Can we preach the Good News without the bad news?

Ashley755 · Jan 22, 2019

redleghunter said:
In Romans chapter 1 verse 18 through chapter 3 verse 20, Paul gives a very dire picture of the sinful and unrighteous human condition that we are under the wrath of God. This after first in chapter 1 verses 1-17 showing the hope that is the Gospel. So he starts out by proclaiming the power of the Gospel (the good news) before telling his audience the very bad news and our state as sinners who do not seek God and none who are righteous before a Holy God.

Then in Romans chapter 3 verses 21 through Romans chapter 4 verse 25 he brings us back to the Good News of being justified as a gift by God's grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s epistle to the Romans shows “the bad news” of all have sinned and the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

So why do some Christians, even pastors and preachers avoid telling hearers of the Good News about the “bad news” which condemns us. Frankly if we don’t we are really not preaching the Gospel.

I invite everyone to read Romans chapters 1-5 to get a good picture of how Paul presents the Power of the Gospel to save, then the bad news of how we are all condemned before a Holy God and then takes us on a long discussion about how we are reconciled—Justification.

Romans 1 NASB

Romans 2 NASB

Romans 3 NASB

Romans 4 NASB

Romans 5 NASB

So why do some who claim they are preaching the Gospel omit the bad news of condemnation?

Can we preach the Good News without the bad news?

Honestly... nope. You can't exclude the bad news. It doesn't really make sense that we need saving until we understand what we're being saved from. I believe that to be saved, one must repent and believe. But how can one repent if they are never told they are a sinner? Likewise, the whole action of turning to Christ entails a turning from sin and a continual repentance throughout one's life. A lot of preaching/teaching these days seems to water down the gospel to appeal to more people. But what does it matter how many we reach if we have to turn from God's will to do it?

grasping the after wind · Jan 22, 2019

royal priest said:
The primary threat we need to be saved from is God, Himself. Hell would not pose a danger if it we're not for God's determination to punish us. No one is saved from God unless faith in Jesus is exercised in the context of confessing sin against that God and striving to live for Him.
Many make the mistake of telling sinner's they need to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Everyone has a relationship to Him whether they realize it or not. Salvation is a change in the nature of that relationship from one of enmity to love.

I cannot understand how a Christian can see God as a threat ( the primary threat no less) that we need to be saved from. I have no idea where you get the notion God is determined to punish us . If God is determined to do a thing it will happen. Nothing else can possibly be the case under any circumstance. God is disposed to forgive not punish. Jesus is not here to oppose God's Will( which is His Will as they are One) but to carry it out. Salvation is not a change in the nature of the relationship between God and man the change is the result of salvation not the cause of it.

martymonster · Jan 22, 2019

grasping the after wind said:
I cannot understand how a Christian can see God as a threat ( the primary threat no less) that we need to be saved from. I have no idea where you get the notion God is determined to punish us . If God is determined to do a thing it will happen. Nothing else can possibly be the case under any circumstance. God is disposed to forgive not punish. Jesus is not here to oppose God's Will( which is His Will as they are One) but to carry it out. Salvation is not a change in the nature of the relationship between God and man the change is the result of salvation not the cause of it.

That punishment is God's refining fire. He is indeed determined to punish us, but is not a punitive measure, but rather a refining process. He does not however, plan on punishing anyone indefinitely, that is a man made idea.

grasping the after wind · Jan 22, 2019

redleghunter said:
Where did the OP mention to fear Hell?

I think Paul spoke of God’s wrath and condemnation.

Well if the OP does not find fear of hell a problem and is only concerned with God's wrath and condemnation unrelated to hell then my comments were not applicable .

DamianWarS · Jan 22, 2019

redleghunter said:
I guess offer to cut his lawn and wash his car?

In what way? You mean if you offend him you might end up in his deep freezer in the garage? I hope a Jeffrey Darhmer is not in my neighborhood.

You must have an interesting neighborhood.

For speaking the Gospel? Does he want me to report him for playing music too loudly or report him for not cutting his lawn?

I did not know there were different versions of the Gospel to preach.

Approaches sure. Bullhorn in driveway probably not the right approach. Asking a neighbor why he cleans his dirty car not a bad intro.

Handing a panhandler a Bible with a tract, some food and water and chatting probably good.

Telling a neighbor hey you know you are condemned already as a conversation starter, probably bad tactics.

you don't seem to want to take this seriously so how can you expect I take the OP seriously

grasping the after wind · Jan 22, 2019

martymonster said:
That punishment is God's refining fire. He is indeed determined to punish us, but is not a punitive measure, but rather a refining process. He does not however, plan on punishing anyone indefinitely, that is a man made idea.

If God is determined to punish, has He mentioned why is He determined to do so? Has He explained how punishment can be non punitive? Exactly what punishment are we talking about? What form does it take? As I have yet to be refined by any punishment I am curious as to why God, so determined to punish me has been so lax in doing so. All He has given me so far is love and acceptance. Who knew that was a bad thing?

royal priest · Jan 22, 2019

grasping the after wind said:
I cannot understand how a Christian can see God as a threat ( the primary threat no less) that we need to be saved from. I have no idea where you get the notion God is determined to punish us . If God is determined to do a thing it will happen. Nothing else can possibly be the case under any circumstance. God is disposed to forgive not punish. Jesus is not here to oppose God's Will( which is His Will as they are One) but to carry it out. Salvation is not a change in the nature of the relationship between God and man the change is the result of salvation not the cause of it.

One of many biblical statements regarding God's determination to destroy the impenitent:
Revelation 6:15-17,
The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

redleghunter · Jan 22, 2019

martymonster said:
Well I guess I have to ask, what is the bad news?

Romans 1:18 through 3:20.

redleghunter · Jan 22, 2019

grasping the after wind said:
I cannot understand how a Christian can see God as a threat ( the primary threat no less) that we need to be saved from. I have no idea where you get the notion God is determined to punish us .

You tossed in there "determined" as if it is something desirable. Below is where the term "grapes of wrath" comes from:

Revelation 14: NASB
17And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18Then another angel, the one who has power over fire, came out from the altar; and he called with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because her grapes are ripe.” 19So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. 20And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles.

redleghunter · Jan 22, 2019

grasping the after wind said:
Well if the OP does not find fear of hell a problem and is only concerned with God's wrath and condemnation unrelated to hell then my comments were not applicable .

The wrath of God is not a capricious, impulsive or arbitrary outburst of anger as some (not you of course) try to promote and thus God is not wrathful.

The wrath of God is a settled determined response of a Holy God against sin.

redleghunter · Jan 22, 2019

DamianWarS said:
you don't seem to want to take this seriously so how can you expect I take the OP seriously

I was just addressing the situation.

I gather what is necessary is building a good foundation of trust with neighbors. I just found some of the questions unheard of in my neighborhood but I'm sure are valid in others.

I lived in my current neighborhood 13 years. Both my sons grew up in that neighborhood making friends with all the other kids on the block, I got to know the parents since their kids played on my lawn and backyard with my sons and our Yellow Labrador. We fed them snacks, drinks (hot in Texas in the summer) and I coached most them in baseball and the ones that did not play on my team taught most of them boys and girls how to throw, catch and swing a bat. So the foundation just happened by me and family being good neighbors and the boys interacting with most of the families on the block through their kids playing, school etc. We got to know the parents too as they were in PTA, in sports etc. Therefore, the conversations on God, the Bible and the Gospel are usually welcome. Some of the responses are things I am sure you have heard "I have to get back to church" or "I've been looking for a church" which opens the dialogue more with an invite to church or a Bible study.

So I agree you have to build foundations of trust, but the neighborhood I'm in that was easy just me and family being ourselves.

bcbsr · Jan 22, 2019

redleghunter said:
In Romans chapter 1 verse 18 through chapter 3 verse 20, Paul gives a very dire picture of the sinful and unrighteous human condition that we are under the wrath of God. This after first in chapter 1 verses 1-17 showing the hope that is the Gospel. So he starts out by proclaiming the power of the Gospel (the good news) before telling his audience the very bad news and our state as sinners who do not seek God and none who are righteous before a Holy God.

Then in Romans chapter 3 verses 21 through Romans chapter 4 verse 25 he brings us back to the Good News of being justified as a gift by God's grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s epistle to the Romans shows “the bad news” of all have sinned and the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

So why do some Christians, even pastors and preachers avoid telling hearers of the Good News about the “bad news” which condemns us. Frankly if we don’t we are really not preaching the Gospel.

I invite everyone to read Romans chapters 1-5 to get a good picture of how Paul presents the Power of the Gospel to save, then the bad news of how we are all condemned before a Holy God and then takes us on a long discussion about how we are reconciled—Justification.

Romans 1 NASB

Romans 2 NASB

Romans 3 NASB

Romans 4 NASB

Romans 5 NASB

So why do some who claim they are preaching the Gospel omit the bad news of condemnation?

Can we preach the Good News without the bad news?

Good point. For example many salvation by works Christians will misconstrued Rom 2:7 as the "good news" To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. Whereas Paul doesn't get to the good news until the middle of chapter 3. In Rom 2:7 Paul is preaching the law and its implication, much as Jesus also did in Luke 18 and other places where he was asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He responded not with the good news, but with the Law. But salvation by works Christians often misconstrue the gospel as being one's compliance to the Law.

Llewelyn Stevenson · Jan 23, 2019

Let us never forget that Paul was writing to the Church. These people were already saved. So to quote him as preaching to the unsaved in such a manner may not be correct.

I do not advocate not preaching sin and salvation, I do this and defend it.

What I am saying is, go to where the gospel is preached [the Gospels and Acts], read the content, understand the audience, and listen to the Holy Spirit.

I lament that preachers purposefully avoid sin and judgment because they are part of the elementary doctrines of Jesus [see Hebrews 6:1 to 3]; but I do not always preach these things.

Many times the lost are aware of their plight, they're just not sure what can be done about it. Jesus did it. Show them that he is the way: always and the only way.

Listen to the Holy Spirit. Some need compassion and others a slap to get their attention. Jude 1: 22 & 23.

God's wisdom is the best wisdom, ask him what you should say.

Follow Peter [who spoke mostly to Jews], and Paul as he speaks to the Gentiles. See if you can pick up the content of their message. Then look at each audience and see how the Holy Spirit understood each one of them.

Can we preach the Good News without the bad news?

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