What Is the Gospel?
(18 Reviews)Not currently available
Information
- Format: Kindle Edition
- Publisher: Good News Publishers/Crossway Books
- Pages: 128
- Published: March 23rd, 2010
- Release Date: 2010-03-23
Editorial Review
This newest addition to the IXMarks series presents a clear, straightforward statement of the gospel, the third mark of a healthy church. What is the gospel? It seems like a simple question, yet it has been known to incite some heated responses, even in the church. How are we to formulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel? Tradition, reason, and experience all leave us ultimately disappointed. If we want answers, we must turn to the Word of God. Greg Gilbert does so in What Is the Gospel? Beginning with Paul's systematic presentation of the gospel in Romans and moving through the sermons in Acts, Gilbert argues that the central structure of the gospel consists of four main subjects: God, man, Christ, and a response. The book carefully examines each and then explores the effects the gospel can have in individuals, churches, and the world. Both Christian and non-Christian readers will gain a clearer understanding of the gospel in this valuable resource.
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Reviews
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Too important to get it wrong, and to not hear it again
Jeremy Oddy
Sadly, Christians who call themselves "Evangelical" can get the gospel wrong. Some Non-Christians are hearing different gospels or no gospel at all. We need to get this right. And we need to hear it afresh. Gilbert writes, "Contexts change, angles change, words change, and approaches change, but somehow and in some way the earliest Christians always seem to get at these four issues: We are accountable to the God who created us. We have sinned against that God and will be judged. But God has acted in Jesus Christ to save us, and we take hold of that salvation by repentance from sin and faith in Jesus" (p. 32).
Captivating Reminder
John, CHARLOTTE, New Caledonia
I am grateful for Mr. Gilbert's labors in cutting to the core of such truly great news. It was a helpful reminder for someone in a land far away...
very helpful resource
Garth Van Meter, Washington, DC United States
This book is a tremendously practical resource, not only for understanding what the gospel is, but what it isn't. Gilbert skillfully negotiates today's common distortions and misunderstandings of the gospel in clean, articulate prose. His metaphors and anecdotes are excellent, particularly the one using his son learning to swim as an example of trust. Clean, clear and brief: highly worth the read.
Best Read in Decades
Benjamin Potter, Mulberry Grove, IL USA
Periodically I check out Tim Challies Friday giveaway. If I think I might enjoy what's offered, I put my name in the hat. A few weeks ago, I thought I might be interested in the titles being offered--I didn't pay much attention to the author names. Imagine my surprise when my name was chosen and on top of the stack of books was this little volume by a name I knew from "way-back-when". While Greg was already preparing to graduate from a small east Texas high school where I started a short teaching career, I did get to know him (and I did get to teach his brother). Greg has since moved on to higher education and deeper thinking than what we offered at the high school, and everyone can be glad that he did.
The personal connection prompted me to set aside other reading and dive head first into this little book, and it was a superb decision. Gilbert addresses the title question in a most succinct, clear manner. He does it with the clarity of a seasoned theologian. In a day when people--including evangelical Christians--have muddied the waters and frayed the edges of the biblical understanding of the gospel, this easy read brings us back into focus. The author challenges readers to re-focus our understanding of God, Man, Christ, and our Response to Christ. Two points that have been blurred over years of semi-theologians' treatment are a proper view of sin, and a misplaced focus (leaving the cross of Christ as an afterthought in the backroom of theology). Gilbert takes the evangelical church to task on just these issues.
This book is an excellent resource--for one who has yet to respond to the gospel, it is a clear presentation of God's plan and good news; for the Christian, it is a wakeup call to what the gospel really is, as well as a challenge to return, to refocus, and to make the gospel (the good news) the core of our being and our living. With the exception of the gospel itself, this may be the most important book to read in the twenty-first century. Read this book and then give a copy to a friend. (Since I've limited myself to a 5-reading glasses rating system, I give What Is the Gospel? a five +++ reading glasses rating.)
--Benjamin Potter, October 22, 2007
It's good news
Reviewer, PA
"Christians can always get the world to think they are cool - right up to the moment they start talking about being saved by a crucified man. And that's where coolness evaporates, no matter how carefully you've cultivated it" (p. 110). This is a small book with a big message. It is frightening how much misunderstanding there is about the most important matter in life, the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Gilbert does an excellent job of explaining what the gospel is and is not. Anybody who wants to know what the "core" of Christianity is should read this book.