RLGN 104
DB 2 & Replies
After reading "The Gospel Message" article in the Module/Week 4 Reading & Study folder, answer the
following questions (250–500 words total). These questions must be answered in separate paragraphs.
Your replies to at least 2 other classmates’ threads must be 150–300 words each. (Note: Submissions
fewer than 75 words will receive no credit.) At least 2 positive comments or observations about the
thread.At least 2 suggestions or thoughts you would add to the thread. How could your classmate
improve his or her post? What should he or she have added or eliminated? What Scripture, course
content, and/or research could he or she have used to support his or her comments?
What are various ways the gospel message is perceived in our culture?
What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the gospel message?
What are some specific emotional reasons people may reject the gospel message?
What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the gospel message?
What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the gospel message?
Note: Scripture, course content, or research must be included in your answers where appropriate and
must be cited properly with in-text citations and a reference, works cited or bibliography section at the
end of your thread. See links in Assignment Instructions for details how to cite content to avoid
plagiarism. Review the Discussion Board Forum 2 Instructions and grading rubric before completing this
assignment.
What are various ways the gospel message is perceived in our culture?
Today’s fast paced, instant gratification culture makes sharing the gospel message difficult at times.
People today tend to view the gospel message of Jesus as our Savior as one of the many ways to heaven
or enlightenment, as they put it, not the one and only way to the Father as we Christians know it to be.
Others believe Jesus to have been a great teacher and nothing more negating the gospel message to that
of only a fable. Then there are still those who know the message to be true yet run from the truth while
knowing what is right and wrong.
What are some specific moral reasons people may reject the gospel message?
Morality to the unbeliever is subjective. Many non-Christians feel they are a ‘good’ person and may even
use the excuse that they have never hurt anyone or broken any laws. They cannot understand God’s
standard of right and wrong because of this reasoning and feel they have no need for a Savior when they
are considered good in their own eyes or that of society. “Even though a person may not feel they are a
sinner in need of salvation, the truth is they are” (Gutierrez & Weider, 2017, p. 101). The Bible clearly
says all men have sinned and are in need of Christ as their Savior (Romans 3:23, KJV).
What are some specific emotional reasons people may reject the gospel message?
One emotional reason which stands out in my mind that hinders people from receiving the gospel
message is pride. Pride is a deep rooted emotional response that can blind people from seeing the truth
behind the gospel message and keep them from accepting Christ. Pride that they are good enough
without help of the gospel or pride that they can do things on their own is an emotional crutch they cling
to. When finally weeded out, prideful people can see the need they have for a Savior and accept the
message that Christ was sent even for them.
What are some specific intellectual reasons people may reject the gospel message?
Growing up in church, I often heard older Christians commiserate over someone who would not accept
the message of the gospel presented to them by stating the person was ‘too smart to see the truth of
the message’. As a child, I could not understand this thinking. If someone was smart, in my mind, then
they would accept Jesus and what He had done for them. As I matured I learned what these seasoned
Christians meant. Sometimes intellect itself hinders someone from accepting the gospel message the
way it was intended to be accepted, through faith, faith in what we cannot see. Thomas doubted Christ
had risen and needed to see for himself the evidence before he accepted Christ’s resurrection (Hindson,
2016). Many people fall into the trap of wanting the logic, the science, or the intellectual reasoning
behind Jesus before they accept the message of what He offered them when they could have the gift of
salvation from the start through simple faith.
What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the gospel message?
I have often felt just as each person God created is different, sharing the gospel message with individuals
must be unique as well. There is one message, one way to Heaven, and that is through Christ, but
sharing the message is not a cookie cutter recipe, one size fits all. Tailoring the delivery of the message
with bits of grace, mercy, sincerity, empathy, and love to suit the hurts, the pains, and the needs of the
individual can lead to people feeling accepted for who they are, loved, and hopeful. Then as those
individuals seek Christ, He will do the healing and the restoration in their lives. We must simple remain
open to be used by Him.
References
Gutierrez, B. & Weider, L. (2017). Finding Your Worldview (p. 101). B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved
from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.
Hindson, E. (2016). Everyday Biblical Worldview. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.com.
Reply 1 Hello, Sebastian. I enjoyed reading your post. How accurate you were about people today being
skeptical about the gospel message. With the rise of science and higher education, so many people have
lost their ability to accept the message of Christ’s forgiveness with a childlike faith as the Bible. They
question and tear apart the simple message that all have sinned and can be forgiven through Christ’s
sacrifice and resurrection until they are blinded to the truth of the gospel. Faith is something hard to put
into play in our world of technology and fast-paved living. If only we could slow down and accept the
gospel message as it was given, with love. Too many times people want the whys and hows of things
choosing not to see the truth that the gospel message was God’s gift to mankind. If we can be less like
Thomas needing to see Christ to believe and more child-like, faith would come to answer all the
questions which may arise (Hindson, 2016).
Reference
Hindson, E. (2016). Everyday Biblical Worldview. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from
https://app.wordsearchbible.com.
Reply 2
Hello, Andrew. I was saddened by your post. What a powerful opening about the books which try to
discredit God and His love for mankind. You made an impactful opening image of how society views the
gospel message. Many people today either view Christianity as outdated, something they do not need, a
myth, or something science could not prove, but how wrong they all are. If only they could see that all
people have sinned and are in need of a Savior, the truth would not be a weight around their necks as
they suspect, but enlightening (Weider & Gutierrez, 2017). Accepting the gift God gave us, the sacrifice
of His Son Jesus for our sins, is such a simplistic act but requires great faith. It is sad that so many cannot
see the wonder and love God had when He created this means by which we can be with Him for eternity.
Reference
Weider, L. & Gutierrez, B. (2017). Finding Your Worldview. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved
from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.
