1 Corinthians 15 is where the best definition of the word gospel can be found in the New Testament and, according to Scot McKnight in The King Jesus Gospel, looking anywhere else is a big mistake (46).
McKnight divides 1 Corinthians 15 into three parts: 15:1-2 is the introduction, 15:3-5 is the definition, and 15:20-28 is additional gospel statements” (47-48) and spends the rest of the fourth chapter of The King Jesus Gospel drawing out eight observations about Paul’s gospel from the three sections (48-56).
According to McKnight, the “authentic apostolic gospel” is “the story of the crucial events in the life of Jesus Christ” (49), namely, his death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances (1 Cor. 15:3-5). But he highlights Paul’s point that these events were “according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3, 4) to make the point that the story of Jesus Christ follows and completes the story of ancient Israel (50).
Salvation, McKnight points out, is the “intended result” of the story of Jesus Christ who, Paul notes in 1 Cor. 15:3, died “for our sins.” His death effected forgiveness of sins as well as reconciliation with and justification before God (52).
But the story of Jesus also includes his burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances which speak to the promise of a final general resurrection and final consummation of the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:20-28).
McKnight closes his fourth chapter with a warning that emphasizing the Plan of Salvation (upper case his) apart from the story of Jesus turns it into an account of one’s personal salvation rather than God’s salvation.
So, how did the Plan of Salvation subsume the gospel? That’s the question McKnight takes up in the next chapter.
