Ok, now I see this a bit better. I think I’m not as “progressive” as many readers so that’s one thing. While I don’t see God as “wrathful” or “vengeful”, I do see God as just and I do believe it is just for sinful people to be separated from Him for eternity. So the gospel, for me at least, is good news that my separation from God is bridged. But it’s so so much bigger than that. It’s intimacy. It’s meaning and purpose. It’s walking hand in hand through the Garden with my Father. It’s transformation, maybe little by little or at times in leaps and bounds, but transformation from an ugly, selfish, scared human being into one with beauty and glory who can courageously give to others to bless them. It’s learning to truly love, not just receive love. It’s life that is truly life. That’s the gospel, and it is good.
Ok, now I see this a bit better. I think I’m not as “progressive” as many readers so that’s one thing. While I don’t see God as “wrathful” or “vengeful”, I do see God as just and I do believe it is just for sinful people to be separated from Him for eternity. So the gospel, for me at least, is good news that my separation from God is bridged. But it’s so so much bigger than that. It’s intimacy. It’s meaning and purpose. It’s walking hand in hand through the Garden with my Father. It’s transformation, maybe little by little or at times in leaps and bounds, but transformation from an ugly, selfish, scared human being into one with beauty and glory who can courageously give to others to bless them. It’s learning to truly love, not just receive love. It’s life that is truly life. That’s the gospel, and it is good.
In the Peterson reading wouldn't it be the existential problem? I don't know if the "God loves you" captures that part.