There are Many paths Many say and yet The Lord Jesus Christ is very clear in which ‘Way!’ he says – J. Daly

The Gospel Under Attack: Why Hearing and Believing Are Still Essential for Salvation

For centuries, Christians have dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel, believing it to be the only path to salvation. But in the times that we live, a disturbing trend has emerged within evangelicalism: a questioning of the very necessity of hearing and believing the gospel for salvation. This article delves into this critical issue, exploring the arguments against the traditional view and reaffirming the biblical truth that hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ is essential for salvation.

A Firestorm of Controversy: Defending the Gospel from Within

Pastor John recounts the controversy surrounding his book, “The Gospel According to Jesus.” He felt compelled to write it because he believed the gospel was being misrepresented at the heart of his own tradition. He was shocked by what he perceived as a distortion of the gospel emanating from his own seminary. This sparked a “firestorm” and became a defining moment, leading him to defend the gospel against attacks from within evangelicalism itself.

The Shocking Reality: Evangelical Confusion About the Gospel

Pastor John expresses dismay that, after so many years, evangelicals are still misrepresenting the gospel. He highlights the core issue: the necessity of believing the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. He points out a growing movement within evangelicalism that suggests belief in the gospel is not required for salvation.

The Biblical Foundation: Salvation Through Faith in Christ

Pastor John emphasizes that the message of Christianity has always been one of faith in Christ. The objective content of that faith is found in the gospel facts of history, recorded in Scripture. True Christians have always believed that the only way sinners can be rescued from eternal hell is to believe the gospel and acknowledge Christ.

The Rise of Natural Theology: A Dangerous Alternative

Pastor John identifies a movement called “Natural Theology,” which suggests that humans possess the natural reasoning powers to reach God without the Bible or the gospel. This idea, he argues, rejects the biblical teaching that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. He cites examples of prominent figures, including the Pope and Billy Graham, who have seemingly embraced this broader view of salvation.

• The Pope’s Interpretation:  Pastor John quotes the Pope as saying that those who live in accordance with the Beatitudes and bear suffering will enter God’s Kingdom.
• Billy Graham’s Perspective:  Pastor John cites a conversation between Billy Graham and Robert Schuller, where Graham suggests that people from various religious backgrounds, even those who don’t know Jesus, can be members of the body of Christ and saved.

The Depravity of Man: Why Natural Theology Fails

Pastor John argues that the idea of unaided pagans reaching saving knowledge of God contradicts the biblical doctrine of depravity. He points out that even Adam and Eve, in their sinless condition, needed God’s revelation to understand His will. After the Fall, human reason is so corrupted that no one can intuitively please God.

Romans 1: The Wrath of God and the Suppression of Truth

Pastor John references Romans 1, highlighting that the wrath of God is revealed against those who suppress the truth. While humans have reasoning power and can perceive God’s attributes through creation, this knowledge is not enough to save them. Instead, they suppress the truth and turn to error.

1 Corinthians 1: The Foolishness of the Gospel to the Perishing

Pastor John turns to 1 Corinthians 1, where he identifies two categories of people: those who are perishing and those who are being saved. To those who are perishing, the word of the cross is foolishness. They reject the gospel because it is unacceptable and unreasonable to them. He emphasizes that the message of a crucified Jew being the Savior of the universe was a “tough sell” in the Roman world.

The Power of God: Salvation Through the Foolishness of Preaching

Despite the unreasonableness and unattainability of the gospel from a human perspective, Pastor John emphasizes that God is pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. He quotes 1 Corinthians 1:21: “since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”

Spiritual Warfare: Battling Anti-God Ideas

Pastor John discusses spiritual warfare, emphasizing that it is not about chasing demons but about battling anti-God ideas. He references 2 Corinthians 10, explaining that the weapons of our warfare are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses, which are ideologies, theories, and viewpoints raised up against the knowledge of God.

1 Corinthians 10: The Worship of Demons

Pastor John addresses the issue of idol worship, arguing that when people sacrifice to idols, they are sacrificing to demons, not to God. He rejects the idea that God will accept false worship as a substitute for true worship.

Romans 10: Faith Comes by Hearing

Pastor John concludes by referencing Romans 10, emphasizing that faith comes by hearing the message concerning Christ. He highlights the importance of sending preachers to the ends of the earth so that people can hear the gospel and be saved.

Conclusion: A Call to Faithful Proclamation

Pastor John passionately reaffirms the biblical truth that hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. He urges believers to remain faithful in the relentless proclamation of the gospel, recognizing that God has chosen them to be the means by which He will save others.

Are you actively sharing the gospel with those around you? Consider how you can be more intentional in proclaiming the truth concerning Christ, so that others may be freed from the imprisonment of their damning ideologies.