Men and women are naturally inquisitive beings, constantly seeking education, doing research, gaining knowledge, in pursuit of understanding 
whatever may perplex us. If left to ourselves to develop answers, though, for understanding meaningful purpose in existence, reasons for a world swirling in turmoil, a source for permanently reliable truth, we find that a purely secular or humanist framework does not produce solid answers, but instead descends to devaluing the questions – many an agnostic has suggested that questions of purpose and truth simply shouldn’t be asked! That’s not a good answer, intellectually or spiritually, and merely leaves us floundering in hopelessness. But there is good news – God has intervened and given us answers. Have you ever thought that there is any possibility that the Christian message is both truly relevant, and truly good news?
The fact is, most people do not take the time to stop and consider how the claims of Jesus of Nazareth really are good news for them. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that ‘man is as lazy as he dares to be’, and it is certainly easier for an unbeliever to ignore anything that hints at religion than to invest a bit of time and effort into evaluating this unique Person. There is an important distinction there, by the way. GoodNewsHalifax is not really about religion – it is about a Man … a Man who lived a life of love, whose teachings and standards are unmatched, who always practiced what He preached… and who then allowed men to hang Him on a cross so that He could die for you. His message is good news that you cannot simply choose to ignore.
We readily admit that the question of whether Jesus has any meaningful good news for you hinges upon this basic tenet of Christianity – that Jesus of Nazareth is not just a Man, but that He is God. ‘If Jesus was not God in human flesh, Christianity is exploded. We are left with just another religion with some beautiful ideas and noble ethics; its unique distinction has gone. But there is evidence for the deity of Jesus – good, strong, historical, cumulative evidence; evidence to which an honest person can subscribe without committing intellectual suicide.’1 Have you ever stopped to think about it?
But accepting the good news of Christ ('gospel' literally means 
good news) is more than just an intellectual adherence to the fact of Jesus being God's Son. It is understanding why He came (to save us from our sins and selfishness), and yet also more than that. It is trusting Him as Saviour and following Him as Lord. Countless numbers have done this and found true Christianity to be not just good news, but the greatest news. You owe it to yourself to consider whether or not His claims are true.
You will find that the gospel is a message of freedom, not restrictive bondage; a message of truth, not superstitious myth; a message of promise, not empty hopelessness. In short, it is good news. Acceptance of it will require an openness and humility of mind, because God isn’t someone who is dictated to by know-it-all men and women. Nor is He someone that is overly impressed with our futile attempts to win His favour. That is why the good news ‘is not primarily an invitation to man to do anything; it is supremely a declaration of what God has done in Christ for human beings like ourselves’.2 God has sp
oken, in the world around us, but specifically in His Word and by His Son. God has acted, by sending His Son, Jesus, as our Saviour. Now it is up to you to seek Him.
GoodNewsHalifax is interested in getting people to think about how the claims of Jesus Christ are good news. On campus, we have discussion groups, presentations, Bible studies, and tables set up around the university at different times of the year. Feel free to contact us for more information, or browse other parts of the site. The Life Lessons link is a frequently updated page with articles that are well worth checking back for on a regular basis. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments, or return to the main University page of GoodNewsHalifax.