Ignorance and Misrepresentation of the Biblical Gospel

From time to time in Nepali media, the question is raised: What is the reason for the increase of Christians in Nepal? Recently, Ganga Tharu, a former Member of Parliament, was invited as a guest on a program called Chakrabhyu on the national television station TV Today.

During the conversation, the host asked her, "What kind of conversions are happening in the Tharu community that are causing the number of Christians to increase?" In response, she claimed Christians offered to make pastors, build houses, send people to travel abroad, give them money, and promise healing for the sick.

She also shared her own experience: when she was in the 8th grade, her social studies teacher, who was from the Tharu community, asked her to become a pastor and even promised to build a house for her.

After listening to this conversation, I realized that, although much of what she said was false, some of it was true.

This highlights the ignorance and false preaching of the Biblical Gospel. Many Nepali churches have mixed the gospel with man-made teachings. The true essence of the gospel has been obscured, and what is now being served is a diluted message—like the prosperity gospel, moral gospel, or health gospel. Because of this, people are following religion in the church.

False conversions are happening as people are given assurances of healing from disease, deliverance from spirits, prosperity, and solutions to their material needs. As a result, they are unable to see the beauty of the true gospel.

To clarify, I am not saying that God does not heal or deliver. However, because the true gospel is not being preached, people are unable to grasp the depth of their sin and its terrible consequences. Nor can they comprehend God’s abundant grace and provision.

Consequently, they do not experience the Godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10-11), nor do they understand God’s grace in their lives. The grace by which we are saved from sin (Romans 3:23-24)

First, we need to understand the bad news before we can fully appreciate the gospel. God is holy, righteous, and the creator of all. He made man in His image, but the rebellion of the first man introduced sin and led to the complete depravity of mankind. Because of this, mankind is now under the wrath of God. This is the bad news.

But the good news is that God, rich in mercy, showed compassion to humanity. Jesus Christ, the origin of the gospel, is its embodiment. To save His people, He set aside heavenly glory, took on human nature, and was born of the Virgin Mary (Philippians 2:6-8, Matthew 1:18-23).

He preached the gospel in this way: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

For our salvation, perfect obedience, and sacrifice were required according to the demands of the law. Jesus fulfilled this by becoming obedient unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). He paid the price for our sins by shedding His precious blood (Hebrews 9:22, 28). He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Paul David Tripp speaks of the consequences of an incomplete gospel. When the church proclaims an incomplete gospel, it becomes filled with carnal people who have no interest in the things of God, and caring for such people becomes a burden for the church.

Conclusion: The greatest need for mankind today is not material wealth or comfort but the true gospel, which reconciles us with a holy God through the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, instead of spreading diluted or false versions, we must proclaim the true gospel to the people.

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