The Gospel Coalition :: DA Carson

The vibe here at The Gospel Coalition Conference is very refreshing. I have never been to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School so it is a good time. It is an interesting thing. We are meeting in the chapel which is not overly spacious, but is pretty much packed, I’m guessing about 500 folks. The age and background of the attendees are varied. Walking around you have John Piper, Tim Keller, DA Carson, Ligon Duncan, Mark Driscoll and many other guys. Guys are very accessible and very kind, which is what you would kind of expect at a conference about the gospel. We also had pretty good seats, right behind Carson and Tim Keller (both pictured here)

Carson starting things out today by preaching a session that focused on defining the gospel. This message was what we have come to expect from Carson, a top notch message that exalts Christ and humbles pride.

Here is an outline according to my notes:

1. The Gospel is Christological (that is it is “irrevocably Christ-Centered”, Carson called Jesus the “Mediatorial Monarch” great quote).
2. The Gospel is Theological (the death of Jesus was to satisfy wrath and provide sufficient righteousness)
3. The Gospel is Biblical (Christ died “according to the Scriptures)
4. The Gospel is Apostolic (Jesus was revealed through the apostolic message: “whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed” 1 Cor. 15.11)
5. The Gospel is Historical (part of the validity of the faith is the truthfulness of its object….Christianity is centered on the historicity of Jesus, this is over and against all other religions…the Bible never asks us to believe anything that is not true…and it uniquely aims to strengthen our faith by calling us to read it)
6. The Gospel is Personal (not only is the gospel historical but it also comes to individuals)
7. The Gospel is Universal (it does not save everyone but it does not discriminate against particular people groups, but rather comprehensively calls people from every tribe and tongue)
8. The Gospel is Eschatological (we look forward to the final and full realization of the glorious transformation wrought by the gospel).

Five Clarifying Sentences

1. The gospel is normally disseminated in proclamation (the evangel is disseminated in a heraldic ministry as the Scriptural norm)
2. The gospel is demonstrated in authentic persevering faith
3. The gospel is properly disclosed in the context of self-humiliation (proper application of the gospel makes a proud Christian an oxymoron)
4. The gospel is rightly asserted to be the central confession of the church
5. The gospel is boldly advancing under the reign and victory of King Jesus

Carson ended with a great closing. I know the manuscript and audio will be up eventually. I highly recommend it.

Possibly Related posts:

1. D.A. Carson video on the Gospel (from the Gospel Coalition Conference)
2. Some thoughts on The Gospel Coalition Conference
3. Gospel Coalition 2009 Conference Audio
4. The Gospel Coalition Conference
5. The Gospel Coalition Site is now up

12 Responses to “The Gospel Coalition :: DA Carson”

1. Justin Buzzard says:

   May 23, 2007 at 9:05 pm

   Great chatting with you today Erik. Ask Pat about Cru Jones & RAD. See you around tomorrow.
2. david ulmer says:

   May 23, 2007 at 11:33 pm

   Erik,
   1. The Gospel is Christological -Yes, absolutely. The Gospel is Christ. The Good News is Jesus.
   2. The Gospel is Theological (Jesus is God)
   3. The Gospel is Biblical (Jesus is the embodiment of revelation. He is the living WORD)
   4. The Gospel is Apostolic (The Apostles saw the risen Christ)
   5. The Gospel is Historical (Jesus was a real man in history, “He was crucified under Pontius Pilate)
   6. The Gospel is Personal (Christ died for us and loves us personally as individuals)
   7. The Gospel is Universal (“because we are convinced that one [Jesus] has died for all; 2 Cor 5:14, For Christ also died for sins once for all; Peter 3:18)
   8. The Gospel is Eschatological (“He will come again to judge the living and the dead”)

   Five Clarifying Sentences
   1. The good news of Jesus is normally disseminated in proclamation
   2. The good news of Jesus is demonstrated [or lived] in authentic persevering faith
   3. The good news of Jesus is properly disclosed in the context of self-humiliation (for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5)
   4. The good news of Jesus is rightly asserted to be the central confession of the church. His body is the Church.
   5. The good news of Jesus is boldly advancing until He comes in glory and victory as our King.

   This seems a little less confusing to me and without any mixture of error.
   Keep pressing on!
   David
3. david ulmer says:

   May 24, 2007 at 12:10 am

   I should have written “He suffered under Pontius Pilate”. That comment about no mixture of error made me go back and do a little more checking. I should probably say something more genuinely humble like it is without any obvious mixture of error especially in concepts.
4. From the Gospel Coalition « Provocations & Pantings says:

   May 24, 2007 at 5:32 am

   [...] Erik Raymond: The Gospel Coalition Conference The Gospel Coaltion :: D.A. Carson [...]
5. arlog60 says:

   May 24, 2007 at 6:39 am

   Great notes Erik! I can be there vicariously through your blogging….thank you. I can’t wait for the audio, as I thoroughly enjoyed Carson at the Desiring God Conf last fall. Sounds like another marquee message.
6. The Gospel Coalition Conference at PastorBlog says:

   May 24, 2007 at 8:52 am

   [...] Erik Raymond: The Gospel Coalition :: DA Carson [...]
7. Barry says:

   May 24, 2007 at 11:09 am

   Thanks Erik for keeping us readers abreast of the happenings ala..Challies. Amen to what Dave G. said. I am looking forward to downloading and listening to the audio from the conference. You guys take care in your travels. I look forward to hearing more from you in the next few days, Lord willing.
8. Cade says:

   May 24, 2007 at 11:23 am

   Thanks for being our fly on the wall. You take good notes.
9. Chris says:

   May 24, 2007 at 6:08 pm

   I echo the thanks of the others, and I can’t wait for the conference to be available online

   Cheers
10. Steve says:

    May 25, 2007 at 11:24 am

    Thanks for sharing this with us. I am envious of you being there.
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    May 26, 2007 at 3:35 am

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