by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: "Fake News" is nothing new, but has long been used as a weapon against those who proclaim the truth. While sinful men spread slander and engage in malicious misrepresentation, the gospel of Christ is, indeed, good news.
Today, we hear a lot about "fake news," i.e., "false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke" (Cambridge Dictionary).
In earlier times, fake news was called "yellow journalism" or "propaganda." Today such sensationalism serves as internet "clickbait." Sadly, the modern mainstream media has developed a bad habit of reporting unsubstantiated accusations as if they were factual, only later to discover that these sensational stories (that somehow always confirm their progressive presuppositions) were nothing but fabrications. Headlines are often revealed to be hoaxes. Unbiased reporting has largely been replaced by advocacy journalism. Accordingly, "Caveat emptor," i.e., "Buyer beware!" is good advice in the marketplace of ideas. In other words, don't believe everything you read or hear.
Fake news is not a new phenomenon. While bearing a false report and spreading slander was forbidden by the Lord (Exod. 23:1; Lev. 19:16), such sins were all too common (Ps. 35:15-16), and remain pervasive (Rom. 1:28-32).
Not all news is fake; some reports are accurate. As Jesus went about preaching and teaching, casting out demons and healing the sick, news of His ministry spread rapidly (Luke 4:37; 7:17). Departing from the country of the Gerasenes, Jesus instructed the demon-possessed man, out of whom He had cast a legion, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed (Mark 5:18-20).
While Jesus is God's gracious gift to mankind, He was opposed and rejected (Luke 2:34-35). Not all are willing to believe the truth (Isa. 53:1; John 12:37-38). Faith results from a certain kind of hearing—one that is respectful and responsive (Rom. 10:16-17; Gal. 3:2, 5).
Paul endeavored to live honorably so that his ministry would not be discredited, but he was subjected to evil reports, as well as accurate assessments; although Paul's enemies regarded him as a deceiver, he lived according to the truth (2 Cor. 6:3-10).
The apostle was repeatedly attacked with false accusations (Rom. 3:8; 1 Cor. 4:13). When Paul came to Pisidian Antioch on his first missionary journey, he preached the good news, affirming that the promise God made to the fathers was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 13:32-34). While many believed and obeyed, persecution soon arose: "The Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district" (Acts 13:44-51, esp. v. 50). This process was repeated at Iconium (Acts 14:1-7) and Lystra (Acts 14:19-22).
On his second missionary journey, Paul was maligned at Philippi (Acts 16:19-21), Thessalonica (Acts 17:6-8), and Berea (Acts 17:13-14). After a year and a half of productive labor at Corinth, false accusations were leveled against the apostle (Acts 18:12-13).
On his third missionary journey, after preaching the gospel for three years at Ephesus, during which all who lived in Asia heard the word (Acts 19:10), and during which time the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:20), the apostle had to leave because of the disturbance caused by Demetrius the silversmith (Acts 19:23-41).
After returning to Jerusalem, Paul was arrested on trumped-up charges, and imprisoned, first at Jerusalem and afterward at Caesarea. When he was tried before the governor, Tertullus, the prosecuting attorney, began by buttering up Felix and slandering Paul (Acts 24:1-9).
After arriving in Rome, the apostle sought an audience with the local Jewish leaders. While they were unfamiliar with Paul ("We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you"), they had received bad reports about the movement with which he was associated: "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere" (Acts 28:21-22).
Believers today may experience similar mistreatment (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:14-16; 4:14-16). Despite being thus maligned, believers are blessed (Matt. 5:10-12)!
The noun euaggelion, from the same as euaggelizō, refers to "good news" (Thomas 2098). BDAG defines it in three similar ways: "(1) God's good news to humans, good news as proclamation; (2) details relating to the life and ministry of Jesus, good news of Jesus; (3) a book dealing with the life and teaching of Jesus, a gospel account that deals with the life and teaching of Jesus."
The noun euaggelistēs, derived from euaggelizō, refers to "an evangelist, a bringer of good news" (Thomas 2099). BDAG defines it as a "proclaimer of the gospel, evangelist" (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5).
The root verb euaggelizō, a compound of eu (good) and aggelos (a messenger, angel), means "to announce good news" (Thomas 2097). BDAG defines it as "(1) generally, bring good news, announce good news (cf. Luke 2:10; 1 Thess. 3:6; etc.); (2) specifically, proclaim the divine message of salvation, proclaim the gospel, proclaim, preach (Luke 4:43; Acts 8:35; etc.)."
We even learn something from considering the compound root of the aforementioned verb. Consider its prefix eu. BDAG defines the adverb eu as "(1) pertaining to that which is good or beneficial, as applied to interpersonal relationships or experience, well; (2) pertaining to meeting a standard of performance, well done! excellent! as an interjection." This word occurs five times in five verses (Matt. 25:21, 23; Mark 14:7; Acts 15:29; Eph. 6:3).
It is good to be responsible. "Well done, good and faithful slave!" In the parable of the talents, the Master thus commended the servants who were entrusted with five talents and two talents (Matt. 25:21, 23).
It is good to be helpful. Disciples of Christ have repeated opportunities to "do good" to those who are poor (Mark 14:7).
It is good to be obedient to heaven's message. Acknowledging that the Law of Moses was no longer binding, the Jerusalem council urged Gentile converts to abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication, saying, "If you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well" (Acts 15:28-29).
Both the Old and New Testaments instruct children to honor and obey their parents. Paul reminded his readers that this was the first commandment with a promise, "so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth" (Eph. 6:1-3).
The gospel is good. Despite the tendency of many to call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5:20-21), the gospel is, indeed, good news—pointing us toward God, challenging us to be like Him, encouraging us to be faithful (Rom. 1:16-17).
The gospel is relevant. Despite the assertions by many that the Bible is irrelevant, the gospel addresses a real need: providing a solution to man's problem with sin and offering a path to salvation (Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:4-7).
It is also practical, providing the perfect example of Jesus Christ (John 1:18; 14:8-9). Accordingly, we should walk in His steps (Heb. 5:8-10; 1 Pet. 2:21-24).
The gospel is true. Despite claims by unbelievers that the Bible is fictitious and false, the gospel message is true (Ps. 12:6; 19:7-11; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13).
This corrupt world is filled with sarcasm and slander, sadness and sin. Yet, God offers something dramatically better. Do not allow yourself to become calloused or consumed by evil reports. Instead, receive the good news of Jesus Christ. Hear, believe and obey the gospel. Become a better person by applying the gospel message to your life. Share the good news with others! Enjoy the spiritual blessings that are found in Jesus Christ, both here and in eternity.
"Meaning of Fake News in English." n.d. Cambridge Dictionary. Accessed February 17, 2019. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fake-news.
BDAG = Bauer, Walter, Frederick W. Danker, William Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Thomas, Robert L. New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition. Anaheim, CA: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998.
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
