In D.A. Carson’s keynote address delivered at The Gospel Coalition’s first conference in May 2007 he explained the different “angles” of the gospel using 1 Cor 15:1–19. The message was titled “The Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This is a great read! So many times we, as Christians, forget the essence of the gospel message. Carson provides us with a good reminder.
The Gospel is…
- Christological: The gospel centers on the person and work (the life, death, and resurrection) of Jesus Christ.
- Theological: The gospel tells us that sin is first and foremost an offense against God and that salvation is first to last the action of God, not our own.
- Biblical: The gospel is essentially the message of the whole Bible.
- Apostolic: The gospel is passed on to us by Jesus’ disciples as authoritative eyewitnesses.
- Historical: The gospel is not philosophy or advice on how to find God, but rather news of what God has done in history to find and save us.
- Personal: The gospel must be personally believed and appropriated.
- Universal: The gospel is for every tongue, tribe, people, and individual.
- Eschatological: The gospel includes the good news of the final transformation, not just the blessings we enjoy in this age.
Carson then offers “5 clarifying sentences” on the gospel.
1. This gospel is normally disseminated in proclamation.
2. This gospel is fruitfully received in authentic, persevering faith.
3. This gospel is properly disclosed in personal self-humiliation.
4. This gospel is rightly asserted to be the central confession of the whole church.
5. This gospel is boldly advancing under the contested reign and inevitable victory of Jesus the king.
Read the whole thing, it’s well worth it! Click here.
DR. MATT CAPPS 
excellent academic summary of the gospel – thanks for sharing