From the early church to today, Christianity has been characterized by debate. Church councils, letters, books and 95 statements nailed to a church door are a few of the ways matters of religion and religious life have been bantered about. When I was in college, we took a coffee break after theology class, and we argued until the next class began. We didn’t solve the issues, but we did gain understanding by healthy discussion and debate. I have often said that many of the theological errors are the result of going into ditches on one side of the road or the other. This is true with the gospel. Since the phrase “gospel of the Kingdom” is used periodically in Scripture, some would have us believe that the gospel has nothing to do with the forgiveness of sins. They would say that the gospel is a way of life that brings help and compassion to the world. Others would call that a “social gospel” and highlight a verse like Ephesians 1:13, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” Of course, both sides are right because the gospel is much more comprehensive than we often acknowledge. The gospel certainly includes the forgiveness of sins made possible by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The gospel also means that God is at work in the world, and we get to join Him. His kingdom is “at hand.” Kingdom work would include love, justice, acts of benevolence and advocacy for the marginalized. But just to be clear, as Greg Gilbert wrote, “To be a Christian, to be a partaker of the blessings of the Kingdom, requires one first go through the gate—that is, to come to Christ in faith and be forgiven of sin.” Let’s be whole gospel