The Naked Gospel: Jesus Plus Nothing. 100% Natural. No Additives. [Paperback]

Andrew Farley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2009

I found myself lying on the floor of my apartment, sobbing for hours on end: 'God, I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do, and I still don't feel closer to you. In fact, I feel worse than ever! How could this have gone wrong? I can't see any way out. Help me.' As a university student, Andrew Farley found himself physically and emotionally addicted to street evangelism and Bible study. Yet despite his fervid behavior, he knew something was missing. That something was an understanding of the gospel that is stripped of the compromises and cliches of the modern church. The Naked Gospel finds friends among those who are burned out on experience-chasing, ceremonialism, or legalism. It attacks churchy jargon and powerless ideas and puts forth a message that is simple but life-changing. With a fresh take on Scripture and unapologetic style, The Naked Gospel will challenge you and stir you to re-examine everything you thought you already knew.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"How do you know a sailboat is maxed out in the wind? You listen for the hum. This book shows you how to open the sails of your life to the winds of truth, and to max out in God's Spirit. Read this book and hear the hum." --Leonard Sweet, best-selling author of Jesus Manifesto and So Beautiful

"If you're tired of wearing the 'I'm a super Christian' mask and are weary and discouraged on the inside, read this book and experience the freedom Jesus brings." --Mary DeMuth, best-selling author of Daisy Chain and Thin Places

"What a great 'textbook' on how to strip away all the religious fakery and take the challenge to just be a normal person while being a healthy Christian." --Steve Arterburn, best-selling author of Every Man's Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Temptation One Victory at a Time

"Our culture screams at us, 'productivity!' and often, this mantra gets absorbed and spread by the church. Grace is a word we use often, but rarely understand the depth and true meaning of. In The Naked Gospel, Andrew Farley strips down religion and shows us the faith and freedom God intends for us to have in a fully abundant, radiant life." --Anne Jackson, best-selling author of Mad Church Disease and Permission to Speak Freely

"The Naked Gospel is an intelligently written book that is thoroughly intriguing. Your church or small group could benefit greatly by its wisdom and concepts. This is a must read!" --Dave Stone, Senior Minister, Southeast Christian Church (12th largest church in America)

"The message that Andrew Farley brings in The Naked Gospel is so necessary for the church today. It is absolutely essential for a fulfilling and genuinely Christ-centered life." --Dr. John Best, Th.D., Former Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis, Dallas Theological Seminary

Review

'How do you know a sailboat is maxed out in the wind? The author's wife, a sailboat captain, can tell you. It hydroplanes. How do you know it's hydroplaning? You listen for the hum. This book shows you how to open the sails of your life to the winds of truth and max out in God's Spirit. Read this book and hear the hum.' -- Leonard Sweet, bestselling author of So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310293065
• ISBN-13: 978-0310293064
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (161 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Ritual

More About the Author

Andrew Farley is the bestselling author of "The Naked Gospel" and lead teaching pastor of Ecclesia, a growing church on the high plains of west Texas. Andrew co-hosts "Real Life in Christ", a thought-provoking TV program that airs every Wednesday morning on ABC-TV in west Texas and New Mexico. Andrew lives in Texas with his wife Katharine and their son, Gavin. To watch or listen to some of Andrew's teaching, visit www.ChurchWithoutReligion.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: The Naked Gospel, September 11, 2009

By 

Keiki Hendrix "Vessel Project Book Reviewer" (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Naked Gospel: Jesus Plus Nothing. 100% Natural. No Additives. (Paperback)

Jesus Plus Nothing."

Christian, are you a legalist? Are you bound by your to do list for God? Does the word obligation weigh heavy in your mind when you consider your Lord?

These are all questions I would consider asking someone before I would recommend they read "The Naked Gospel: The Truth You May Never Hear in Church" by Andrew Farley, Lead Teaching Pastor of Ecclesia - Church Without Religion, located in Lubbock, Texas.

Effective marketing caught my attention with the clear plastic dust jacket and table of contents on the front cover. Further you find the dedication to his son with enthusiastic encouragement and also a brief quote referencing Arthur Bury's book called `The Naked Gospel`. And finally the discussion guide for each chapter named `Nude Reflections'.

All quite interesting and imaginative but the content is what stirred quite a few conversations with my husband and friends on the issues raised in this work. It is a fresh, clear look at the issue of Salvation by Grace, not works as well as living by Grace, not Law.

The reader is asked a series of questions to begin the dialogue of the book. I was quickly taken aback as I immediately disagreed with some of the statements made. Not wanting to give away the content, suffice it to say, these are standard and pointed questions. My advice would be to read them closely before you answer.

Andrew Farley's direct and honest writing style adds to the sections of personal testimony and illustrations. His does not mince words. He addresses objections and then brings the reader back to the main them of `Jesus Plus Nothing'.

Upon reflection, there were sections that at first I did not agree, but after consideration, the doctrine was sound. It is New Covenant living that Andrew Farley offers in this book. It does not diminish Old Covenant standards but amplifies the simplicity of the New Covenant.

This is a book for the genuine believer who has walked the road of obligation and perhaps needs to breathe the fresh air of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As a believer, there is nothing you can do to make God love you more; and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less. God just loves you. There is only one response to this kind of Love - walking in it.

I recommend this book, for discussion and examination. For a limited time, you can download an electronic copy of this book. Instructions for download of this resource are located on our Free Download page or from Andrew Farley's website TheNakedGospel.

Keiki Hendrix
Vessel Project Book Reviewer
Zondervan Book Reviewer
[...]

46 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Blessing of Freedom In Christ, August 29, 2009

By 

William Dahl "On Porpoise" (Redmond, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naked Gospel: Jesus Plus Nothing. 100% Natural. No Additives. (Paperback)

A fresh, tender, superbly informed voice - a timely work - A well crafted message woven with the story-telling skills of a master knitter of the gospel, our lives, our Lord and what it really means to be free in Christ.

I needed to read this book. I know I have loads of company. Whether you may be exploring what it may mean to have a present-day relationship with Christ, a desire to know Jesus more intimately, suffocating in religion or smugly comfortable in your relationship with God - READ THIS BOOK!

As author Andrew Farley points out:

"Radically, the Bible teaches that humanity's main problemis not what we're doing. Instead, it's our lack of life as we do it." p.72.

This is a book about freedom - freedom from the shackles of man-made interpretations of what is required to live life as a Christian. Scripturally sound, Farley takes us on a journey - revisiting may of the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith - reminding us of the biblical, present day realities that many of us have unfortunately forgotten or replaced with other interpretations in our daily living as Christians . As Farley states:

"Too often, I see the church today functioning like any other morality-focused social group. It's time for us to wake up and realize that being born of the Spirit means we possess an amazing life within us. Because we're already different on the inside, we can live differently on the outside." p. 186.

Don't misinterpret what the quote above refers to. This is NOT a book about condemning the state of the church. It is written for a broad audience with immediate, enduring practical application to our lives.Furthermore, it is superb tool to share with those considering the Christian faith. A tremendous small group study book.

This book is a rarity. Most precious gifts are. I hope you will be blessed by it as I was. It's a book that I will revisit regularly now.

I felt somehow lighter after I finished this book. Distinctly unburdened. My prayer is that you will receive a similar gift from your reading of it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus Plus Nothing!, July 27, 2009

By 

Kellie A. Kennedy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naked Gospel: Jesus Plus Nothing. 100% Natural. No Additives. (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone who longs to understand, apply, and live in the freedom and identity we have in Jesus Christ. For the long time Christian who has always secretly wondered why the "good news" really isn't all that good, to the unbeliever who has decided Christianity is for hypocrites, to the person who doesn't know what he believes but longs for something real. Dr. Farley, while using his own personal testimony of how not understanding the truth of God's word almost destroyed him, clearly and simply communicates the total forgiveness, the new life, and the complete hope we have in the here and now. We don't have to wait for heaven to be righteous, holy, and complete. Farley, an expert linguist, accurately interprets scripture so that even a child can understand, believe, and apply the truth of God's word to his life. And this truth saved not only Dr. Farley from himself, but it saved me from the destructive patterns of myself as well. The eternal, God breathed truths in this book are the most important thing you can ever know. This book could possibly be the last one you will ever have to buy if you are looking for help on understanding the gospel. And once you begin walking in the grace of Jesus plus nothing, you can begin to experience the forgiveness, the freedom, the new identity, and the source of good fruit in your eternal life right now!