Getting the Gospel Right [Paperback]

R. C. Sproul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Now in paper, Getting the Gospel Right calls Christians to greater unity in the gospel. It contains the complete text of The Gospel of Jesus Christ, a statement accepted and signed by Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, cessationist, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican, and free church leaders. Along with the statement, Sproul offers readers a thorough, point-by-point discussion and exposition.

"Some of us want to get the gospel right; some of us just want to get it out. With a generous combination of love and conviction, R. C. Sproul helps us all to do both better." -Michael Horton

"If you want the gospel, in all its ramifications, made perfectly clear to you, you will find no better source of information than this book by one of America's outstanding Christian theologians." -D. James Kennedy

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you want the Gospel, in all its ramifications, made perfectly clear to you, you will find no better source of information than this book by one of America's outstanding Christian theologians. R. C. Sproul brings to the current debate the acuity of logic, the force of conviction, the clarity of articulation, and the appeal of a charitable spirit that will be welcomed by evangelicals everywhere. Read, and Getting the Gospel Right is exactly what you will be doing -- D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., senior minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

R. C. Sproul is a champion of the gospel in this lucid and interesting book. He illumines the gospel and contrasts it with modern misstatements of the apostolic good news in a most helpful way. Nothing could be more important for Christians today -- W. Robert Godfrey, president, Westminster Theological Seminary in California

R. C. Sproul writes with a literary clarity and intellectual precision that reflects a firm grasp of historic, biblical Evangelicalism. What he has given us is an insightful analysis of the most recent document that has emerged from the current Roman Catholic/Evangelical dialogue, as well as a description of the Evangelical affirmation which he helped write. It is a book of importance because the author masterfully put his finger on the crucial issue, as well as issues that flow from it, that should cast an uneasy shadow over effects of rapprochement to historic teachings. The central issue is not grace, but how grace is communicated to us in Christ. This modern-day Luther is as clear as the old one on the essence of the gospel, yet cautious and caring, crafting arguments in fairness, compassion, and forthrightness -- John D. Hannah, chairman and professor of historical theology, Dallas Theological Seminary

Some of us just want to get the gospel right; some of us just want to get it out. With a generous combination of love and conviction, R. C. Sproul helps us all to do both better -- Michael S. Horton, Westminster Theological Seminary in California

This book presents a clear explanation and defense of the most important biblical doctrine: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr. Sproul is at his best as he contrasts the evangelical understanding of the Gospel with the nuances of Roman Catholicism, pointing out that despite apparent similarities, the gap between the two points of view is infinite and unbridgeable. This is the most compelling biblical treatment of biblical unity I have ever read. He shows that even the differences we might have with other evangelicals on the gospel is not verbal quibbling but sometimes the heart of the gospel is at stake. Drawing on his rich background in church history, theology, and a skilled use of Scripture, Dr. Sproul helps us to understand where the lines must be drawn and why our defense of the gospel is so urgent. Against the background of recent divisions within the evangelical community, this book seeks clarification, perspective, and a unity based on truth. Every person who loves the gospel will rejoice that Dr. Sproul has given us such a thorough treatment of the only message that can save our souls -- Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor, Moody Church

We do not live in a day of great theological precision, which is why this precise handling of the core doctrine of justification by faith alone by R. C. Sproul is so necessary, valuable, and timely. Sproul wants to get the gospel right, and so should we all. Because if we fail, we will not only lose the gospel, we will lose authentic Christianity. This book is must reading for all who care about gospel truth in an age of theological compromise and confusion -- James M. Boice, senior minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"If you want the gospel, with all its ramifications, made perfectly clear to you, you will find no better source of information than this book by one of America's outstanding Christian theologians."
D. James Kennedy, senior minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

"Some of us just want to get the gospel right; some of us just want to get it out. With a generous combination of love and conviction, R. C. Sproul helps us all to do both better."
Michael Horton, author; associate professor, Westminster Theological Seminary in California

Christian unity is important. And unity in the gospel is essential. Yet that unity was tested by the release of two documents, Evangelicals and Catholics Together and The Gift of Salvation, which appeared to surrender the historic doctrine of sola fide (faith alone). Then a new level of unity was achieved with the release of a statement called The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration.

This sequel to Sproul's popular Faith Alone contains the complete text of The Gospel of Jesus Christ along with thorough, point-by-point discussion and exposition. The significance of this affirmation is summed up by Christianity Today: "A number of people have been stunned by the broad acceptance of this statement." It has been signed by "Methodist and Presbyterian, Pentecostal and cessationist, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican, and free church" leaders.

As Sproul explains, unity in the gospel touches the soul of the church itself and all of its members. "To be faithful to the Great Commission," writes Sproul, "we must get the gospel right."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801064473
• ISBN-13: 978-0801064470
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. R.C. Sproul is the founder, chairman and president of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education ministry located near Orlando, Florida. His teaching can be heard on the program Renewing Your Mind, which is broadcast on hundreds of radio outlets in the United States and in 40 countries worldwide. He is the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine and general editor of The Reformation Study Bible, and the author of more than seventy books and scores of articles for national evangelical publications. Dr. Sproul also serves as president of Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies and Reformation Bible College. He currently serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's in Sanford, FL.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More a comparison than an argument, March 25, 2002

By 

Brian Douglas (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting the Gospel Right: The Tie That Binds Evangelicals Together (Hardcover)

Contrary to what many of this book's reviewers seem to believe, this book is not intended to be a comprehensive argument for the Protestant soteriologial position. Rather, this is Sproul's rejection of the soteriological portions of recent documents signed by prominent representatives of the Roman and Protestant churches in an attempt to bring unity between the two. He argues that despite claims on both sides that an accord on the subjects of justification, sanctification, faith, grace, etc. has been reached, no true unity has been attained - the two sides are still in disagreement over the nature of Christ's saving work.

Further, Sproul argues that this attempt at harmony is damaging to the knowledge and spreading of the true Gospel as communicated in the Bible. He chastises Protestants for not knowing how to precisely and accurately put the Gospel into words and calls them to correct that problem before more damage is done.

Don't let the other reviews fool you - this book is an excellent exposition of the Biblical position of the nature of mankind's salvation through the work of Christ. The series of Affirmations and Denials that constitute a majority of this book are one of the clearest defenses of this position you can find. But for those who are still not convinced or for those who seek to read even further regarding the Biblical and historical errors of the modern Roman position, see Robert L. Reymond's "The Reformation's Conflict with Rome: Why it Must Continue," ISBN 1857926269.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gospel truth is more important than "political correctness"., July 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting the Gospel Right: The Tie That Binds Evangelicals Together (Hardcover)

This is a book that every evangelical who thinks Roman Catholics might actually be real Christians seriously needs to read! It is a sequel to Sproul's earlier book FAITH ALONE. While FAITH ALONE dealt with the controversial document EVANGELICALS AND CATHOLICS TOGETHER (ECT), this book analyzes, point by point, the more recent (Oct. 97) and similar document called THE GIFT OF SALVATION.

Sproul does an excellent job of showing how two groups can agree on the wording of a statement yet at the same time have almost opposite views of what is actually meant. Although many "politically correct" people today wish to believe that Roman Catholics and evangelicals are both real Christians and saved, while only differing on minor points, the fact of the matter as Sproul shows, is that they are two divergent religions with two different gospels. Despite the good intentions of those who call Roman Catholics their brothers and sisters in Christ, they are actually doing them far, far more harm than good--just like a doctor who tells his patient he is fine when in fact he has terminal cancer.

In the last section of the book, Sproul analyzes the document, THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST: AN EVANGELICAL CELEBRATION which he, helped draft. It uses more precise language both to affirm and deny what the real gospel is, including statements on sola fide (faith alone) and imputed righteousness. This document has been endorsed by over 100 evangelical leaders, including Charles Stanley, Charles Swindoll, John MacArthur, Jerry Falwell, James Kennedy and others including Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican and Pentecostal leaders.

My primary criticism of this book is that it tends to read more like a report rather than an expostion of the gospel; nevertheless it's content is substantive. Sproul's other book FAITH ALONE goes into the history of sola fide (faith alone) and is more interesting to read in my opinion, but both are worth reading.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Is The Cost of Unity?, August 20, 2004

By 

Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting the Gospel Right: The Tie That Binds Evangelicals Together (Hardcover)

"Getting The Gospel Right" is R.C. Sproul's sequel to the popular book "Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification" and is a thorough treatment of the subject of Christian unity. It is essentially a response to a document that tested the boundaries of unity between Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants: "The Gift of Salvation" (also known as ECT II) which was released subsequently to the original "Evangelicals and Catholics Together." These documents were both written and signed by leading members of Evangelical and Catholic churches as a means to promote unity between the churches. They chose to find common ground and unite on that basis rather than focus on the differences that separated them. Sproul and several other prominent Reformed Christians stood against this document, insisting that it did not form an adequate basis for unity with the Roman Catholic Church.

The book is divided into three sections. The first is entitled Controversy Concerning The Gospel and provides background to the importance of Christian unity in traditional Evangelicalism. The section functions almost as an introductory course to Christian doctrine regarding unity. Among other topics it discusses the distinction between the visible and invisible church, the marks of a true church and Christ's desire for unity.

In the second section Sproul provides the complete text to "The Gift of Salvation" and then provides a thorough examination of each paragraph. His amazing depth of knowledge allows him to delve deeply into the document and point out many problems with it. He shows where the language is ambiguous and goes into lengthy explanation about the differences between the Catholic and Protestant views on soteriology. His conclusion is that the two systems of theology are so far removed that they cannot be brought into harmony. "The Gift of Salvation" does nothing to remove the doctrinal chasm created by the simple word "alone." Until Rome concedes on the "solas" of the Reformation, there can be no unity. Further, unity on such terms as outlined in this document is damaging to the Evangelical churches as it undermines critical theology. There can be no unity without unity in the gospel, which means there certainly cannot be unity at the expense of the gospel. The unity expressed by the signatories of "The Gift of Salvation" is empty since it denies the importance of obvious and insurmountable differences in doctrine.

The final section is an examination of a document drafted by Sproul and other leading theologians entitled "The Gospel of Jesus Christ." They feel this document should provide the basis for unity among Evangelicals. "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" carefully and consistently lays out the foundations of Protestant theology, leaving absolutely no room for ambiguity. As with the previous document, Sproul examines it paragraph by paragraph, explaining the meaning and importance of each of the affirmations and denials. Sproul says that "[the affirmations and denials they list] are the foundation that expresses the mission of the church. For the church to be faithful to the Great Commission, we must get the gospel right. When we do, we will both energize the church's activity and encourage deep and abiding unity among Evangelicals."

This book is as good a treatment of the subject of unity as I have read. While deeply theological, it is also very readable. Sproul has a gift for presenting deep truths in a way that is easy to understand. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning what the Bible says about unity, and further to people interested in an overview of the doctrinal differences between Protestants and Catholics.