A Relevant Gospel
The world is drastically different than it was in the time of Christ. Social evolution from an agrarian culture to the industrial revolution and finally to the information age has radically transformed society. Communication in ancient times consisted of verbally transmitted messages, or hand-carried writings, delivered by a messenger. The messenger walked, ran, or rode a beast in a caravan over difficult paths. During the Persian Empire elaborate road systems were first developed. Even with such improvements it took three months to cover the 1,600 miles from their capital of Susa to the city of Sardis (in present day Turkey).[1]
This stands in stark contrast to today’s instant transmission of a multitude of information sources daily available in print, by the media, or on the Internet. Contact with people in other nations and remote regions of the earth is now possible instantly with the accessibility of a phone line and a modem. Millions of bits of information in the form of electronic mail (E-mail) are transmitted daily around the world with the click of a key on a personal computer. Satellite transmission makes live video available immediately from anywhere in the world.
In the face of such changes in our modern world contrasted with the Biblical and ancient world, it is reassuring to know that the Gospel is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. Perhaps even more so, there has never been more need for the “good news”! Faith transcends all ages. However, the challenge for the church in our present society is to contextualize the truths of the Bible to people who live in a very different age. We must successfully relate an age-old gospel to a new-age culture!
[1] Ralph Gower, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987), 230.
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