Before we get into each of the four biographies of Jesus in the New Testament, let's explore what "the gospel" meant before and after Jesus came to Earth. Join Dr Ali Robinson as she walks us through the political and regal connotations of "the gospel", and how Jesus radically transformed its meaning forever.

Meet Our Guest:

Dr Ali Robinson is a New Testament lecturer at United Theological College, part of Charles Sturt University in Sydney, Australia. Dr Robinson specialises in New Testament studies, with particular expertise in the biblical book of Jude. With a strong background in both academic research and teaching, she brings valuable insight into how historical contexts shape the understanding of religious texts.

Alexandra Robinson - School of Theology (csu.edu.au) 

Bible references in this episode:

• 2:40 – The Book of Jude  

• 7:30 – The Gospel of Mark 

• 7:45 – The Book of Galatians 

• 9:05 – Isaiah 40:9, 52:7, 61:1 

• 13:30 – Mark 1:1 - "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God..."

• 15:30 – Mark 8:27-33 - “You are the Messiah” and “Get behind me Satan.” 

• 15:47 – Mark 15:39 - “Truly this was the Son of God.” 

Helpful resources mentioned by Ali:

• 10:00 – Jonathan Pennington – Reading the Gospels Wisely 

• 18:03 – Richard Bauckham and oral tradition – Jesus and the Eyewitnesses 

Key Takeaways:

• The term "gospel" originally referred to political declarations in the Greco-Roman world, including imperial announcements and victories.

• In a Jewish context, the word "gospel" found in the Book of Isaiah conveyed future hope and divine restoration.

• Early Christians, notably Paul, redefined "gospel" to embody the message of Jesus Christ, emphasising humility, compassion, and salvation.

• The New Testament Gospels reflect a dual narrative: asserting Jesus's divine power while showcasing his servanthood and sacrificial love.

• The word "gospel" has since become inseparable from the story of Jesus, symbolising the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to humanity.

Notable Quotes:

• "When they used this word in the Greco-Roman world, it was usually in association to some sort of emperor, like 'Good news, the new emperor's been born.'" - Dr. Ali Robinson

• "The good news is that God hasn't abandoned creation. God cares deeply for all that he has made." - Dr. Ali Robinson

• "Through weakness, we really see who Jesus is and I don't think there's anything comparable to that across human history." - Dr. Ali Robinson

• "Jesus being the one who breaks into the world as God incarnate... starts the rule of God here on earth." - Dr. Ali Robinson

Hosted by Ben McEachen from Hope 1032 in Sydney, Australia

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.