The Fifth Gospel

The most often quoted or alluded to prophet in the New Testament is Isaiah, a book beloved by the church fathers, who sometimes referred to it as “the fifth gospel.” Throughout history, Isaiah has helped Christians understand the good news of Jesus Christ. In this first session, we discuss what Isaiah “the evangelist” has to teach us about the tragic bad news of the human condition that precedes the gospel.

Isaiah contains a series of prophetic oracles describing the impending judgment of God against many nations. We may balk at these severe depictions of divine justice, but from the perspective of Isaiah, these judgments are themselves good news. The Holy One of Israel is coming to set things to right. In this session, we consider what these ancient oracles have to teach us today, both about the nature of God and about his gospel.

Idolatry is a major problem. The people of God habitually compromise their worship and obedience by giving themselves over to rival gods. Especially during times of national crisis, idolatry manifests in the pursuit of powerful kings and political alliances. Isaiah has much to say about idolatry in the era of Jewish kings, and we have much to learn from his example.

Chapter 40 of Isaiah suddenly shifts in tone from critique to comfort. The people of God, despite their sins and failures, find a message of hope in restoration. In this session, we explore that message to understand its content and its basis in God’s own unwavering determination and enabling speech.

Isaiah’s twin themes of judgment against sin and comfort for sinners sit in unresolved tension with one another for much of the book. How can we reconcile these two messages? In Isaiah 52, we find the answer in a faithful servant who bore the holy judgment of God in our place.

Isaiah prophesies of a utopian future when conflict and violence will end, pain and sorrow will vanish, and humans will have peace and purpose. In many ways, this future hearkens back to humanity’s primordial past in the Garden of Eden, except that Isaiah focuses on life in a city. Directly challenging our mundane dreams, Isaiah bids us to hope for much more and live renewed in the knowledge and glory of God.