Too few people attending church today, even in evangelical churches, are exposed to the gospel explicitly. Sure, many will hear about Jesus, and about being good and not being bad, but the gospel message simply isn't there - at least not with precision and fullness.
Moved by the common neglect of the explicit gospel within Christianity, Matt Chandler begins with the specifics of the gospel - outlining what it is and what it is not. He then switches gear to focus on the fullness of the gospel and its massive implications at both personal and cosmic levels.
Recognizing our tendency to fixate on either the micro or macro aspects of ...the gospel, Chandler also warns us of the dangers on either side - of becoming overly individualistic or syncretistic. Here is a call to true Christianity, to know the gospel explicitly, and to unite the church on the amazing grounds of the good news of Jesus!
(Review written for 'The Explicit Gospel')
This was a book that I found very hard to put down. At times it was not an easy read, there are no frills or apologies, no dressing-up or watering-down of the truths of the gospel. At the same time it is an immensely inspiring book ( written not without humour) constantly drawing us back to focus on the glory of God. The author states that there are "two frames of reference" for the same gospel. One aspect centres on the work of the cross in the lives of individual believers. The other aspect focuses on God's amazing plan of ...redemption for the restoration of the whole of creation.
It is a book I would certainly like to read again and I would heartily recommend it to anyone wishing to re-focus on the explicit gospel.
