What is the Core Message of the New Testament?

This past semester I was in a Biblical Theology class at Fresno Pacific University’s Biblical Seminary.  We were challenged to write out what we believe to be the central message of the New Testament and to refine it throughout the semester, while keeping it under 100 words.  If you read this blog regularly, you know that keeping to few words is a challenge for me 🙂  Well,  I want to share with you my final draft of this and would love to hear two things:

1) What are your thoughts on my draft?

2) What would your summary look like in 100 words or less?

“God so loved the creation project, that he gave his Son”[1] to embody the “kingdom… on earth as in heaven.”[2] Humanity, lured by fallen powers, rebelled and needed salvation.  Jesus endured a substitutionary death for humankind, and in resurrection defeated the powers; vindicated as the world’s true Lord.  His “new humanity”[3] “groans”[4] by the Spirit with the “frustration”[5] of creation, drawn towards a resurrection future when Christ returns to earth to end all poverty, sickness, violence, and death.[6] The “new creation”[7] community (renewed Israel) exists as a signpost of hope anticipating God’s fullness of justice: “new heavens and new earth.”[8]

*** PS – If you have not registered for my Book Giveaway Contest, do so here before January 11th, 2011!