No Other Gospel - A Study in Galatians
Hold Fast the Gospel
May 10, 2026
Using Joshua Harris's dating-book controversy as an entry point, the study applies Paul's strong rebuke in Galatians—astonishment at believers turning to a different gospel and the curse on contrary teachers—to argue that teachings must be judged by apostolic gospel faithfulness and authority.
Summary
The study links the debate around Joshua Harris's I Kissed Dating Goodbye to the Apostle Paul's opening of Galatians, where Paul expresses astonishment that believers are abandoning the grace of Christ for a different gospel and pronounces a curse on anyone preaching a contrary message. It highlights distinctive features of Paul's letter opener—his insistence on apostolic authority not derived from men and his emphasis on what Christ accomplished—and invites readers to compare this with other Pauline greetings. The study also recalls Peter's affirmation that faith in Christ frees believers from the present evil age and enables a new way of life. The overall point is that contemporary teachings and controversies should be measured against the apostolic gospel, rejecting any teaching that distorts or replaces it.
Key Points
- Joshua Harris's book I Kissed Dating Goodbye sparked significant discussion in evangelical circles and serves as a contemporary example for evaluating teaching.
- Paul opens Galatians with strong language: astonishment that believers are deserting the grace of Christ for a different gospel (Gal. 1) and a curse on anyone preaching a contrary gospel.
- The opening of Galatians differs from Paul's other letters in ways that matter: he stresses his apostolic authority as not being from men and underscores Christ's work in his ministry.
- Peter similarly teaches that faith in Christ frees believers from the present evil age and enables a transformed life; any message denying that transformation perverts the gospel.
- The study's conclusion: situations like Harris's should be judged by whether they align with the apostolic gospel; teachings that contradict or supplant that gospel must be rejected.
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