A “Fundamental” Misconception: An Unfortunate Distortion of the Gospel by Fundamentalists

Biblically, it seems that the Gospel is fairly simple.  However, mankind has managed (not surprisingly) to confuse the issue. 

Some present the Gospel as entailing full surrender – emphasis on full.  “If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all”.  At least, that is the way the position is stereotyped.  Others see the Gospel as being the premiere doctrine, outside of which everything else is debatable.  In this view, we can work “together for the Gospel” despite our significant differences in other areas of doctrine.  The Gospel has taken center stage for a vast swath of Evangelicalism, if the fad of Gospel-centered everything is any indication.  

In my sliver of Christianity (which, though not entirely accurately, might be called “Fundamentalism”), I have noticed an unfortunate and misleading trend.  There has been a shift in focus, an emphasis on a relatively insignificant point related to the Gospel.  This emphasis confuses the goal of the Gospel and evidences a shallow understanding of Bible doctrine.  I am frankly surprised at its continued use, especially by people that I think should be more thoughtful (analytical) in their presentation.  After all, it is of grand importance that we get the Gospel right and that we articulate it properly!  

For decades now, the prevailing trend in Gospel presentation has been to direct the conversation immediately to the subject of Heaven.  The Gospel is characterized as being a “path to Heaven”.  The end goal of the Gospel is knowing “that you will spend eternity in Heaven”.  The first question in an evangelistic conversation so often has been the following: “If you died today, are you 100% sure that . . .”  I don’t even have to finish the question, do I?  It has been such a part of the fundamentalist Gospel mindset that the verbiage is engrained. 

But what if we recognized that Heaven is not the predominant goal of the Gospel?

Heaven is a By-product

The core concept of the Gospel is succinctly stated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20. He presented (by inspiration of God) the Gospel-giver as standing “in Christ’s stead”.  And what is this message which he communicates “in Christ’s stead”?  Here it is: “be ye reconciled to God”.  The human problem is alienation from the Creator!  And the answer is summed up in one word — reconciliation.  

A proper understanding of the Gospel rests upon an understanding of God — He is the Creator of existence, the Designer and Definer of reality.  Mankind has consciously rejected (at some level) His authority and has assumed to itself the authority to define what is good and what is bad (just as Adam did at the beginning).  Every individual of such an age as to comprehend this concept is guilty before God for resisting Him, choosing his/her own way.  What is needed is reconciliation — a restoration to peace in the relationship.  

Heaven is Only a Place

The Gospel is a message about a relationship, not a future home.  While reconciliation to God includes a future with Him in Heaven, it includes so many other blessings as well.  Presenting Heaven as the desired object seems to cheapen the Gospel.  It certainly makes it more appealing, especially to a materialistic, comfort-minded, self-serving culture.  But it certainly doesn’t clarify the actual problem or the solution.  

The problem is not that one cannot access Heaven; the problem is that one is alienated from God in Whom is life.  Reconciliation with God is eternal life.  God is the source of life; thus, alienation from Him is death.  John makes it clear that “he that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12).  The Gospel is about an immediate and irreversible reconciliation to God; it is not (primarily) about access to a place sometime in the future.  The candidate for salvation isn’t primarily looking to gain something in the future; he is looking to immediately resolve the issue of his separation with God!  

Heaven is Not the Only Place

Many believers have a short-sighted view of the “last days” and are simply looking toward the Rapture.  But what then?  

After the Rapture will come a time of Tribulation – Daniel’s 70th week – after which Jesus will return to set up a 1,000-year earthly kingdom.  Further down the timeline of Scriptural revelation, though, we find the “Final Battle”.  Satan, who had been bound in the bottomless pit during the Millennium, will be released and lead one final revolt against King Jesus.  

But the story does not end there.  After Satan is cast once and for all into the Lake of Fire, the then-known world will be consumed by fire, and God will make “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev. 21:1 cf. 2 Pet. 3:13).  I believe that Christians will have access to that New Earth, and its exploration may be a fascinating part of our eternity.  In other words, I don’t even think it is entirely accurate to say that we will spend eternity with God “in Heaven” unless we understand eternity as the hymn-writer described it — “and heaven and earth [will] be one”.  

We do well to reconsider the place of Heaven in the Gospel conversation.  The Gospel starts with God and announces reconciliation which results in an immediate entrance into blessedness. 

May God bless your efforts to articulately proclaim this wonderful message!