--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Marrow Controversy raised a major…" description: "\"“The Marrow Controversy raised a major question about how the gospel is to be preached. But the answer to that question depends on our answer to a more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christianity_the-marrow-controversy-raised-a-major-qu_1146823.jpg" --- # The Marrow Controversy raised a major question about how… ![“The Marrow Controversy raised a major question about how the gospel is to be preached. But the answer to that question depends on our answer to a more fundamental one: What is the gospel? Contemporary discussion simply underlines how central this question is and the extent to which the answer we…” quote by Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christianity_the-marrow-controversy-raised-a-major-qu_1146823.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christianity_the-marrow-controversy-raised-a-major-qu_1146823.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85b/sinclair-b-ferguson-3915_christianity_the-marrow-controversy-raised-a-major-qu_1146823.jpg) > ““The Marrow Controversy raised a major question about how the gospel is to be preached. But the answer to that question depends on our answer to a more fundamental one: What is the gospel? Contemporary discussion simply underlines how central this question is and the extent to which the answer we give determines how we preach and communicate the gospel.”” [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The core issue is defining the gospel, which shapes how it is preached and communicated; without a clear definition, preaching lacks direction. **In simple terms:** Understanding the gospel determines preaching style. Key Takeaway Clarify the gospel before preaching. Themes theology communication preaching Mood thoughtful serious Type theological explanatory When to use this quote - church sermons - Bible study groups - mission trips - media evangelism Key Concepts Gospel definition mission strategy interpretation Questions to Reflect On - What does the gospel mean to you? - How does your definition affect your outreach? A Different Perspective If the gospel is defined too narrowly, it may exclude diverse perspectives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [I believe we face the question: if not now, then when? And if we are grasped by this vision, we may also hear the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-t-wright-2/i-believe-we-face-the-question-if-not-now-then-when-and-if-we-are/) [N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-t-wright-2/) > [“The hope that we have in Christ is so gloriously wonderful, why would we ever keep it to ourselves? When we refuse to communicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britt-merrick/the-hope-that-we-have-in-christ-is-so-gloriously-wonderful-why-would/) [Britt Merrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britt-merrick/) > [“of temple, presence, and sacrifice; of covenant and faithfulness; of kingdom and victory. When we seek to communicate the gospel to a particular culture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/of-temple-presence-and-sacrifice-of-covenant-and-faithfulness-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [Wherever the Gospel is preached, no matter how crudely, there are bound to be results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/wherever-the-gospel-is-preached-no-matter-how-crudely-there-are-bound/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Someone asked, Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether we — who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/someone-asked-will-the-heathen-who-have-never-heard-the-gospel-be/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [It seems to me that doubt is worse than trial. I had sooner suffer any affliction than be left to question the gospel or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/it-seems-to-me-that-doubt-is-worse-than-trial-i-had-sooner-suffer-any/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Answering a student's question, 'Will the heathen who have not heard the Gospel be saved?' thus, 'It is more a question with me whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/answering-a-student-s-question-will-the-heathen-who-have-not-heard/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [While our heart for social justice grows out from the gospel, social justice by itself will not communicate the gospel. We need gospel proclamation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrin-patrick/while-our-heart-for-social-justice-grows-out-from-the-gospel-social/) [Darrin Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrin-patrick/) > [“The problem which confronts us as we approach modern man today is not how we are to change Christian teaching in order to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-august-schaeffer/the-problem-which-confronts-us-as-we-approach-modern-man-today-is-not/) [Francis August Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-august-schaeffer/) > [You don't have to be dishonest to communicate the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/you-don-t-have-to-be-dishonest-to-communicate-the-gospel/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“Third, hear our loss of focus on the gospel in our songs. This is no comment on musical styles and tastes, but simply an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/third-hear-our-loss-of-focus-on-the-gospel-in-our-songs-this-is-no/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [On the contrary, therefore, Christ declares that the doctrine of the Gospel, though it is preached to all without exception, cannot be embraced by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/on-the-contrary-therefore-christ-declares-that-the-doctrine-of-the/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“The gospel is preached in the ears of all men; it only comes with power to some. The power that is in the gospel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-gospel-is-preached-in-the-ears-of-all-men-it-only-comes-with/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“I remember when I had the Gospel first preached to me---before I was baptized; I heard a lecture something like this: 'Now, we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor/i-remember-when-i-had-the-gospel-first-preached-to-me-before-i-was/) [John Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor/) > [The gospel must be preached afresh and told in new ways to each generation, since every generation has its own unique questions. The gospel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-thielicke/the-gospel-must-be-preached-afresh-and-told-in-new-ways-to-each/) [Helmut Thielicke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-thielicke/) ## More by Sinclair B. Ferguson > [Even those of us who have weak faith have the same strong Christ as others!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/even-those-of-us-who-have-weak-faith-have-the-same-strong-christ-as/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [“Third, hear our loss of focus on the gospel in our songs. This is no comment on musical styles and tastes, but simply an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/third-hear-our-loss-of-focus-on-the-gospel-in-our-songs-this-is-no/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [When the New Testament speaks about the fullness of grace which we find in Christ, it does not mean only forgiveness, pardon and justification.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/when-the-new-testament-speaks-about-the-fullness-of-grace-which-we/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Every day we need our gaze redirected from ourselves to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/every-day-we-need-our-gaze-redirected-from-ourselves-to-god/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The jewels of spiritual service are always quarried in the depths of spiritual experience. Never is this more true than in revival. Bend the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-jewels-of-spiritual-service-are-always-quarried-in-the-depths-of/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Contentment is an undervalued grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/contentment-is-an-undervalued-grace/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Where God is at the center of things, worship inevitably follows. Where there is no spirit of worship, there God has been dethroned and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/where-god-is-at-the-center-of-things-worship-inevitably-follows-where/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [“God protects us from Satan even at times when we are not aware of His protection. But how can we develop Jesus-like discernment? By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/god-protects-us-from-satan-even-at-times-when-we-are-not-aware-of-his/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The weakest faith gets the same strong Christ as does the strongest faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-weakest-faith-gets-the-same-strong-christ-as-does-the-strongest/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Do I learn through dark providences, or simply seem relieved when they are over?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/do-i-learn-through-dark-providences-or-simply-seem-relieved-when-they/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [How do we bring glory to God? The Bible’s short answer is: by growing more and more like Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/how-do-we-bring-glory-to-god-the-bible-s-short-answer-is-by-growing/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-conviction-that-christian-doctrine-matters-for-christian-living/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [The only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/the-only-thing-of-my-very-own-which-i-contribute-to-my-redemption-is/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [Christian contentment, therefore, is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord and to be totally at His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/christian-contentment-therefore-is-the-direct-fruit-of-having-no/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) > [You do not become a master musician by playing just as you please, by imagining that learning the scales is sheer legalism and bondage!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-b-ferguson/you-do-not-become-a-master-musician-by-playing-just-as-you-please-by/) [Sinclair B. Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) [Explore all 119 Sinclair B. Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-b-ferguson/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“some of my good Baptist brethren in Georgia had done a little preaching from the pulpit against the KKK, I would have a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/some-of-my-good-baptist-brethren-in-georgia-had-done-a-little/) [Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Because the truth is that gossip is as good as gospel in this town. You can save face but you won't ever save your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/because-the-truth-is-that-gossip-is-as-good-as-gospel-in-this-town/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Marrow Controversy raised a major question about how the gospel is to be preached. But the answer to that question depends on our answer to a more fundamental one: What is the gospel? Contemporary discussion simply underlines how central this question is and the extent to which the answer we give determines how we preach and communicate the gospel.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sinclair B. 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