Recovering the Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming the Gospel as Good News [Paperback]

Darrell Bock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2010

While some seek so-called lost gospels, Darrell L. Bock suggests the real lost gospel is the one already found in the Bible and reminds everyone of what it means: good news.

Praise for Recovering the Real Lost Gospel

"Darrell Bock is one of the church's finest New Testament scholars. He has the unique ability to write on both the technical and popular level and presents a biblical theology of the gospel that is clear, robust, and holistic. This is a valuable contribution to helping us rightly understand the greatness of the gospel."

Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"You are holding in your hands a really rare book--one that goes all the way back to the New Testament in connecting the gospel and the cross with the life of discipleship and the mission of the church in a broken world that needs the message of grace. Darrell Bock is one of our best biblical theologians and is at his best in this new study."

Timothy George, dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

"Recovering the Real Lost Gospel is a welcomed corrective and timely guide for so many individuals and churches who seemingly have lost their way amidst the confusing spirituality and mixed religious messages of our day."

David S. Dockery, president, Union University

"Bock teaches us the essence of the best news ever told. The gospel is so much more than good advice . . . it is the message of life, hope, grace, and Jesus himself! Get ready to be reminded why it is the best news ever!"

Pete Briscoe, senior pastor, Bent Tree Bible Fellowship (Dallas, Texas)

"Too many Christians think of 'the Gospel' as merely the last page of an evangelistic tract. Bock demonstrates with clarity and vision that the gospel is better news than some have dared to hope. Read this book, and let its wisdom drive you to worship and to mission."

Russell D. Moore, dean, School of Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Darrell L. Bock is research professor of New Testament Studies and professor of Spiritual Development and Culture at Dallas Theological Seminary, a New York Times best-selling author, and a corresponding editor at large for Christianity Today magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: B&H Academic (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805464654
• ISBN-13: 978-0805464658
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Darrell L. Bock (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The good news of Christianity is not about a "business deal." October 11, 2011

By William T. Barto VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I learned of Darrell Bock's book, "Recovering the Real Lost Gospel" as I read Scot McKnight's more recent book on the same topic, The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited. Both books assert that modern Protestant churches have altered the good news of Christianity by reducing it to a business transaction between God and his creation. Both books make a decent argument that the Gospel is bigger than what theologians call "forensic justification," but Bock does a better job describing what the "larger" good news of Christianity really is. Bock contends that "God has taken the initiative in Jesus Christ to bring us into relationship with Him. At the core of that good news stands a promise to form a new relationship and a new community." As Bock says elsewhere in the book, the gospel is about "God's pursuit of us in relationship as He restores creation to its intended design." The author argues that relationship in the Spirit, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and living in a way that is pleasing to God are part and parcel of the good news of Christianity.

I enjoyed "Recovering the Real Lost Gospel" very much; it is well-written, rationally organized, and quotes rather than cites scripture in support of its arguments. I recommend it highly to all Protestant Christians, especially those who suspect that there might be more to Christianity than the "Four Spiritual Laws." That being said, I wish that Bock had included a discussion of the significance for the Gospel of the sermon(s) by Jesus commonly called the "Sermon on the Mount." Nowhere else in the New Testament does Jesus challenge the "easy-believism" or "cheap grace" of modern Christianity so much, and yet Bock nowhere addresses the radical teachings of Matthew 5-7 or Luke 6 as "good news." Perhaps he will address this issue in the next edition of this fine work!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great reminder that The Gospel is a love story! June 1, 2011

By Ian Acheson

Format:Paperback

This is an excellent reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Only recently it dawned on me that the Gospel is as much for Christians as those who are still searching for God. The Gospel is all about a relationship, an ongoing one, where God, our Creator in loving us so lavishly wants to give us life through an intimate relationship with Him.

This is a short book and one that covers all the theological aspects of the Gospel with tremendous clarity and insight into Scripture. At times I found it a little hard going, as it doesn't use a lot of anecdotes to help illustrate, rather simply provides an interpretation of scripture.

However, the last three chapters really hum and are so full of revelation about God's passion for us.

I love these words that feature near the end of the book:

"We are invited to sit at the table in God's house with His love, power and protection surrounding us. That offer of new life and relationship with God is the gospel. That relationship, rooted in God's love and everlasting in duration, is what Christianity is all about." (p 132)

This book reminded me of God's intense love and how it transforms us and in so doing, we should live a transformed life, caring for what and whom He cares about.

Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A major contribution to the emerging discussion of the gospel December 19, 2012

By John J. Turner

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Darrell Bock advances the biblical case for a much bigger, broader gospel than one aimed only at individual salvation. There are a few points I would push farther than he does (the reign of God, the activity of the Holy Spirit, social change), but he effectively introduces these topics to a diverse audience in ways that are widely acceptable; it is hard to fault him for that. Bock is a careful, competent, thoughtful scholar who has earned his excellent reputation, and this relatively small (but substantial!) book can only enhance the regard in which he is held.

I recommend this book for all who want a fresh, solid take on the basic Christian message.