Tripod of the Gospel

Darryl Dash has a good post up referencing a Tim Keller piece in Leadership Journal on "The Gospel in All It's Forms." Read it at Darryl's Blog: Tripod of the Gospel

Keller argues that there is one gospel, a single body of gospel content. But this one gospel message can be expressed in many forms.

Keller offers a tripod, or three points contained within this one gospel:

• Incarnation - Jesus, the promised Messianic King and Son of God, came to earth in human form.
• Atonement - By his death and resurrection, Jesus atoned for our sin and secured our justification by grace, not by our works.
• Restoration - At his return he will complete the renewal of the entire material creation and the resurrection of our bodies.
  

In the original article Keller says the Gospel can be summarized thus:

Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God fully accomplishes salvation for us, rescuing us from judgment for sin into fellowship with him, and then restores his creation in which we can enjoy our new life together with him forever.

Dash concludes:

Keller's description makes sense to me. It emphasizes the unity of the gospel message, centers it on grace and not works, and is focused on the work of God in Christ. It encompasses kingdom and eternal life, and brings out the personal and cosmic implications of the gospel.

Makes sense to me also. I agree with Tim Keller and Darryl Dash.