Scott, just a couple of thoughts.
The Gospel is a person. Jesus is the Logos. He is the definitive expression of God, which is Good. He is the fullness of the gospel. All angles, or facets of this truth are expressed in ways like “the gospel of the Kingdom”. Jesus is the Kingdom, or as Jerome said the “Autobasileia”. The gospel of life is Jesus, He is the definitive form of Life. The gospel of truth is Jesus, He is the definitive form of Truth. He is the Good News. All aspects of understanding the Gospel must therefore stem from a deeper understanding of Jesus.
Freedom in essence is not removal of restraint as freedom from obligation from certain laws. Freedom in its essence is freedom to be, to do that which is right, to freely choose the good. In fact it is freedom to bind ourselves to that which we choose. See Splendor of Truth and G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy for much better explanations.

Freedom from laws – or freedom from the consequences of rebellion?
At this point it seems to me that the gospel Paul preaches is in response to the “problem” – also emphasized in Paul – of the consequences of rebellion against God. This freedom is no longer found by joining Israel (circumcision) but by following Jesus. Circumcision and Jewish identity are not bad (Paul has Timothy circumcised after all), but are not necessary to enter into the covenant of God with his people. The people of God are now defined not by Jewish ethnic identity and practice but by following the way of Jesus.
“Not a Gospel” from yesterday’s post is anything that adds to “following Jesus.”
My 2¢ from current thinking.

Hmmm, here’s my $.02: freedom is central because it is an essential component of God’s character. Being made in the image of God, when we are redeemed, this freedom which is part of our make-up is restored as well. I think that the problem with laws, religious practices, etc. is that they point us towards serving God from without rather than within. They encourage a reliance on ourselves and our obedience and our ability to follow properly rather than on a reliance on the Holy Spirit to renew us as image bearers. I’m really stuck on the Holy Spirit these days. Hmmmmm . . .

I recall Jacques Ellul’s insistence that the gospel of Christ is a freedom so radical that most of us don’t really want it — hence, the gospel is scandalous even in the church. With Christ, we are not only freed from the powers of the world (death, sin, etc.), but also freed from the forces of necessity/determinism, etc., as well as free to create the future.
We are free to live our faith in Christ in whatever way seems best to us, free from the rules and regulations of religion and free for God’s service here on earth.