The Gospel in 3 Words

“Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.”

—J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: 1993), 214

(ht: 1st Importance)

Possibly Related posts:

1. Should a Christian echo Tim Hardaway’s words towards gay people?
2. D.A. Carson video on the Gospel (from the Gospel Coalition Conference)
3. Make the Gospel Your Hobby Horse
4. Election is not the problem…sin is
5. Learning to be impressed with the gospel

6 Responses to “The Gospel in 3 Words”

1. Scott C says:

   November 20, 2009 at 9:33 am

   Yes, but if you were allowed to proclaim the gospel in 3 words to the unbelieving masses would they be compelled by these words?
2. Joey says:

   November 20, 2009 at 9:37 am

   BOOM! There it is. Gospel in 3.
   I love it.
   I’m always trying to meditate on the gospel and how I would summarize it in 3, 5, 9, etc. words. I went to TBN with Christian Ebner (he was guest singer). I went around to all the guest speakers and asked them to summarize the gospel in a sentence. It was sad, but very eye opening. I made sure to document my findings.

   Man, I need to see Packer preach before he dies. I hope he doesn’t go more senile and start denying more important doctrines in his old age.
3. Joey says:

   November 20, 2009 at 9:40 am

   Scott,

   The point of the 3 word summary isn’t for evangelism. The point is for gospel clarity for your own heart. It helps oneself come to grips with the heart of the gospel. This is important because so many people define it differently. When you have a tighter grip on the gospel, it will thus not only give you a more fluent understanding, but hopefully a greater love for it as well.
4. Erik says:

   November 20, 2009 at 9:45 am

   Scott, I agree w Joey. We have to comm the gospel of such robust truth in an understandable manner 4 the ‘man on the street’, but these three words are VERY ‘pregnant’ in Packer’s terms. If you are communicating the gospel then you are communicating propitiation. You have got to otherwise you have wrath undealt with and a relationship that is still characterized by enmity. I wouldn’t put this on a tract but I would put this on a tract. You know what I mean? This must characterize our witness, but it must be a thoughtful clear unpacking of this truth to people who quite possibly have no clue what these terms mean. Make sense?
5. luke g says:

   November 20, 2009 at 10:24 pm

   Solid Summary
6. Scott C says:

   November 23, 2009 at 1:23 am

   Erik & Joey,
   Much agreed. It just made me think of how one might present the gospel in 3 words to an unbeliever if that is all you had (kinda of like a twitter thing).

   From another angle it got me to thinking about the old neon urban signs that read, “Jesus Saves.” I wonder how effective such messages have been.