The Gospel part 4- Faith, Salvation, and Allegiance: Interview with Dr. Matthew Bates

Dr. Will Ryan and Pastor Matt  interview Dr. Matthew Bates
on Gospel Faith and Allegiance  


Gospel


• We’ve often heard of the Romans Road, 4 spiritual laws, and
justification by faith as the Gospel in the western church. Are
these correct? What is problematic about letting the benefits of
the gospel run the narrative?  


• Many focus just on the cross alone when talking about the
gospel, though this is very important, it is not the whole
gospel. Could you describe the Biblical gospel to us as you
describe in your book Gospel Allegiance and how the cross is just
a part of the whole gospel?  


• In your book you talk about the gospel as a royal announcement
vs. persuasive rhetoric. Most modern Christians make the gospel a
sales pitch, is this a correct way to present the gospel?  


• What would ring in the original audience’s hears when they
heard this king Jesus gospel in the first century (Jesus is Lord,
Caesar is not)? What are the implications today?  


• As we’ve talked about, most people see the gospel as salvation.
 How are the gospel and salvation linked if the gospel is
primarily a royal announcement of Jesus as king?  


Faith/Allegiance   


• The gospel requires a response of faith. You write about the
concept of faith as allegiance in both Gospel Allegiance and
Salvation by Allegiance Alone. Could you explain this concept vs.
the usual western view of simple belief? 


 • In your book you talk about how we get grace wrong in the
west. You mention 6 dimensions of grace (Jon Barclay) could you
talk about how these tie into the first century view of grace and
allegiance.   


• Many conflate faith and works (especially in Paul). Could you
speak to how faith and works are not at odds in context? 


 • You state that you wrote Gospel Allegiance for the
church. What are you hoping the results of this view of the
gospel and faith will have on congregations and discipleship (You
talk a lot about disciple making in chapter 7 of Gospel
Allegiance)?