“We have a gospel to proclaim” we sing together. “What is it then?” is the obvious rejoinder.
* The hymn goes on to deliver a narrative summary of the life of Jesus. The assumption seems to be that the story is the thing. Are we really sure about that, and if so is our recitation changing the world?
* Is the gospel functionally equivalent to whatever good news grabs us in the moment?
* If it is defined in the New Testament, then which part? Are there many gospels?
* How did the Testament writers actually use this term and its cognates?
* Two thousand years later, has the gospel of Christ changed? If not, how can it be the same thing?