What Is the Gospel?

My husband joked, "If you need a book that thick to explain the gospel, you got problems." After all, the gospel is simple—Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again for our forgiveness. Trust in Him, and you're saved.

Yet, "What Is the Gospel?" by Greg Gilbert tackles this seemingly simple question because, even within the church, the answers can be surprisingly varied... and not without controversy. Many Christians struggle to articulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel. Gilbert argues that at its core, the gospel is structured around four key subjects: God, man, Christ, and our response.

God is righteous and sovereign. Humanity falls short of His glory and needs redemption. Christ provided that show more redemption through His death and resurrection. Our response? Accepting His sacrifice as the atonement for our sins. Simple. But Gilbert’s short, 120-page book is designed to deepen the reader’s understanding and appreciation of this life-changing message. show less

Pastor Author Greg Gilbert asks a pertinent question in his newly titled book What Is The Gospel? This book is part of the 9marks series which is a series of books go in depth on what the ministries proclaimed 9marks of a healthy church are. One would think that would be the simplest question to answer for the evangelical church but many times we hear wrong answer or non biblical partial truths. Gilbert begins the book by presenting multiple false positions of what the Gospel is from liberal theologians and health & wealth preachers.

To answer the question of the gospel and what is so good about this news he starts with what is going to be our authority, for the Christian it is the Bible. The author then proceeds to give four questions show more through which he demonstrates his outline to demonstrate the gospel. (1) Who made me, and to whom are we accountable? (God) (2) What is our problem? (man) (3) What is God's solution to that problem? (Christ) (4) How do I come to be included in that salvation? (response).

These four questions provide the frame for the rest of this book in which Gilbert devotes one chapter to answering in more detail. Within the chapters he explains the holy righteous nature of God and Jesus and man’s depravity. He also gives a thorough account of the redemptive work accomplished on the cross for Christ followers. Shows how Christ’s penal Substitutionary atonement is the only thing sufficient to satisfy a holy God. Then in concluding the chapters on answering the four questions he demonstrates what is saving faith and also what is not saving faith.

Gilbert then continues the book by writing what it exactly means now to be a part of God’s kingdom. Once again he reverts back to the text of scripture and what does it say about the kingdom of God. His brief explanation of the kingdom revolves around the idea of the kingdom now and the kingdom which is not yet. He finishes how the kingdom citizen’s should live cross-centered lives by loving one another and longing for the return of their King.

This book like the rest of the 9Marks publications are splendidly written. What is the Gospel? is a enjoyably clear, concise, well-articulated and engaging little book which I highly recommend. show less

What is the gospel? Ask 100 people and you are certain to get a wide assortment of answers. That is why it is a good question to ask and as long as Christians present differing gospel messages, problems and division in the church will persist. That is why a book such as Greg Gilbert’s What is the Gospel? is so needed.

While leaning toward a very Calvinist viewpoint, Gilbert does an excellent job of answering the question posed. As part of the 9Marks series of books, this is quite possibly the most important of the series, as without it’s question answered properly, man and teachers’ ability to save souls will assuredly fall short and flat.

This short book is a quick read due to not only its length, but the words used. Gilbert show more sticks very close to the scripture and the words flow off the page. As I read this book, I got the idea that unlike many Chrisitian authors, Gilbert was not writing this book with a thought of “look at me,” but rather his sole hope was to point people to the cross and the gospel lying at its foot.

To read the rest of this review, log on to www.thispilgrimland.com show less

Excellent, brief summary of the gospel. Gilbert follows the Mark Dever outline of the gospel: God, Man, Christ, Response. He offers helpful illustrations and biblical summaries of the various aspects of the gospel. This is a good book for Christians and non-Christians alike.

I'm not sure how I should rate this. I feel like three stars is good because this book was a mix. I found it had some good elements and some poor elements. I feel like the way he was connecting it to his life and cars and his kids were a bit awkward even if it was a good visual and they took away from the message.

A good overview of the essentials of the Gospel. A good book to help ensure you are emphasizing the things that God is in Scripture.

This book also deals with some of the more subtle ways the Church gravitates away from the central place of the Cross of Christ. A good read!

Finding the gospel in the Bible.