The N.T. Wright Page has uploaded a new article on "Gospel and Theology in Galatians." I haven't yet finished it, but so far, it is a pretty good read. Wright begins by examining the contexts behind "gospel" in its 1st century, and he explores how Paul ties together Jewish and pagan notions of the term. As he reminds us, church tradition has shaped our interpretation of "gospel" terminology and often blinds us to the complexities of the actual language. But, quoting C.S. Lewis, he cautions: "we turn to the helps only when the hard passages are manifestly hard. But there are treacherous passages which will not send us to the notes. They look easy and aren’t."

Such is the case, Wright argues, with many New Testament uses of "gospel."