Dr. Howard Hendricks, the beloved professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary, who was known affectionately to his students simply as "Prof," reminds us about "the essence of the gospel" in his book Teaching to Change Lives. Here's what Dr. Hendricks says: "Allow me to remind you that Christianity is based not merely on experience (though it produces an experience), but on historical fact. Paul reminded us of this in 1 Corinthians 15. What is the essence of the gospel? Paul said it is four historical facts:
Christ died.
He was buried.
He rose again.
He appeared to certain people.
How do we know Christ died? Because he was buried. How do we know he rose again? Because he appeared to certain people. So content is critically important from a biblical point of view. We've got to know the truth God has revealed. Never forgets the facts of the word of God."[1]
[1] Howard Hendricks, Teaching to Change Lives (Atlanta: Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, 1987, & co-published by Multnomah Press), pp. 114-115. Note: See under the heading: "NEVER FORGET THE FACTS".
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