gospel

The word “gospel” comes from a Greek word (euangelion), meaning “good news”, and it refers to the announcement of God’s saving work through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the idea of good news was often linked to God’s victory and reign (Isaiah 52:7), where messengers proclaimed peace and salvation. In the New Testament, the gospel is the fulfilment of this promise of victory, freedom and salvation, centred on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16), offering redemption, reconciliation, and the arrival of God’s kingdom. It is an announcement of an historical even — Christ’s atoning death which deals with and his resurrection in which he overcomes death —and an invitation to live under his reign. Each of the four Gospels presents this good news in its own way, but all point to the radical, transformative nature of Jesus’ mission, which calls people not just to believe, but to repent, to follow him and to participate in the new life he offers and his purpose to make all things new. The gospel, then, is more than a set of beliefs. It is the announcement of a new reality—God’s kingdom breaking into the world through Jesus Christ.

hermeneutics

This is the discipline of interpreting Scripture by carefully examining its historical, cultural, literary, and linguistic contexts to uncover the original meaning and apply it faithfully to our world today. Derived from the Greek verb hermēneuein, meaning “to interpret,” hermeneutics serves as a foundational tool for theologians, pastors, and lay readers, guiding them toward a balanced understanding of the biblical text. By providing principles and frameworks for exegesis, hermeneutics bridges the ancient world of the biblical authors with the modern world of readers.

justification by faith

This is a central biblical concept that refers to being declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through human efforts or by following the law. This doctrine emphasises that salvation is a gift from God, granted by his grace, and received by faith alone. However, different Christian traditions interpret this concept in varying ways. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasised that justification is solely a work of God’s grace, not dependent on any works or merit on the part of the believer. In contrast, Catholic theology traditionally views justification as a process that begins with faith but includes baptism, good works, and participation in the sacraments. N.T. Wright, a contemporary biblical scholar, expands the idea by focusing on its covenantal context, suggesting that justification is about being declared part of God’s covenant people, encompassing both personal salvation and the relational aspect between Jews and Gentiles. Across all views, however, justification remains foundational to understanding God’s grace and the transforming power of faith in Christ.

kingdom

The Kingdom of God is God’s rule and authority over everything, both now and in the future. God has always reigned over all things through all eternity, but the Kingdom especially and uniquely breaks into the world through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, showing God’s power and love. The Kingdom is where God’s perfect will is done, bringing justice, peace, and his good and loving government of our lives. Although the Kingdom is already here in part, it’s not fully complete yet. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live according to the values of the Kingdom, which are very different to those of this world. As we do this, it helps to bring its goodness into the world until the day when God’s rule is fully realised on the return of Jesus, when he will make all things new and and lives among people in his perfect, dream world where there will be no misery, suffering or death.

Please also refer to this article on the Bible Tour Support Material.

There is a much more detailed article from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology here.

law

The Law in the Bible refers to the commands and instructions given by God, particularly through Moses, to guide the lives of his people, the Israelites, but also indicate something about his moral principles for all of humanity. It included moral, ceremonial, and civil laws found mainly in the first five books of the Old Testament. The purpose of the Law was to show God’s people how to live in a way that pleased him, revealing what is right and wrong. However, because no one could keep the Law perfectly, it also highlighted humanity’s need for God’s grace and forgiveness, and for an inner transformation of the heart. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfils the Law by living a perfect life and offering himself as the ultimate sacrifice, showing that the Law points to him and the need for a transformed heart.

You could also refer to this post on Biblical Themes for the Bible Tour Support Material.

There is a much more detailed article from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology here.