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What Is the Gospel? (9Marks) [Hardcover]

Greg Gilbert , D. A. Carson
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)

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Book Description

March 9, 2010 9Marks

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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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Greg Gilbert is one of the brightest and most faithful young men called to serve the church today. Here he offers us a penetrating, faithful, and fully biblical understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no greater need than to know the true gospel, to recognize the counterfeits, and to set loose a generation of gospel-centered Christians. This very important book arrives at just the right moment."
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Two realities make this a critically important book: the centrality of the gospel in all generations and the confusion about the gospel in our own generation. What Is the Gospel? provides a biblically faithful explanation of the gospel and equips Christians to discern deviations from that glorious message. How I wish I could place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member."
C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries

"Greg Gilbert contends that the current evangelical understanding of the gospel is lost in a fog of confusion. He burns away that fog by shining fresh light on an old subject. Gilbert writes in a clear, concise, and colloquial style that will especially appeal to young adults. What Is the Gospel? will sharpen your thinking about the gospel, etching it more deeply on your heart so you can share the good news of Jesus Christ with boldness. It will leave you pondering the extent to which the gospel has impacted your own life. It will cause you to cry out with thankfulness to God for what Christ has accomplished."
James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Chicagoland Area; radio teacher, Walk in the Word

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Review

"Greg Gilbert is one of the brightest and most faithful young men called to serve the church today. Here he offers us a penetrating, faithful, and fully biblical understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no greater need than to know the true gospel, to recognize the counterfeits, and to set loose a generation of gospel-centered Christians. This very important book arrives at just the right moment."
R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Two realities make this a critically important book: the centrality of the gospel in all generations and the confusion about the gospel in our own generation. What Is the Gospel? provides a biblically faithful explanation of the gospel and equips Christians to discern deviations from that glorious message. How I wish I could place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member."
C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries

"Greg Gilbert contends that the current evangelical understanding of the gospel is lost in a fog of confusion. He burns away that fog by shining fresh light on an old subject. Gilbert writes in a clear, concise, and colloquial style that will especially appeal to young adults. What Is the Gospel? will sharpen your thinking about the gospel, etching it more deeply on your heart so you can share the good news of Jesus Christ with boldness. It will leave you pondering the extent to which the gospel has impacted your own life. It will cause you to cry out with thankfulness to God for what Christ has accomplished."
James MacDonald, Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel; author, Vertical Church

"A wonderful telling of the old, old story in fresh words—and with sound warnings against subtle misrepresentations. As the old gospel song attests, and as is true of Greg Gilbert’s fine book, those who know the old, old story best will find themselves hungering and thirsting to hear this story like the rest."
Bryan Chapell, President Emeritus, Covenant Theological Seminary

"Greg Gilbert is someone I have had the honor and privilege of teaching and who is now teaching me. This little book on the gospel is one of the clearest and most important books I’ve read in recent years."
Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC; President, 9Marks

"For good reason, Christians love the word gospel. Tragically, however, multitudes of Christians fail to grasp what the gospel fully is. In doctrinally sound and down-to-earth ways, my good friend Greg Gilbert shows just how important it is to understand both the theological nature and the functional necessity of the gospel. We can only hope and pray that this is the first of many books from Greg."
Tullian Tchividjian, Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; author, Jesus + Nothing = Everything

"What is the gospel? This short but powerful book answers that question with a clear and concise presentation. It is a superb treatment of the good news. Read it and then pass it on."
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Greg Gilbert, with a sharp mind and a pastor’s heart, has written a book that will be helpful for seekers, new Christians, and anyone who wants to understand the gospel with greater clarity. I’ve been waiting for a book like this! As a sure-footed guide to a surprisingly controversial subject, it clears up misconceptions about the gospel, the kingdom, and the meaning of the cross."
Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan.

"What Is the Gospel? demonstrates in a sensitive and intriguing way that the gospel is indescribably profound as well as eminently describable—clear enough for anyone to comprehend."
Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

"There is no greater challenge in an age of doubt and pragmatism than making the glorious gospel clear. This is the greatest need for the seasoned Christian and skeptic alike. In this thoughtful but accessible work, Greg Gilbert clearly answers the most important question ever asked."
Darrin Patrick, Pastor, The Journey, St. Louis, Missouri; author, For the City and Church Planter: The Man, the Message, the Mission

"Greg Gilbert cuts through the confusion by searching Scripture to answer the most important question anyone can ask. Even if you think you know the good news of what God has done in Christ, Gilbert will sharpen your focus on this glorious gospel."
Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; coauthor, A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch and Stir

"This book will help you better understand, treasure, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. And if you think you know enough about the gospel already, you might need it more than you think."
Joshua Harris, Senior Pastor, Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland; author, Dug Down Deep

"Amidst a contemporary Christian culture characterized by rampant confusion regarding the central tenets of our faith, Greg Gilbert has given us a portrait of the gospel that is clear for those who have believed and compelling for those who have yet to believe. Word-saturated, cross-centered, and God-exalting, What Is the Gospel? will capture your mind’s attention and ignite your heart’s affection for the God who saves us by his grace through his gospel for his glory."
David Platt, Senior Pastor, The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama; author, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

"Greg Gilbert has called the church back to the source of her revelation. In a simple and straightforward manner, he has laid bare what the Bible has shown the gospel to mean."
Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion

"Clarity on the gospel brings both confidence in the gospel and conviction concerning core gospel truths. This excellent book is wonderfully clear and biblically faithful, and will repay reading with renewed gospel focus."
William Taylor, Rector, St. Helen Bishopsgate, London

"When I think of the centerpiece of my Bible, my heart immediately embraces the gospel. I know many people who love the gospel, but I’m always open to loving it more and understanding it better. Greg Gilbert has written this book to help us to know and love the gospel more."
Johnny Hunt, President, The Southern Baptist Convention

"What makes this book profound is its simplicity. Perhaps the greatest danger in Christianity is making assumptions about what the gospel is without hearing the Bible’s clear and definitive voice. It is not an overstatement to say this may be the most important book you’ll read about the Christian faith."
Rick Holland, Senior Pastor, Mission Road Bible Church, Prairie Village, Kansas

"'Gospel-centeredness' has become the new, vogue term for pastors and churches. Greg Gilbert does a masterful job in this book explaining what that gospel actually is. He shows us that many well-meaning churches have distorted the gospel through false teaching, and others have abandoned the gospel because of embarrassment or simply neglect. This is a profound analysis of the gospel, expressed in a poignant, relevant way. I am very grateful for Greg’s prophetic call to return to the straightforward message of the cross."
J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina; author, Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Crossway (March 9, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1433515008
  • ISBN-13: 978-1433515002
  • Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.2 x 7.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 79 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Basics March 27, 2010
Format:Hardcover
How is it possible that the very heart of the Christian faith is so misunderstood? Even by professing Christians?

Greg Gilbert's book "What is the Gospel?" does an excellent job in explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ. Gilbert helpfully lays out four facets to clarify this foundational truth. First, we are created beings who owe God honor and obedience.

Second, we have rebelled against God. Others have phrased this "Cosmic Treason." The consequence of our rebellion or sin is eternal death (damnation). That's the bad news. Very bad news.

But Gilbert's third point is the Good News: God sent his only son, Jesus Christ - who is fully God and fully man, to do what no one else could do: live a perfect life and so deserve life. But then Christ chose to die. To take the wrath of God on behalf of sinners.

Finally, Gilbert says that this Good News is good news to us - not someone else. We take part in Christ's work by God reckoning Christ's perfect life as ours. How? Through our faith (also a gift of God), believing in the finished work of Christ's death on the cross and trusting only in Christ's work - not our so called good works.

The Gospel is God's work to save us from our sins and also the power for us to live a life honoring to the God of all creation. Good News, indeed.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Gospel April 17, 2010
Format:Hardcover
"What is the gospel?" The 9Marks blog asked the question and found that Christians who took the time to leave a response had very different answers. A quick survey of a dozen "What We Believe" pages on church websites will yield a dozen different explanations of the gospel. According to Greg Gilbert, an associate pastor for Capitol Hill Baptist Church, many of those explanations are not biblical. In his book, What Is the Gospel?, Gilbert turns to the Bible, specifically the sermons and writings of the apostles, as the ultimate authority for understanding the gospel. He writes, "We approach the task of defining the main contours of the Christian gospel by looking at what the earliest Christians said about Jesus and the significance of his life, death, and resurrection." Many in this generation are confused about the Gospel, for our traditions, reasoning abilities, and personal experiences have lead us astray. Gilbert encourages us to do our duty to preserve the gospel in our generation.

He first visits Romans 1-4. In Romans, Gilbert explains the purpose of Paul's writing and the main points he makes regarding the gospel in those opening chapters. Gilbert found that Paul asks and answers four key questions:

1)Who made us, and to whom are we accountable?
2) What is our problem? In other words, are we in trouble and why?
3) What is God's solution to that problem? How has he acted to save us from it?
4) How do I - myself, right here, right now - how do I come to be included in that salvation? What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?

These four questions provide the frame for the rest of this book. Gilbert devotes one chapter to answering each question. In doing so, he explains the natures of God, man, and Jesus; he provides a detailed account of all that Christ accomplished for us on the cross; he explains why Christ's sacrifice is sufficient and satisfactory to a holy God; he teaches what saving faith is and is not; and, finally, he discusses why Christianity stands alone among the world's religions.

After answering the four questions, Gilbert continues by addressing what it means to be a part of God's kingdom. He answers the questions, What does Scripture teach about the kingdom of God? He offers a brief explanation of what the Bible teaches regarding the kingdom of God, living in the now and not-yet, and how Christians are to love one another and long for the return of our King.

In What Is the Gospel?, Gilbert hopes for four things: that, as Christians read, they will swell with praise and joy when they consider all that Christ has accomplished for them; that they will become more confident to share the gospel with lost people; that they will serve their churches by making certain the full gospel is preached, sung, prayed, taught, proclaimed, and heard in every aspect of their church's life; that the sharp contours of the gospel will be preserved, rather than sacrificed on the alter of making the gospel more palatable; and that unbelievers may read this book and be challenged to seriously consider the good news of Jesus Christ. Gilbert accomplishes all.

Each generation is faced with the task of preserving the Gospel, and, right now, too much of our generation is confused. This book will assist church leaders and laypeople in evaluating, on a corporate level and an individual level, their faithfulness to the Gospel. I can't improve upon C.J. Mahaney's blurb: "How I wish I could place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member."
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars What is the Gospel? May 4, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Book Review

By Jason Scott

What is the Gospel?
By Greg Gilbert

This short book (121 pages) is a must read for both Christians and non-
Christians. Greg Gilbert masterfully explains the gospel in a balanced and crystal clear manner. Gilbert uses this book to answer four important questions: 1) Who made us, and to whom are we accountable to? 2) What is our problem? 3) What is God's solution to this problem? 4) and how do I became a part of this solution? Pg. 31

Gilbert explains that before we can talk about the good news (the gospel) first we must have an understanding of what the bad news is. Gilbert takes us on a journey through the creation of man, the fall of man, the redemption of man through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and ultimately our restoration with our Creator in His Kingdom.

Gilbert rightly emphasizes that the only way we can have restoration is through faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance for our sin that separates us from God. He also rightly emphasizes that the Cross of Christ must be the center of the Gospel. This is refreshing as there are many out there who are offended by stark cruelty of the cross and attempt to reach God in their own way. The cross is offensive, why should someone have to suffer in such a horrible way for us? Only when we understand how offensive our sin is to God, and realize that man had to suffer for their sin, will we humbly bow before Jesus and thank Him for what He did on the cross.

Gilbert concludes this book by encouraging Christians to share the Gospel with others:
"If you are a Christian, realize that you
hold in your hands the only true message
of salvation the world will ever hear.
There will never be another gospel, and there is
no other way for people to be saved from
their sins. If your friends, family, and
coworkers are ever to be saved from their
sins, it will be because someone
speaks the gospel of Jesus Christ
to them." Pg. 120

And finally Gilbert admonishes believers to long for Christ's return "not so much for the kingdom as for the King." Pg 121
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book
I haven't finished the book yet but so far it's fantastic! What a great, crisp and clear delivery of explaining what the Gospel is. Looking forward to more from Greg Gilbert!
Published 2 days ago by S. Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on the Gospel for Believers and Seekers Alike
Anyone looking for a clear and concise understanding of the biblical gospel will find it here. The example are very helpful and the pastoral tone makes this book very accessible... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Heath Rickmond
5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct but thorough
Greg does a great job of summarizing several aspects of the gospel in easy to read format. It can be helpful to saint and seeker alike.
Published 1 month ago by Jerry L. Propst
4.0 out of 5 stars Great, Simple, and Clear
"What is the Gospel?" Is a well written and candid unfolding of what the good news of Jesus Christ is and isn't. Read more
Published 1 month ago by @robnjill
5.0 out of 5 stars Daniel
I went through this book with fellow coworkers and was extremely edified! I would encourage new and seasoned Christians to read this book.
Published 1 month ago by Veronica Bagley,Veronica Bagley,Veronica Bagley,Ve
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction
A good introduction to the Gospel and what it means (and even what it doesn't mean). Recommending this to my congregation.
Published 1 month ago by Ethan Sayler
5.0 out of 5 stars What is the gospel?
I cancelled this order as I got to hear this
guy on TV. I agree with him ! If you want to
hear a man who tells it like it is, buy this
book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Emilie D. LaFave
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear explanation if the good news of Jesus (the Gospel)
Clear exposition of the Gospel of Jesus. A great read for both the seeker and the believer. The book is organized and has plenty of references to corresponding verses of the Bible.
Published 2 months ago by Joseph James
5.0 out of 5 stars A clear overview of the gospel
I really like this book as it gives a deeper understanding of the Gospel and yet is not so academic.
Published 2 months ago by Leonard Buhler
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!!!
Every Christian needs to remind themselves of what the gospel is. Just because you have walked with the Lord for 20 years or more, doesn't mean you haven't lost track, to some... Read more
Published 3 months ago by jaminsodi
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