When we say “gospel,” many people define it as the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Others quickly describe it as “the good news of God.” Both are true, but the gospel is ultimately God’s way of reconciling all things back to himself through Jesus Christ. The gospel is not only about identifying sin and receiving God’s forgiveness; it is also God’s call to participate in restoring what is broken—healing relationships not just among humanity, but with all creation. Christians often embrace only part of the gospel story—for example, focusing on spiritual salvation without justice, or on social action without evangelism. We must resist the temptation to fragment or reduce God’s mission. At its core, the gospel is about reconciliation, and this reconciliation is holistic: personal forgiveness, communal peace, and ecological stewardship.
As Tizon explains, “The circular dimension of reconciliation requires that the gospel, to which we bear witness in word and deed, include the good news of right relationship between humanity and the rest of the created order, fulfilling part of God’s promise to mend broken creation, to reconcile all things” (Tizon 2018, 89). The mission of the church, then, is to live out this reconciling gospel in a fractured world.
This emphasis on wholeness echoes Michele Hershberger’s reflection: “As we have been reconciled to God, we naturally work at reconciliation with others, with creation, and with our inner selves. We naturally seek to help the world find this ‘at-oneness’ too” (Hershberger 2019, 80). The cross demonstrates God’s victory over sin, the depth of divine love, and the means by which humanity is restored to fellowship with God and neighbor. For Hershberger, Jesus’ death is not only about securing individual salvation but also about God’s reconciling work on a cosmic scale—shaping believers to embody forgiveness, peace, and justice.
Together, Tizon and Hershberger show that the gospel is bigger than a private transaction between one person and God. It is multi-dimensional, touching not only our lives but everything around us. The gospel is not a static story confined to the past but an ongoing story that includes us today. As the church, we are called into this larger story—proclaiming God’s shalom, embodying the good news by teaching forgiveness, caring for creation, seeking justice for the oppressed, and pointing all people to the reconciling love of Jesus Christ.
References
Hershberger, Michele. 2019. Why Did Jesus Die and What Difference Does it Make? N.p.: MennoMedia.
Tizon, Al. 2018. Whole and Reconciled: Gospel, Church, and Mission in a Fractured World. N.p.: Baker Publishing Group.
