The Jesus Gospel: Recovering the lost message

Jonathan Carswell interviews Liam Goligher for beginningwithmoses.org

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For readers of beginingwithmoses.org the debate surrounding Steve Chalke’s book The Lost Message of Jesus is nothing new. Much has been said around the country between Christian friends and colleagues; however there appears to have been a lack of clear, succinct, defence of the truth that directly responds to Steve’s message…until now that is.

Following ‘a major ignorance among evangelical people about what the gospel is’ which has lead to ‘the world hearing something less than the message they need to hear’ Dr Liam Goligher, Senior Minister of Duke Street Church, in Richmond, Surry, began work on a direct answer to Steve’s work.

Dr Goligher’s ‘masterly and authoritative book’ – The Jesus Gospel – Recovering the Lost Message tackles head on the issues surrounding the wonderful, yet mysterious work of Christ on the cross. Its publication comes after over a year of work from Dr Goligher and what he has written is a rigorous, unswerving response. ‘[Because of the ignorance] I wrote it for the world on one hand and the church on the other, not the scholars (we have brilliant orthodox scholars who are writing for pastors and students) but for ordinary church people.’

The message of the cross as the central piece of Christianity has caused disagreement, disgust and division for centuries. A gruesome act, carried out by a loving Father, on His only Son, for the redemption of His rebellious creation? It is, as we have said, a mystery.

So how do we even begin to understand the majesty and immensity of God’s chosen rescue plan? Have we misunderstood the work of God on the cross? Have we deceived ourselves with a notion of penal substitution or can we really rely on the message of the cross in the Bible? And crucially, if the Bible is right, how can we effectively defend the awesome work of God on our behalf?

The Rise of the Problem

To tackle the problem we must understand where it has come from. The truth of the Bible has always ‘scholars’ and others trying to knock chunks out of it, dismissing elements of it, and therefore rejecting it as a whole. So why the sudden new wave of doubt, worrying, deceiving the church? Does Dr Goligher blame Steve Chalke for this recent demise in trusting the work of God for our redemption? Surprisingly, and unlike many, Dr Goligher believes it would be unfair to ‘demonise’ Steve. At the end of the day Steve ‘is a brother who has spent his years in service of Christ and the church. But this book represents a new Steve (as far as his theology is concerned). His book simply popularises what has been being written about and discussed by scholars and theologians…Suddenly Steve’s very celebrity status has brought this new teaching into the public domain.’ Where many are cursing Steve, and his ‘Lost Message’, Dr Goligher wonders actually, if we should ‘at one level we should be grateful to him for his candour.’

Dr Goligher would also dispute whether it was The Lost Message of Jesus that shook the churches’ confidence in the cross, or merely exposed the deep rooted nervousness that was already present among the people of God. ‘This book brought out into the open the real discrepancy between professing the “name” of evangelical and holding on to the historical evangelical understanding of the evangel (gospel).’

Peace v Truth

There is a feeling amongst some that peace within the church is more important than defending this particular doctrine, and causing disruption and upset. The danger with producing a book like The Jesus Gospel is that it raises the ugly head of argument again, and we never settle, being at peace with our brothers. Dr Goligher argues that defining and defending the gospel is worth any disagreement it may bring however, even within the church.

‘I am reminded of Elijah encountering Ahab and the king called him “a troubler of Israel”’, says Dr Goligher. ‘If anyone had troubled the people of God then it was the leader who had led them into idolatry. If anyone has disturbed the peace of Christ’s church it is those who introduce into her life new, strange and unbiblical doctrines, doctrines which would, if left unchallenged lead to her demise. Many of these new ideas [regarding penal substitution] have been here before – and the empty churches, the churches converted into carpet stores, apartments, even nightclubs demonstrate where these doctrines lead. They undermine the faith of God’s people. Some new movements prize conversation over proclamation, dialogue over dogma and they have nothing definite to say to the people of God who are looking for certainty. But the scriptures are full of assertions of certainty. We are meant to know what we believe. And Jesus wants his people to be clear about the main things and learn to be gracious about the unimportant things.’

Personal Affects

No holding back from Dr Goligher when it comes to the need to defend this particular doctrine then, but is he fearful that writing this book could cause unrest within the church and lead to a negative view of him and his ministry?

‘One leader wrote warning me about the ramifications of re-opening the subject. I don’t know what that will be. I have always tried to pursue a positive ministry of the word and controversy does not come easy to me, I avoid disagreeable subjects usually. Actually I think the book will be an effective tool in evangelism and I know people who are planning on giving it to thinking non-Christian friends. I hope more of that happens because it is only secondarily controversial. The views I express would have been recognised as mainstream until relatively recently and represent historic evangelicalism, orthodox Protestantism, and biblical Christianity.’

Writing a book is, so they say, a little like having a baby: emotional, exciting, hard work and all that is even before it’s born! So how was this experience for Dr Goligher, who has written one other book before (The Fellowship of the King, Authentic Media, 2003): ‘It was the most enjoyable work of my life so far. The theme is so exalted, so focused on Christ, so convincing of the truth of Scripture, and so warm and invigorating to the soul. I think it’s re-awakened in me that which got me into the ministry as a teenager in the first place. It was the Lord Jesus Himself in all His glory as our Saviour. I feel drawn out to Him in love for ever planning such an enterprise of love as the incarnation and his substitution for my sins.’

Defending Doctrine

‘I am conscious,’ Dr Goligher continued, ‘that we who teach will be judged all the more severely on the last day (as James says). Therefore we cannot let false teaching slip by unchallenged. Because others will be influenced by it and will either teach it or simply stop teaching the truth in all its fullness. This is what has been happening in Britain. Some truths are simply not being taught any more. And Christians have been content to wander around to various events to get handy hints on how to do this or that in their Christian lives while neglecting the very doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian in the first place. They are therefore wide open to being led astray. I don’t think any pastor can sit quiet while that is happening.’

So what does he hope this book will achieve, in changing this dangerous yet popular habit of neglecting the very doctrines that are the foundation of what Christianity stands for: ‘First I hope Christians will feel confident that the gospel revealed in scripture is true and effective in the lives of those who believe. I hope too that they will have greater discernment to see through the things that are being said or not said in our churches. Secondly, I hope that people will feel confident to give the book to non-Christian friends. At a time when people are reading The DaVinci Code and hearing about the Gospel of Judas amongst other things, it might be good for them to read something of the drama of redemption as it is played out in all the Scriptures.’

Jonathan Carswell is Youth Pastor at Hamilton Road Baptist Church in Bangor