What is
the message of the New Testament?
What
story does it convey to us?
Where
is the unity in the 27 books that make up this canon?
How
does one take in the miracle of the virgin birth, teaching in the temple at age
12, calling disciples in the middle of their work day—and they follow Jesus, or
walking on water? What do we make of all of the parables and teachings of
Jesus?
What
should we think of all the miracles?
Then we
come to the passion of the Christ. We struggle to embrace his physical
suffering and we marvel at his passion for a people who were lost in sin and
hated him.
We
consider the death on a cross, the empty tomb, and the witnessing of a
resurrected Jesus—a Jesus who had defeated death.
We
consider the early churches and the work of the apostles and their struggles
with those who would manipulate the Good News.
We
consider strong counsel to not just read these words of faith, but to live
them.
Where
is the common thread in all of this?
A very
wise man, Dr. William Rustenhaven, suggested that the message of the New
Testament is simply, Jesus
is Lord. Could it be that simple?
This
survey explores and confirms that this is a very viable thread throughout the
gospels, epistles, and eschatology of the New Testament. Decide for
yourself if you agree with Dr. Rustenhaven and myself, that the message of the
New Testament is JESUS IS
LORD!
