this fight for authority. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 speaks to the sufficiency of Scripture in settling all matters for good works. 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us of how by God’s divine power he has provided everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him. (I am not quoting these passages so that you will look them up)

A few conclusions:

1. The Bible is our sole source of authority and tells us the truth of reality. If we want to know the truth about reality, we must look to the Scriptures.

2. If the Bible tells us the truth, then the Bible must tell us whether or not the gospel is propositional truth.

3. The Bible tells us that all that we needed for life,(2 Peter 1:3) comes to us through the knowledge of the him (Christ).

4. Therefore what we need for life, has something to do with knowledge. Now admittedly this knowledge is experiential in nature, but it is knowledge nonetheless.

Alright, maybe this is not clear, so maybe you can ask me some question for me to explain more what I am trying to say.