Proclaiming the Historical Truth of the Gospel
Summary
The gathering at Ligonier Ministries is a profound opportunity to delve into the gospel, a topic of utmost importance for biblically-minded Christians. The presence of young people at this event is particularly encouraging, as it signifies the transmission of faith across generations. My focus is on the gospel as a historical fact, a narrative deeply intertwined with the modern age and its philosophical challenges. The Enlightenment, with figures like Hermann Reimarus, Gotthold Lessing, and Emmanuel Kant, introduced a worldview that questioned the knowability of historical events, creating what Lessing called an "ugly ditch" between us and the past. This skepticism was furthered by Friedrich Schleiermacher, who redefined Christianity as a matter of feeling rather than historical fact, and Rudolf Bultmann, who argued for the demythologization of the New Testament.
The modern age has seen numerous attempts to rescue Christianity from its historical truth claims, but these efforts often lead to theological liberalism. The quest for the historical Jesus, the Jesus Seminar, and other modern critiques continue to challenge the historical credibility of the New Testament. However, these are not new questions. The apostles, like Peter and Luke, were adamant that they were not following myths but were eyewitnesses to historical events. The New Testament writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provided orderly accounts to ensure certainty about the gospel's truth.
The historical claims of Christianity are not limited to the New Testament but begin with Genesis and continue throughout Scripture. The gospel's truth is rooted in historical events, such as Christ's death and resurrection, which are essential for our salvation. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of these historical claims in 1 Corinthians 15, asserting that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. Yet, he affirms that Christ has indeed been raised, grounding our hope and salvation in historical reality.
In a world that often demands we reconcile with modern historical criticism, we must remember that our confidence lies not in human reason but in divine revelation. The gospel does not need rescuing; it needs to be preached with the assurance that it is true and transformative. As believers, we are called to proclaim this gospel until Christ returns, knowing that it is both historically and spiritually true.
Key Takeaways:
1. The gospel's historical foundation is crucial for its truth and our salvation. The Enlightenment's skepticism, represented by figures like Lessing and Kant, challenges the knowability of historical events, but the apostles were clear that they were eyewitnesses to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This historical reality is essential for the gospel's credibility and transformative power. [02:35]
2. Attempts to rescue Christianity from its historical claims often lead to theological liberalism. Figures like Schleiermacher and Bultmann sought to redefine Christianity as a matter of feeling or myth, but these efforts undermine the gospel's truth. The gospel does not need rescuing; it needs to be proclaimed as the historical and spiritual truth it is. [14:52]
3. The historical claims of Christianity begin with Genesis and continue throughout Scripture. The Bible presents history as a series of events that happened in space and time, from creation to Christ's resurrection. This historical continuity is vital for understanding the gospel's truth and its implications for our lives. [30:22]
4. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of historical claims in 1 Corinthians 15, asserting that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. Yet, he affirms that Christ has indeed been raised, grounding our hope and salvation in historical reality. This underscores the necessity of believing in the historical truth of the gospel. [34:12]
5. Our confidence in the gospel lies not in human reason but in divine revelation. While modern historical criticism challenges the gospel's credibility, we have something more sure: the prophetic Word of Scripture. This revelation transcends human skepticism and assures us of the gospel's truth and power. [41:08]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:25] - Importance of the Gospel
[01:00] - Encouragement from Young Attendees
[02:35] - The Gospel as Historical Fact
[03:14] - Enlightenment's Challenge to History
[05:04] - Kant and the Chasm of History
[06:13] - Schleiermacher and Feeling-Based Faith
[09:27] - The Quest for the Historical Jesus
[11:38] - Neo-Orthodoxy and Karl Barth
[14:52] - The Failure of Rescue Attempts
[19:34] - Evangelical Faith and Historical Criticism
[22:55] - Perennial Heresies and 2 Peter
[26:47] - Luke's Eyewitness Account
[30:22] - Historical Claims from Genesis
[32:30] - 1 Corinthians 15 and Historical Importance
[36:12] - The Bible's Understanding of History
[41:08] - Confidence in Divine Revelation
[44:06] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-22
2. 2 Peter 1:16-21
3. Luke 1:1-4
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul emphasize as being of "first importance" in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and why is this significant for the gospel's historical claims? [32:30]
2. In 2 Peter 1:16-18, how does Peter describe the nature of the apostles' testimony about Jesus? What does this suggest about the reliability of their accounts? [24:00]
3. According to Luke 1:1-4, what was Luke's purpose in writing his Gospel, and how does he describe his method of compiling the narrative? [26:47]
4. How does the sermon describe the impact of Enlightenment thinkers like Lessing and Kant on the perception of historical events? [03:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul’s assertion in 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 about the resurrection challenge modern skepticism about historical events? What implications does this have for the Christian faith? [34:12]
2. In what ways does Peter's emphasis on being "eyewitnesses" in 2 Peter 1:16-18 counter the claims of those who argue that the gospel is merely myth or feeling-based? [24:00]
3. How does Luke’s detailed approach to documenting the life of Jesus in Luke 1:1-4 provide a foundation for confidence in the historical truth of the gospel? [26:47]
4. The sermon mentions various attempts to "rescue" Christianity from its historical claims. How do these attempts reflect a misunderstanding of the gospel's nature and purpose? [14:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubts about the historical truth of the gospel. How can the assurance of eyewitness testimony, as emphasized by Peter and Luke, strengthen your faith? [24:00]
2. In what ways can you engage with modern historical criticism while maintaining confidence in the divine revelation of Scripture? How can you prepare yourself to address questions from skeptics? [41:08]
3. How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 15, impact your daily life and hope for the future? What specific actions can you take to live out this hope? [34:12]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of proclaiming the gospel as both historically and spiritually true. How can you incorporate this understanding into your conversations with others about faith? [14:52]
5. Consider the role of young people in the transmission of faith across generations. How can you actively support and encourage the younger generation in your church community to engage with the gospel? [02:02]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding of Christianity is rooted in both historical truth and personal experience, avoiding the pitfalls of reducing faith to mere feeling or myth? [06:13]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can more boldly proclaim the gospel's truth. What steps will you take this week to share the historical and spiritual reality of Jesus with someone in your life? [14:52]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gospel's Historical Foundation is Essential for Salvation
The gospel's historical foundation is crucial for its truth and our salvation. The Enlightenment's skepticism, represented by figures like Lessing and Kant, challenges the knowability of historical events, but the apostles were clear that they were eyewitnesses to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This historical reality is essential for the gospel's credibility and transformative power. The apostles, such as Peter and Luke, emphasized that they were not following myths but were eyewitnesses to historical events. The New Testament writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, provided orderly accounts to ensure certainty about the gospel's truth. This historical grounding is not just a matter of intellectual assent but is vital for the assurance of our faith and the hope of our salvation. [02:35]
"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Consider how the historical reality of the gospel impacts your faith. How does knowing that the apostles were eyewitnesses to Christ's life, death, and resurrection strengthen your belief in the gospel's truth?
Day 2: Theological Liberalism Undermines the Gospel's Truth
Attempts to rescue Christianity from its historical claims often lead to theological liberalism. Figures like Schleiermacher and Bultmann sought to redefine Christianity as a matter of feeling or myth, but these efforts undermine the gospel's truth. The gospel does not need rescuing; it needs to be proclaimed as the historical and spiritual truth it is. The modern age has seen numerous attempts to rescue Christianity from its historical truth claims, but these efforts often lead to theological liberalism. The quest for the historical Jesus, the Jesus Seminar, and other modern critiques continue to challenge the historical credibility of the New Testament. However, these are not new questions. The apostles were adamant that they were not following myths but were eyewitnesses to historical events. [14:52]
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the ways you might be tempted to redefine your faith based on feelings or cultural trends. How can you ensure that your understanding of the gospel remains rooted in its historical truth?
Day 3: The Bible's Historical Continuity is Vital for Understanding the Gospel
The historical claims of Christianity begin with Genesis and continue throughout Scripture. The Bible presents history as a series of events that happened in space and time, from creation to Christ's resurrection. This historical continuity is vital for understanding the gospel's truth and its implications for our lives. The gospel's truth is rooted in historical events, such as Christ's death and resurrection, which are essential for our salvation. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of these historical claims in 1 Corinthians 15, asserting that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. Yet, he affirms that Christ has indeed been raised, grounding our hope and salvation in historical reality. [30:22]
"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How does the continuity of historical events in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation shape your understanding of God's plan for salvation? What steps can you take to deepen your appreciation of this continuity in your daily Bible study?
Day 4: The Necessity of Believing in the Historical Truth of the Gospel
The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of historical claims in 1 Corinthians 15, asserting that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. Yet, he affirms that Christ has indeed been raised, grounding our hope and salvation in historical reality. This underscores the necessity of believing in the historical truth of the gospel. The historical claims of Christianity are not limited to the New Testament but begin with Genesis and continue throughout Scripture. The gospel's truth is rooted in historical events, such as Christ's death and resurrection, which are essential for our salvation. [34:12]
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:17-19, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways does the resurrection of Christ provide hope and assurance in your life today? How can you live out this hope in practical ways, especially in challenging circumstances?
Day 5: Confidence in the Gospel Lies in Divine Revelation
Our confidence in the gospel lies not in human reason but in divine revelation. While modern historical criticism challenges the gospel's credibility, we have something more sure: the prophetic Word of Scripture. This revelation transcends human skepticism and assures us of the gospel's truth and power. In a world that often demands we reconcile with modern historical criticism, we must remember that our confidence lies not in human reason but in divine revelation. The gospel does not need rescuing; it needs to be preached with the assurance that it is true and transformative. As believers, we are called to proclaim this gospel until Christ returns, knowing that it is both historically and spiritually true. [41:08]
"And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the divine revelation of Scripture amidst the skepticism of the modern world? What practices can you incorporate into your life to strengthen your confidence in the gospel's truth and power?
Quotes
The gospel does not need to be rescued. In, in the modern age or in any other age, every attempt to rescue the gospel ends up in a form of theological liberalism. The theological liberals themselves, going back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries said, "We've got the rescue Christianity from these truth claims, especially truth claims having to do with historical fact and eternal meaning, present consequences." [00:14:42]
The apostles were absolutely determined to make clear that they were not preaching cleverly devised myths. The New Testament, to be saved, doesn't have to be mythologized, demythologized. It simply has to be preached. And Peter then goes on, with specificity, to make very clear exactly what he's saying here. He is saying, "We were eyewitnesses of these events. We saw them with our own eyes. We heard the divine majesty say, 'This is my Son in whom I am well pleased' with our ears. We were there." Space, time, and history. [00:25:51]
The historical claims presented in Scripture do not begin with the Gospels. The historical claims do not begin with the New Testament. We also need to understand that an authentically evangelical, authentically faithful understanding of Scripture begins, that the historical accounts from Scripture begin with Genesis 1:1 -- "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." And we come to understand that wherever Scripture makes any historical truth claim, it is to be understood as revealing to us, conveying to us history which is history, as in the space-time continuum, taking place in exact accordance with what was revealed to us. [00:30:18]
Notice that Paul is not only making necessary historical claims here; he is clear that he knows he's making necessary historical claims. And not only that, he is raising these historical claims to of first importance, for he says, "I received that which was delivered also to me and that is that Christ died for our sins," space, time, and history, "according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that God raised Him from the dead according to the Scriptures." [00:33:30]
We are not here because of the right operation of our autonomous human reason. We are here because that ugly ditch is transcended by the gift of divine revelation. And, you know, that is exactly the point that Peter makes in 1 Peter, when you look back at that text once again. Peter says: "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty." [00:39:11]
But you'll notice that Peter turns from his absolute unconditional assertions about what happened to what we have now. Writing to the church, he says, "And we have something more sure: the prophetic word to which you will do well to pay attention." Do you understand what he's saying there? He's saying, "I was there on the mountain. I saw Jesus with my own eyes. I heard the Majestic Glory with my own ears. But you have something better! You have the Scripture! You have the prophetic Word!" [00:41:07]
I can remember reading that book and having to mark it up knowing I was going to be tested on it and knowing I was going to have to talk about it, I can remember reading that book and then thinking this: "You know, if it didn't happen, it would be immoral to claim that it did. But if, by God's gift of revelation, we know that it did happen, and we know that that's the gospel of Christ, received as of first priority; if we know that salvation comes to those, to those who hear that gospel and, hearing that gospel, believe, and, believing, are saved; we know that the gospel is true and we know that Jesus Christ really was crucified for our sins and that He really was raised on the third day, then, brothers and sisters, it's immoral not to preach it. It's immoral not to tell it. It's immoral not to teach it." [00:43:34]
The Enlightenment was an intentional overthrow, in terms of especially its secular aspect, as represented by those we are citing here; as an intentional rejection of Christianity. But specifically, it was an intentional rejection of the Christian truth claim of revelation. And it was a complete rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as that gospel is predicated upon, established upon certain events that took place in space, and in time, and in history; the saving acts of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:06:00]
Friedrich Schleiermacher, the founder of liberal theology, came along with the suggestion that, of course, Kant had been right and, of course, Lessing had been right. There is this ugly ditch. There is this mighty chasm. There is no way we can establish the, the Christian religion, as he called it, on the basis of some historical facts and then teachings that are understood to be immutably true by divine revelation based upon those very facts, including the fact of revelation itself. [00:06:34]
Rudolf Bultmann comes back to say, of course, of course, modern historical consciousness means that we cannot take the New Testament seriously as history. Of course. Of course it's impossible to trust sources that are, are, are so ancient, in terms of the modern demands of historiography. It's impossible to take the New Testament seriously as history. And, instead, he argued that the New Testament in particular, and the stories of Jesus found in the Gospels in particular, and the teaching of the early church, had to be, in his words, "demythologized." [00:09:56]
The quest for the historical Jesus, you get the new quest, and you get the Jesus Seminar. The Jesus Seminar was headed by a man by the name of Robert Funk, a professor of New Testament who gathered together a bunch of scholars and they decided they were going to use, here again, simply the tools of secular historiography in order to determine how much of the New Testament was historically credible. And I'm not making this up. They met together, and each participant in the seminar had four colored marbles. [00:16:03]
In the 1980s, I can remember, in seminary, being introduced to the work of Hans Frei and his colleagues at Yale. And this was being introduced as the, "this is another rescue attempt." This was being introduced as the next new thing in terms of how to rescue Christianity from its historic truth claims. Hans Frei said that even though the vast majority of the New Testament is not to be taken as historical, he said it's "history-like." It's like history. It should be read as being "like history." [00:18:25]
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