Why the Gospel?
Living the Good News of King Jesus with Purpose
-
- 14,99 €
-
- 14,99 €
Descrizione dell’editore
Christianity Today Book Award Winner in Popular Theology (2024)
We know what the gospel is—but do we know why it is?
As Christians, we often ask what the gospel is, when we should be asking why it is. Matthew W. Bates has previously demonstrated that the “good news” of the gospel is that Jesus is King. But in his latest book, he explores God’s intentions: why has God issued this royal proclamation? And what role can it play in our everyday lives?
As Bates observes, we find the answer in a simple but challenging realization: “I am a horrible king of my own life.” With examples from Scripture, literature, and personal experience, Bates explains what pledging allegiance to Jesus as ruler of our lives looks like. Living authentically according to God’s reign conforms humanity to the image of Jesus and extends his glory and honor to all creation.
Perfect for church studies, evangelism, or personal spiritual reading, Why the Gospel? invites readers to consider how we can transform our lives and communities through loyalty and devotion to King Jesus. The book includes questions to guide discussion.
Outreach Resource of the Year in Theology and Biblical Studies (2024)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"God has given us the gospel. But for what ultimate purpose and final reasons?" wonders Bates (The Gospel Precisely), theology professor at Quincy University, in this flawed entry. First, Bates spells out what the gospel isn't—an assurance that belief is a get-into-heaven-free card. Instead, its purpose is to proclaim Jesus's sovereignty. Bates writes that believers must recognize Jesus's "royal authority" or else risk "worship bankrupt idols" such as "money, power, sex." After accepting Jesus as king, the faithful should glorify him by praying, giving themselves over to God emotionally, and especially by making disciples of those of "different nations, ethnicities, and cultures," just as Jesus welcomed a diverse swath of peoples into his fold. Bates also discusses how to recruit and retain church members in an "increasingly secular landscape" in which it's "trendier to dismantle traditional Christianity than embrace it." Interventions can entail "wrestling with big questions" in church discussion groups, or joining up with like-minded disciple makers for support. While Bates brings ample enthusiasm to this outing, his argument too often grows repetitive, circling back to the same several points rather than delving deeper into practical applications. Only already devoted believers will find this useful.