Dr. J. I. Packer's excellent essay written for the 1958 reprint of John Owen's classic book 'The Death of Death in the Death of Christ' should be read and re-read by everyone who cares about the state and future of Christ's Church.
What exactly IS the Gospel message that we are called to preserve and pass down, and that we should be preaching as ministers, and hearing and obeying as Christians? It is interesting that Dr. Packer wrote this article in 1958, and although it is now almost fifty years old, it was as if he wrote it yesterday- -our problems and challenges are still the same.
May you read, and if you have already read, then re-read this fine introductory essay on the Gospel and the purpose and call of Christ's Church. May this article whet your appetite to also invest time and intellectual energy into reading John Owen's 'The Death of Death in the Death of Christ' (You can purchase this book at www.monergismbooks.com).
As you carefully read this article , as yourself these questions whether you are an ordained minister or elder, or a ministering layperson:
1) What is the historic Christian gospel- -and why is it "good news" for sinners? Notice the difference between the "old" gospel and the "new" gospel that he makes.
2) How has the term "Evangelical" changed since the Reformation, and how can "Reformed and Always Reforming People" regain this term as a meaningful term (or can we?!)?
3) Why is it so hard (humanly speaking!) for confessing Christians to believe and take comfort in the Bible's teaching on 'Definite Atonement' (or 'Limited Atonement' in order to rightly preserve the 'TULIP').
4) Do you personally believe in an "old" gospel" or a "new" one? Is the "new" gospel really a gospel at all (cf. Galatians 1:6-9)?
To my Arminian friends, I would just ask: Before you discuss these things further with Calvinists and Calvinian theological believers, would you consider John Owen's treatise that has never been formally responded to by an Arminian? Would you consider the fact that perhaps he was right (with all respect!).
Enjoy reading (or re-reading) this important article by Dr. Packer! To quote Dr. Packer:
"[The Biblical Gospel] announces, not merely that men must come to Christ for salvation, but also that they cannot come unless Christ Himself draws them. Thus [the Gospel] labours to overthrow self-confidence, to convince sinners that their salvation is altogether out of their hands, and to shut them up to a self-despairing dependence on the glorious grace of a sovereign Saviour, not only for their righteousness but for their faith too."
IN Christ,
Pastor Biggs
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