The gospel is alive. Like a tree with a great trunk from which a great branch immediately comes forth, almost like a tree with two trunks, from these two mighty upreaches of life come numerous other branches. By the trunk and the first branch I refer to the dual concept of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
This two-fold core has implications that spread out like a living network in which individual themes illumine each other in ever-new ways.
I define Jesus’ gospel as his main message to the public. This is not the same as his advanced teachings. However, this document mentions some themes that are more advanced.
Jesus gave different clusters of gospel truths as the occasion required. Sometimes he taught just a single theme, sometimes a pair of concepts, or a group of three truths, while on occasion he would gave a sermon or discourse involving several themes.
Only intellectual hubris would try to construct a definitive and systematized mega-list of themes. This is not that. Every time I create a list, it changes. I created this list for a gospel training in which one first identifies the spiritual difficulties of a generation and perhaps a particular group. Then, one selects gospel themes that address those difficulties. Finally, one chooses appropriate methods to communicate with the group in question, and ventures forth in God.
I compiled this particular list by paging through Part IV, from the sermon on the kingdom, which Jesus gave near the start of his public career, to his resurrection appearances.
Here are links to additional documents in this series:
Quotes of Jesus' Public Gospel Teachings
Gospel Themes with Quotes, Questions, and Comments
The Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, friendship with God, sonship with God, self-respect
Love
Faith and assurance
Spiritual rebirth, salvation, and eternal life
Spiritual experience, the spirit within, prayer, and worship
Service
Joy and liberty
Planetary destiny
The quest for perfection, becoming and being like God, character achievement, fruits of the spirit
Jesus' divine Sonship
It feels arbitrary to draw a line and stop here. More themes could be mentioned. But this seems enough for present purposes. And best of all, my list does not limit you . . . nor what I might want to say tomorrow. Thank you for stimulating and sharing in this inquiry!
3.3.18