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The World Tilting Gospel
The first generation of Christians turned the world upside down. But the church today is being turned upside down by the world. Why? And why aren't we-with all our social medias and high-tech gadgets-more effectively producing Christ-centered, Gospel-liberated, biblically-instructed, world-tilting believers?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2011
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343 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 25, 2018
I found this to be an excellent and readable overview of the Gospel and key elements of the Christian life. It is an ideal book to give to a young Christian, or to use for discipling someone.
I’ll add this too- old truths need to be freshly restated with each generation. This book is a good example of this- hence, why it is great for the regular church-going Christian.
I’ll add this too- old truths need to be freshly restated with each generation. This book is a good example of this- hence, why it is great for the regular church-going Christian.
October 2, 2016
Let me first say that I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with The World-Tilting Gospel. I appreciated the author's humor as Dan Phillips went through Scripture, outlining various doctrines of Christianity. And, honestly, if you're just starting out on digging deep into the Bible, this is probably a good starting companion book.
Unfortunately, Dan just didn't bring anything new to the table here. Most, if not all, of the information presented in this book I have read countless times in other books and systematic theologies. If anything, it just read as if Dan wanted to be lumped in with those other books but offer a "tilt" of a read. What the result is is Dan's tilt goes too hard and lets the ball slide right between the bumpers into a game ending in redundancy.
Again, if you, yourself, are wanting to take the first steps in digging deep into the Bible, check this out (though I can assure you: there are better books out there). But if you're like me and have read plenty of books similar to this, you can pass.
Unfortunately, Dan just didn't bring anything new to the table here. Most, if not all, of the information presented in this book I have read countless times in other books and systematic theologies. If anything, it just read as if Dan wanted to be lumped in with those other books but offer a "tilt" of a read. What the result is is Dan's tilt goes too hard and lets the ball slide right between the bumpers into a game ending in redundancy.
Again, if you, yourself, are wanting to take the first steps in digging deep into the Bible, check this out (though I can assure you: there are better books out there). But if you're like me and have read plenty of books similar to this, you can pass.
August 19, 2015
The first two thirds of this book provides a very complete explanation of the Gospel, including foundational details about who man is, who God is, man's status before God, man's need, and God's provision for that need (as listed in the introduction). This should not be new to believers, and Phillips does a great job addressing these things in an engaging and enjoyable manner. While many who are familIar with these truths may find little challenging in these pages, there are a number of corrective passages that deal with current or recent trends in mainstream evangelicalism.
The last portion of the book gets into the "so what?" Though the initial basics are a wonderful read, this latter third of the book is where it all comes together. It's convicting, encouraging, and clarifying.
I strongly encourage anyone with any interest in the Gospel to read this. Phillips is smart, funny, and hard-hitting, and his call to action is blatant and bold. His contribution to the church with this book is important and incredibly helpful. Get it, read it!
The last portion of the book gets into the "so what?" Though the initial basics are a wonderful read, this latter third of the book is where it all comes together. It's convicting, encouraging, and clarifying.
I strongly encourage anyone with any interest in the Gospel to read this. Phillips is smart, funny, and hard-hitting, and his call to action is blatant and bold. His contribution to the church with this book is important and incredibly helpful. Get it, read it!
January 3, 2012
This is a wonderful book, beautifully written. Quite simply: if you haven't read this, you ought to.
February 26, 2012
This was a very fine book, one I enjoyed and profited from very much. I won't say much more here since I plan to review it on my blog.
November 18, 2014
Beautiful. Check your pulse if you can read this and not be overcome once again by the good news of the Gospel. A must read, ESPECIALLY for those who belong to Jesus.
February 18, 2017
The last chapter is majestic.
November 18, 2018
A solid articulation of the gospel and the impact on the believer.
February 21, 2019
Theologically-sound, scientifically-accurate book about what the modern church actually believe about the gospel. Highly-recommended.
October 8, 2011
As those familiar with the New Testament will (hopefully) be aware, the title of "The World-Tilting Gospel" (hereafter, TWTG) is a reference to Acts 17:6-7: "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus."
Could this be said of professing Christianity as a whole today? Specifically, can this be said of evangelical Christianity, particularly in the United States? (Overwrought humanistic commentators might think so, but what they usually have in mind in that regard isn't what the text has in view here.) No, the sad fact is that most professing Christians don't live much differently than those who do not profess Christ. In a day in which "Christianity" is still prevalent and in some cases even assumed in our culture, the truth in this verse and passage should be reckoned with more soberly than it often is.
On page 164 Phillips diagnoses the problem:
"Frankly, it boggles my mind how many...won't even admit that Jesus in fact taught differently than what they believe, or that the Bible doesn't go where they want to go. They've made up a Cheerleader Jesus, or a Bobblehead Buddy Jesus, who's okay with their pet sin or perversion. They have yet to come to Square A-and that's the square where we realize what Jesus actually taught and was, and how radically different that is from where we've been."
TWTG isn't merely a meditation or an exposition of one passage. Instead, Phillips gives us a summary of Biblical teaching about the Gospel in a clear, comprehensive and succinct way. In the preface he writes "I love compressed truth." In TWTG he has given us a gem of compressed truth.
Phillips begins by stating that we must grasp:
1. Who we really are,
2. What kind of world we are really living in
3. How the world really operates and where it is really going
4. Who God really is
5. What His eternal plan really was
6. Why we really needed Him and His plan so desperately
7. What His terms--the Gospel--really were
8. What difference the Gospel will really make on every day of our lives
These vital questions are answered here better than in any other recent book that I am aware of. Here we find the truths of creation, the fall, and man's inherited sinful condition. Then Phillips provides us with an overview of God's attributes, how the Gospel meets our need and how it was executed in space and time. Next are a couple of chapters on imputed righteousness and regeneration. This is followed by some very helpful chapters on sanctification and living the Christian life, including examination of several harmful yet widely popular views of the Christian life. The Bible's teaching on the flesh is also helpfully expounded upon, something that the author had previously blogged about under the title of Sarkicophobia! I found this section to be very helpful as I labored under a similar malady for many years.
However, despite covering all of these monumental topics, this is no dry academic treatise. Phillips explains deep truths in a way that can be understood by many who are not used to reading weighty theological tomes.
There is nothing really new here, as I'm sure the author would gladly admit. As has been noted elsewhere, TWTG sets forth the standard Calvinistic view of the Gospel. But this fresh restatement is vitally needed in a day in which there seems to be some confusion even in the Calvinistic camp over the relationship between justification and sanctification, spiritual growth, and other issues.
While there have been many excellent books in recent years, I know of no better gospel handbook or primer that is this thorough yet accessible. It will prove to be very useful for use in discipleship. It will reinforce and clarify things for the believer. It is also a good book to hand to an unbeliever, as it sets forth a whole-Bible worldview. TWTG will bear periodic re-reading. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Here's hoping that this is only the first of many books from the pen (or keyboard) of Dan Phillips!
Could this be said of professing Christianity as a whole today? Specifically, can this be said of evangelical Christianity, particularly in the United States? (Overwrought humanistic commentators might think so, but what they usually have in mind in that regard isn't what the text has in view here.) No, the sad fact is that most professing Christians don't live much differently than those who do not profess Christ. In a day in which "Christianity" is still prevalent and in some cases even assumed in our culture, the truth in this verse and passage should be reckoned with more soberly than it often is.
On page 164 Phillips diagnoses the problem:
"Frankly, it boggles my mind how many...won't even admit that Jesus in fact taught differently than what they believe, or that the Bible doesn't go where they want to go. They've made up a Cheerleader Jesus, or a Bobblehead Buddy Jesus, who's okay with their pet sin or perversion. They have yet to come to Square A-and that's the square where we realize what Jesus actually taught and was, and how radically different that is from where we've been."
TWTG isn't merely a meditation or an exposition of one passage. Instead, Phillips gives us a summary of Biblical teaching about the Gospel in a clear, comprehensive and succinct way. In the preface he writes "I love compressed truth." In TWTG he has given us a gem of compressed truth.
Phillips begins by stating that we must grasp:
1. Who we really are,
2. What kind of world we are really living in
3. How the world really operates and where it is really going
4. Who God really is
5. What His eternal plan really was
6. Why we really needed Him and His plan so desperately
7. What His terms--the Gospel--really were
8. What difference the Gospel will really make on every day of our lives
These vital questions are answered here better than in any other recent book that I am aware of. Here we find the truths of creation, the fall, and man's inherited sinful condition. Then Phillips provides us with an overview of God's attributes, how the Gospel meets our need and how it was executed in space and time. Next are a couple of chapters on imputed righteousness and regeneration. This is followed by some very helpful chapters on sanctification and living the Christian life, including examination of several harmful yet widely popular views of the Christian life. The Bible's teaching on the flesh is also helpfully expounded upon, something that the author had previously blogged about under the title of Sarkicophobia! I found this section to be very helpful as I labored under a similar malady for many years.
However, despite covering all of these monumental topics, this is no dry academic treatise. Phillips explains deep truths in a way that can be understood by many who are not used to reading weighty theological tomes.
There is nothing really new here, as I'm sure the author would gladly admit. As has been noted elsewhere, TWTG sets forth the standard Calvinistic view of the Gospel. But this fresh restatement is vitally needed in a day in which there seems to be some confusion even in the Calvinistic camp over the relationship between justification and sanctification, spiritual growth, and other issues.
While there have been many excellent books in recent years, I know of no better gospel handbook or primer that is this thorough yet accessible. It will prove to be very useful for use in discipleship. It will reinforce and clarify things for the believer. It is also a good book to hand to an unbeliever, as it sets forth a whole-Bible worldview. TWTG will bear periodic re-reading. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Here's hoping that this is only the first of many books from the pen (or keyboard) of Dan Phillips!
February 20, 2012
Howlers heaped on incompetency.
When you believe such demonstrable falsehoods like a literal Adam and Eve or an impossible bald-faced myth like a worldwide flood with a boat with all 3 million species of animals including dinosaurs on board (remember the raptor pen in Jurassic Park?--I guess Spielberg found it on Mt. Ararat), you are committed to epistemic hedonism and must embrace some sort of anti-realist philosophy as this book shows us quite clearly.
To maintain some semblance of intellectual credibility, the tactic of bringing the competition down to your level must be employed. And this is exactly what Phillips has done in this book.
Among fundamentalists, this is not a new development. It has merely been perfected in all its vacuous rhetorical glory in the past decade or so by many of the fundamentalist propaganda mills like Answers in Genesis. But what does it look like?
The likes of Ken Ham and here Dan Phillips, when faced with straightforward, obvious, and unavoidable falsification of their beliefs, have retreated not to the positive defense of their beliefs (not feasible except by means of pseudo-science and pseudo-history) or the worthwhile reading of myth as powerful metaphors but to merely attack empirically and rationally grounded knowledge.
The tactic is to try to bring rationally justified knowledge down to the same level of myth and "divine revelation" in the stunted tradition of non-thinking anti-intellectual literalism by means of a superficial happy hour-level discussions of half-understood post-modernist buzzwords like "worldview." That's where we get this obstreperously ignorant yet fecund niche of throw-away apologetics and sermonizing that this book occupies.
But back to my title. Howlers. Vast numbers of them. All hurled into a sea of scholarly and argumentative incompetence. Page 53: "Moses (the author of Genesis)..." The single, partial quote is enough to make my point. Phillips seriously believes that Moses wrote Genesis. Granted, this is not an apologetics book per se, but what is here is so lackadaisically clueless as to warrant the rebuke of anyone who cares about accuracy.
Instances such as this attribution of Mosaic authorship to Genesis make me question the sincerity and honesty of conservative evangelical authors. Phillips has to be aware (even given that the bibliography of this book is a mere 3 pages long - I've written 1500 word essays with more sources) that this is one of those demonstrable falsehoods that no actual scholar takes seriously. But it persists in the intellectually inbred world of conservative evangelicalism and is a useful myth to perpetuate if your goal is to sell fundamentalism and the rankest form of superstitious supernaturalism.
I give the book two stars because Phillips does write with a clear and lively style. It's too bad his ideas also do not display positive qualities.
To conclude: if you are interested in incompetent and non-existent scholarship and are in need of the most naïve form of Sunday-schooling, this is the book for you. Ray Comfort and Rick Warren would be proud.
For a much better book that demonstrates some actual thought and understanding on matters of the Bible and a mature, informed spirituality see: The Human Faces of God: What Scripture Reveals When It Gets God Wrong (and Why Inerrancy Tries to Hide It). The Human Faces of God: What Scripture Reveals When It Gets God Wrong
When you believe such demonstrable falsehoods like a literal Adam and Eve or an impossible bald-faced myth like a worldwide flood with a boat with all 3 million species of animals including dinosaurs on board (remember the raptor pen in Jurassic Park?--I guess Spielberg found it on Mt. Ararat), you are committed to epistemic hedonism and must embrace some sort of anti-realist philosophy as this book shows us quite clearly.
To maintain some semblance of intellectual credibility, the tactic of bringing the competition down to your level must be employed. And this is exactly what Phillips has done in this book.
Among fundamentalists, this is not a new development. It has merely been perfected in all its vacuous rhetorical glory in the past decade or so by many of the fundamentalist propaganda mills like Answers in Genesis. But what does it look like?
The likes of Ken Ham and here Dan Phillips, when faced with straightforward, obvious, and unavoidable falsification of their beliefs, have retreated not to the positive defense of their beliefs (not feasible except by means of pseudo-science and pseudo-history) or the worthwhile reading of myth as powerful metaphors but to merely attack empirically and rationally grounded knowledge.
The tactic is to try to bring rationally justified knowledge down to the same level of myth and "divine revelation" in the stunted tradition of non-thinking anti-intellectual literalism by means of a superficial happy hour-level discussions of half-understood post-modernist buzzwords like "worldview." That's where we get this obstreperously ignorant yet fecund niche of throw-away apologetics and sermonizing that this book occupies.
But back to my title. Howlers. Vast numbers of them. All hurled into a sea of scholarly and argumentative incompetence. Page 53: "Moses (the author of Genesis)..." The single, partial quote is enough to make my point. Phillips seriously believes that Moses wrote Genesis. Granted, this is not an apologetics book per se, but what is here is so lackadaisically clueless as to warrant the rebuke of anyone who cares about accuracy.
Instances such as this attribution of Mosaic authorship to Genesis make me question the sincerity and honesty of conservative evangelical authors. Phillips has to be aware (even given that the bibliography of this book is a mere 3 pages long - I've written 1500 word essays with more sources) that this is one of those demonstrable falsehoods that no actual scholar takes seriously. But it persists in the intellectually inbred world of conservative evangelicalism and is a useful myth to perpetuate if your goal is to sell fundamentalism and the rankest form of superstitious supernaturalism.
I give the book two stars because Phillips does write with a clear and lively style. It's too bad his ideas also do not display positive qualities.
To conclude: if you are interested in incompetent and non-existent scholarship and are in need of the most naïve form of Sunday-schooling, this is the book for you. Ray Comfort and Rick Warren would be proud.
For a much better book that demonstrates some actual thought and understanding on matters of the Bible and a mature, informed spirituality see: The Human Faces of God: What Scripture Reveals When It Gets God Wrong (and Why Inerrancy Tries to Hide It). The Human Faces of God: What Scripture Reveals When It Gets God Wrong
April 5, 2012
The craziest thing about Christianity, is that it all centers on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet it is the Gospel that so many people get wrong. Shouldn't this be the one thing all Christians agree on? The sad fact is that many who claim to believe the Good News, know very little about what that Good News actually is.
It is because of this sad reality that Dan Phillips book, "The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight," is of such a necessity.
How did the first century Christians turn the whole world upside down, while we accomplish nothing more than arguing with atheists on the Internet? They had, knew, and lived the Gospel. Not some watered down, culturally acceptable imitation, but the glorious truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This Good News put the world in a spin. Dan Phillips sets out to explain the Gospel in all of its World-Tilting power for everyone.
In part one, he explores who were created to be and what we became on account of the Fall. The Good News never appears all that good unless you first encounter the bad in all of its hopeless, condemning terror. Dan painfully lays out our desperate condition, destroying any hope of finding salvation in ourselves.
Part two describes God's Eternal and Sovereign plan for the redemption of mankind. Here we discover how that God in Christ has done everything needed to save his people.(To God alone be the Glory.) Dan lays out the predicament of our dead-ness in sin and our complete dependence upon God for our regeneration and salvation. This section details the nuts and bolts of God's plan of Salvation, which is truly an area that many have settled for nothing more than a romantic, Hallmark card understanding.
Part Three thoroughly explains how we are brought into this Salvation, through repentance and faith, and shares the definition and application for each. Again, these are terms that suffer from many conflicting and erroneous definitions. Phillip's speaks with clarity and accuracy as he navigates past the errors, and leads us straight towards biblical truth.
In part four, we learn how to live with, and apply this biblical world view. Here Dan shares some of the common obstacles to Christian growth, many of which he has personally experienced. We have a habit of making things more difficult than they need to be, and this is one of those areas. He shows from scripture that our biggest need is to simply hear the truth and to obey the truth. Mystical, higher-plane nonsense has no place in the Christian life. Our duty is to hear and obey.
The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight is an excellent book for curious sinners and new believers, as they explore what the Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is. It is written in a mostly positive tone, seeking to portray the truth, yet he doesn't neglect to issue important warnings of potential dangers and distractions that unfortunately can be met with along the way. I greatly appreciate the depth to which he delves into all that the Gospel is. I can confidently recommend and share this book with others knowing that within its pages they will encounter the truth.
You can learn more about Dan Phillips, and read more of his writings at his blog Biblical Christianity and Pyromaniacs where he blogs along with Phil Johnson and Frank Turk.
It is because of this sad reality that Dan Phillips book, "The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight," is of such a necessity.
How did the first century Christians turn the whole world upside down, while we accomplish nothing more than arguing with atheists on the Internet? They had, knew, and lived the Gospel. Not some watered down, culturally acceptable imitation, but the glorious truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This Good News put the world in a spin. Dan Phillips sets out to explain the Gospel in all of its World-Tilting power for everyone.
In part one, he explores who were created to be and what we became on account of the Fall. The Good News never appears all that good unless you first encounter the bad in all of its hopeless, condemning terror. Dan painfully lays out our desperate condition, destroying any hope of finding salvation in ourselves.
Part two describes God's Eternal and Sovereign plan for the redemption of mankind. Here we discover how that God in Christ has done everything needed to save his people.(To God alone be the Glory.) Dan lays out the predicament of our dead-ness in sin and our complete dependence upon God for our regeneration and salvation. This section details the nuts and bolts of God's plan of Salvation, which is truly an area that many have settled for nothing more than a romantic, Hallmark card understanding.
Part Three thoroughly explains how we are brought into this Salvation, through repentance and faith, and shares the definition and application for each. Again, these are terms that suffer from many conflicting and erroneous definitions. Phillip's speaks with clarity and accuracy as he navigates past the errors, and leads us straight towards biblical truth.
In part four, we learn how to live with, and apply this biblical world view. Here Dan shares some of the common obstacles to Christian growth, many of which he has personally experienced. We have a habit of making things more difficult than they need to be, and this is one of those areas. He shows from scripture that our biggest need is to simply hear the truth and to obey the truth. Mystical, higher-plane nonsense has no place in the Christian life. Our duty is to hear and obey.
The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight is an excellent book for curious sinners and new believers, as they explore what the Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is. It is written in a mostly positive tone, seeking to portray the truth, yet he doesn't neglect to issue important warnings of potential dangers and distractions that unfortunately can be met with along the way. I greatly appreciate the depth to which he delves into all that the Gospel is. I can confidently recommend and share this book with others knowing that within its pages they will encounter the truth.
You can learn more about Dan Phillips, and read more of his writings at his blog Biblical Christianity and Pyromaniacs where he blogs along with Phil Johnson and Frank Turk.
Read
November 12, 2011The author Dan Phillips is perhaps best known for being one of the bloggers at TeamPyro. This work is an exposition of the Gospel saving message which Dan Phillips makes clear in the beginning of the book is world-tilting. The Gospel is suppose to be radical and life changing, and no doubt it is. Given the terrible state of Christianity today when it comes to Gospel and Biblical literacy, this work would be good for the hands of the people in the pew or even those who do not believe in Christianity so that at least they understand the biblical message of the Gospel. Written for a general reading audience, Phillips talks to his reader like the way you expect he would in his blog: informal, at times witty and funny, and to the point. His message is derived from Scripture and the quotation and references to chapters and verses are sprinkled throughout the work. Phillips' work is largely a positive presentation of Christianity rather than a negative critiques of what he described as Evangellybeans (weakened comprimising forms of Christianity). I found the most fascinating part of the book was his chapters that dealt with sanctification. Here he does engage in a little polemic concerning three faulty view of sanctification and I thought the chapter devoted to the mystical view of "Let Go, and Let God" was probably the best chapter in the book since this view has largely been ignored in written treatment yet it is one that Christians sometime even assume as a faulty view of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. I would recommend this work for new Christian, non-Christian or older Christians to be reminded of the Gospel. I enjoyed this work, with it's illustrations from time to time and also the author's own original translation. Definitely a work worth buying as a gift for others.
September 30, 2011
Like many believers, my focus has mostly been on the New Testament. I don’t study the Old Testament nearly as much. But this book encourages the reader to look at the whole Bible to see the true picture of who he/she is as well as who God is. The author is well-qualified to explain his premise, but I found I was not so well-qualified to understand it. His qualifications as a theologian were obvious as he quoted scripture and even gave the original Greek words in many cases. A biblical scholar would appreciate his interpretations. The author tried to make the book accessible to the average reader and overall he succeeded. I got the general premise, but I would’ve preferred a simpler explanation of the details. There were many places where the theology bogged me down and I had to skip ahead. Nevertheless, I found many gems of thought and scripture to grab on to. This is not a light read, but it had light moments. I give the author a lot of credit for trying to impart complicated scriptural truths to the average reader. When he summarized, I felt I understood. When he went into lengthy theological explanations he sometimes lost me. To embrace the entire Bible as the Gospel is kind of revolutionary, but it makes sense. As the author points out, the story of humankind and God starts at Genesis, not at John 3:16.
October 7, 2011
I think I was expecting more – maybe because what was going on in this book were ideas and issues I already believe and believe the church should be teaching – regardless though this book is a much needed book for all Christians who want to get back to the basics of Biblical Christianity without all the feel good mush and God owes me blessings theology that is pervading the church today.
Don’t pick up this book unless you have time to devote to reading it, and if you are a Christian who is fed up where the church in general is (you’re church may be fine, but what about those that aren’t teaching the Bible?) then you should devote some time to this book and delve into it’s pages. Dan Phillips does give some humor to break up the seriousness of the matter but it’s still serious but I’m glad when I came across a humorous moment.
So if you want to begin to learn how to actually be a Christian who bases what they live and preach on the Bible then grab a copy of The World-Tilting Gospel but if you want a feel-good Christianity where everything is okay as long as it isn’t hurting anyone you may want to look elsewhere unless you’re willing to have your world tilted upside down in an effort to please no one but Christ.
**I was provided a copy of this book from Kregel Publishing in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.
Don’t pick up this book unless you have time to devote to reading it, and if you are a Christian who is fed up where the church in general is (you’re church may be fine, but what about those that aren’t teaching the Bible?) then you should devote some time to this book and delve into it’s pages. Dan Phillips does give some humor to break up the seriousness of the matter but it’s still serious but I’m glad when I came across a humorous moment.
So if you want to begin to learn how to actually be a Christian who bases what they live and preach on the Bible then grab a copy of The World-Tilting Gospel but if you want a feel-good Christianity where everything is okay as long as it isn’t hurting anyone you may want to look elsewhere unless you’re willing to have your world tilted upside down in an effort to please no one but Christ.
**I was provided a copy of this book from Kregel Publishing in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was given.
October 18, 2012
TWTG is an excellent resource to provide anyone with a detailed, yet concise, explanation of the central theme and purpose of the Bible’s message - i.e. that we might know and love God.
The opening chapters cover the background explaining why this is a necessity and how we came to be in the position we are. From there Phillips shows how, through God’s initiative, we are offered a rescue through Jesus Christ. When thinking through the question of “What’s next?” Phillips pulls no punches in laying to rest a number of silly, speculative ideas about what Biblical spirituality is.
Whatever the price you pay for the book, it is worth ten-times that for chapters 9-13 alone. It is there that Phillips deals with the concepts of what the Bible calls the “flesh” (or in the NIV, ‘sinful nature’). Having set aside the wrong notions of victory and passive holiness in chapters 10-11 he plainly exegetes what the Bible actually says about growth as a Christian.
I have followed Phillips writing on his personal blog and Pyromaniacs for several years, so I am accustomed to his style of no nonsense direct speaking. If you are looking for a soft, wispy intonation of spirituality this is not the book to read. If you want a tool to grow disciples to rely upon and cling to the sufficiency of scripture then buy this and read it.
The opening chapters cover the background explaining why this is a necessity and how we came to be in the position we are. From there Phillips shows how, through God’s initiative, we are offered a rescue through Jesus Christ. When thinking through the question of “What’s next?” Phillips pulls no punches in laying to rest a number of silly, speculative ideas about what Biblical spirituality is.
Whatever the price you pay for the book, it is worth ten-times that for chapters 9-13 alone. It is there that Phillips deals with the concepts of what the Bible calls the “flesh” (or in the NIV, ‘sinful nature’). Having set aside the wrong notions of victory and passive holiness in chapters 10-11 he plainly exegetes what the Bible actually says about growth as a Christian.
I have followed Phillips writing on his personal blog and Pyromaniacs for several years, so I am accustomed to his style of no nonsense direct speaking. If you are looking for a soft, wispy intonation of spirituality this is not the book to read. If you want a tool to grow disciples to rely upon and cling to the sufficiency of scripture then buy this and read it.
February 9, 2012
This book is written to address the way we view the Bible and try to portray the Bible to others, especially those who we want to convince to believe.
The book discusses how we soften the message of the gospel by not mentioning the less than friendly topics of the Bible. Things like God's anger towards sin and the negative repercussions of not believing and therefore spending eternity seperated from God.
This is understandable in the way we don't want to scare new comers out of church or out of believing God is loving and all knowing. But if we glance over the negative repercussions of the results of sin and not believing that Jesus died for our sins are we not also making the wonderful gift provided for us by Jesus dieing on the cross less wonderful as well? Do you not have to have an understanding of the bad to truly celebrate and enjoy the good? If the good is all you know then it just seems normal.
This book uses scripture to discuss the story of the gospel and the great gift it actually is. It discusses the who, what, and the why of the gospel and how you can help tilt the world on it's head when it comes to sharing the gospel.
The book discusses how we soften the message of the gospel by not mentioning the less than friendly topics of the Bible. Things like God's anger towards sin and the negative repercussions of not believing and therefore spending eternity seperated from God.
This is understandable in the way we don't want to scare new comers out of church or out of believing God is loving and all knowing. But if we glance over the negative repercussions of the results of sin and not believing that Jesus died for our sins are we not also making the wonderful gift provided for us by Jesus dieing on the cross less wonderful as well? Do you not have to have an understanding of the bad to truly celebrate and enjoy the good? If the good is all you know then it just seems normal.
This book uses scripture to discuss the story of the gospel and the great gift it actually is. It discusses the who, what, and the why of the gospel and how you can help tilt the world on it's head when it comes to sharing the gospel.
June 13, 2012
WOW! Loved, loved, loved this book. Dan Phillips - plainly, succinctly and pithily - spells out the Gospel and its transformational power. At the same time he correctly diagnoses some of the issues in popular evangelicalism ("Evanjellybeans"). He says he is shocked by "the degree and ingenuity professing Christians put into getting around some of the plainest and most potent truths of Scripture... particularly... the Gospel and its implications."
Other memorable quotes:
On original sin: "Adam was created in God's image. He sinned. He died, and since them, all His children have been spiritually stillborn."
On Genesis 3:15: "The Seed strikes the Serpent on the head - which as we all know in snake-language means 'S-s-s-s-s-see ya later."
On holiness: "God's requirement is not "best effort." God demands and expects absolute holiness, womb-to-tomb, 24/7/365. One speck short of that is a fail."
Other memorable quotes:
On original sin: "Adam was created in God's image. He sinned. He died, and since them, all His children have been spiritually stillborn."
On Genesis 3:15: "The Seed strikes the Serpent on the head - which as we all know in snake-language means 'S-s-s-s-s-see ya later."
On holiness: "God's requirement is not "best effort." God demands and expects absolute holiness, womb-to-tomb, 24/7/365. One speck short of that is a fail."
April 13, 2021
I wish I could give this book more than 3 stars as it should be right up my street. There’s lots of great theology in it, lots of truth but it didn’t quite hit the mark.
I found the general tone of the book extremely condescending. There are ways of disagreeing vehemently with people without resorting to cheap nicknames.
His concern was why there was such a difference between the early church that turned their world upside down and the evangelical church today. What changed those early disciples was twofold I) that Jesus rose from the dead and the implications of that and ii) the giving of the Holy Spirit. The author barely touched on either which is also one of the main issues in UK based evangelicalism.
There is no doubt the Christian message is completely counter cultural and the implications of the gospel go far beyond what we figure. I was disappointed that the authors application basically amounted to just telling the world it is wrong.
I found the general tone of the book extremely condescending. There are ways of disagreeing vehemently with people without resorting to cheap nicknames.
His concern was why there was such a difference between the early church that turned their world upside down and the evangelical church today. What changed those early disciples was twofold I) that Jesus rose from the dead and the implications of that and ii) the giving of the Holy Spirit. The author barely touched on either which is also one of the main issues in UK based evangelicalism.
There is no doubt the Christian message is completely counter cultural and the implications of the gospel go far beyond what we figure. I was disappointed that the authors application basically amounted to just telling the world it is wrong.
August 31, 2025
Amazingly clear and readable book about the gospel - the real gospel, not this watered down stuff the church currently calls the gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again according to the Scripture. This book should be the second thing handed to a new disciple of the Lord Jesus - right after a copy of the Word of God. Need an antidote for the "Christian" malaise of this age? Grab "The World-Tilting Gospel" right after you grab your Bible.
Highest of recommendations.
I mean it. Stop whatever other book you are reading and read this one. And then do it again.
Highest of recommendations.
I mean it. Stop whatever other book you are reading and read this one. And then do it again.
July 8, 2014
Very good book.
I am very thankful that I read this book, because it saved me from turning into a "Muzzy Mystic". The content of the book is sound truth, and brings up many good points. I would recommend this book to every single Christian in the world, because I think that everyone could learn from this book. DISCLAIMER: I a 12 year-old reader learned the hard way that this book is not
for kids. There are many big words and phrases that would steal the value from the reader, and cloud the readers vision of what the author is trying to say. Everything else about this book if excellent.
I am very thankful that I read this book, because it saved me from turning into a "Muzzy Mystic". The content of the book is sound truth, and brings up many good points. I would recommend this book to every single Christian in the world, because I think that everyone could learn from this book. DISCLAIMER: I a 12 year-old reader learned the hard way that this book is not
for kids. There are many big words and phrases that would steal the value from the reader, and cloud the readers vision of what the author is trying to say. Everything else about this book if excellent.
November 8, 2011
Very well thought out presentation of a worldview that really embraces the entirety of the Gospel. This book would be great to use for discussion groups or as a way to present the Gospel to someone who might be somewhat familiar with Christianity or "church."
The books reads just about the way Dan blogs so expect some fun expressions and a very little bit of what some might term "snark."
This will be a book I can see myself turning back to again.
The books reads just about the way Dan blogs so expect some fun expressions and a very little bit of what some might term "snark."
This will be a book I can see myself turning back to again.
May 8, 2012
This is a great book for new Christians that are looking for some explanations of how it all fits together, non-Christians that want to see what an actual Christian worldview is (not the fake ones that get promoted as Christian worldviews but aren't even close), and long-time Christians that may need a refresher.
Easy to read but uncompromising.
Easy to read but uncompromising.
August 14, 2012
Fantastic book and a good foundation or refresher of the Gospel. Halfway through I wasn't sure if I was going to make it (thankfully because I am familiar with a lot of the things he was talking about!) but it was well worth reading through to the end and I found lots of practical encouragement there. Highly recommend it!
September 10, 2012
Long time Christians will start reading this book and think, "I don't need this, it's so basic I won't learn anything here." Give it time and read to the end. Before long you'll begin to be challenged by some of your own notions about the Gospel. Dan Phillips is an engaging writer and a deep thinker. I highly recommend this book.
October 15, 2016
This is really, at its core, simply an old fashioned gospel presentation dressed in winsome, easy to understand prose. This is a good thing. The practical application at the end is great as well. As a presby, I didn't necessarily agree with his ideas on baptism, but that's only a very small issue compared with the book as a whole.
November 25, 2017
In this excellent book, Dan Phillips explains in detail the importance and implications of the gospel message. While quite detailed and varied in angle of approach, Phillips maintains a readable and witty text. I'm only sorry that it took me so long to getting around to reading it. I not only recommend this book, but will likely use it as the basis for a group study sometime soon.
April 7, 2013
A good clear presentation of the basics of a biblical worldview including salvation and sanctififation. The sanctification section was more helpful since I was familiar with most of the material in the first section.
April 12, 2014
Dan Phillips writes a lively account of what the Gospel is and how it calls us to live. His chapters on Gutless Grace and Muzzy Mysticism are good medicine for those who would not take up their cross and those who are tempted to hide in gauzy pietism.
July 8, 2017
Good book, very good book. The message of "The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight" is much needed in a modern churchianity that does not understand the gospel. I pray that the book has a long life and is widely read.
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