📖 Biblical Definition
The good news — the gospel — is the announcement that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth (Romans 1:16). The good news presupposes bad news: that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Without the reality of sin, judgment, and wrath, there is no good news — only empty sentimentality. The gospel is good news precisely because it announces rescue from a real and terrible danger.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
GOSPEL: The history of Jesus Christ, comprehending His birth, life, death, resurrection, and doctrines. Glad tidings.
expand to see more
GOS'PEL, n. 1. The history of Jesus Christ, comprehending his birth, life, actions, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, and the whole of his doctrines and precepts. 2. God's word. 3. Any general doctrine. Webster understood the gospel as the historical account of Christ's redemptive work — not a philosophy or a set of principles, but a record of divine action.
📖 Key Scripture
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 — "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day."
• Romans 1:16 — "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation."
• Mark 1:15 — "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
• Isaiah 52:7 — "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The good news has been redefined as social improvement rather than salvation from sin and wrath.
expand to see more
The modern church has increasingly redefined the good news as social justice, community development, or personal fulfillment. The "social gospel" movement replaces salvation from sin with salvation from poverty. Progressive Christianity replaces the cross with activism. The prosperity gospel replaces eternal life with temporal wealth. All of these share a common error: they strip the gospel of its essential content — the substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ for sinners under divine wrath. Good news that does not address sin, judgment, and atonement is not the biblical gospel — it is, as Paul warned, "another gospel" that is no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7).
Usage
• "The good news is not that God has a wonderful plan for your life — it is that Christ died in your place to satisfy the wrath you deserved."
• "Without the bad news of sin and judgment, there is no good news — just empty optimism with no foundation."