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The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ
How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?
The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty--beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.
In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.
The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty--beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.
In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2014
207 people are currently reading
1293 people want to read
About the author
Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.
67 books143 followersPastor Ray Ortlund received a B.A. from Wheaton College, Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, M.A. from The University of California, Berkeley, and Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Pastor Ortlund served as Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, from 1989-1998. He was ordained by Lake Avenue Congregational Church, Pasadena, California, in 1975
In addition to a number of essays and articles, he has published several books. Ray also participated in The New Living Translation and the English Standard Version of the Bible. He contributed the introduction and study notes to the book of Isaiah in The ESV Study Bible.
Ray is the President of Renewal Ministries, a regional director in the Acts29 Network and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition.
Ray and his wife Jani have been married for forty-one happy years, and they have four delightful children. Ray says, "I have the most wonderful wife, I love my kids and grandkids, and I love Immanuel Church. My dream is that God would use us for true revival in our city."
In addition to a number of essays and articles, he has published several books. Ray also participated in The New Living Translation and the English Standard Version of the Bible. He contributed the introduction and study notes to the book of Isaiah in The ESV Study Bible.
Ray is the President of Renewal Ministries, a regional director in the Acts29 Network and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition.
Ray and his wife Jani have been married for forty-one happy years, and they have four delightful children. Ray says, "I have the most wonderful wife, I love my kids and grandkids, and I love Immanuel Church. My dream is that God would use us for true revival in our city."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
July 6, 2015
Fantastic. Gospel Doctrine + Gospel Culture = A church that portrays the beauty of Christ. The first half of the book outlines the message of the gospel from the point of view of an individual, a church, and the world. The second half takes a realistic look at why it is that so many churches fail to live out a culture that corresponds with the gospel. When the gospel is truly preached, people will either respond with joy or take offence, and persevering despite the negative responses (usually from church members) requires prayer, courage and love. What a challenging and constructive book. Plus, it's short (130 pages, small format), readable and nicely presented.
February 20, 2022
A wonderful book about the wonder of the Gospel and the need to see clear gospel doctrine produce clear gospel culture in our churches. Easy to read but above all thoroughly thought provoking to me yet exalting to Christ. Superb.
“It is not enough to ask, does our church teach gospel doctrine?, we must also ask, is our church culture clearly aligned with that gospel doctrine?”
“It is not enough to ask, does our church teach gospel doctrine?, we must also ask, is our church culture clearly aligned with that gospel doctrine?”
April 15, 2025
“The promise of the gospel is not about you going to heaven to be with Jesus alone, the promise is that all of God‘s people will be with him glorious community forever.”
October 10, 2023
I actually thot this book was another book I want to read about the Church (had similar covers).
But still good and deep look at the Gospel and church.
Btw this author is the Grandfather of Dane Ortlund (Gentle and Lowly).
But still good and deep look at the Gospel and church.
Btw this author is the Grandfather of Dane Ortlund (Gentle and Lowly).
January 10, 2024
The best of this series. Goodness. Reading this alongside Tripp in Dangerous Calling is gospel medicine not only for my own heart but for church culture. Praise the Lord for Ray’s incredible influence upon so many churches because Christ graciously died for him. May we love the gospel and live it out as Ray does as he imitates Christ. There are few brothers I’ve not met who I’m as thankful for, God has been kind to this generation.
December 9, 2024
Gospel doctrine + Gospel culture = Church
Superb little book! "The gospel is a theological message but one that creates human beauty - in human relationships"
Superb little book! "The gospel is a theological message but one that creates human beauty - in human relationships"
March 23, 2023
A refreshing reminder of how the gospel should shape church life and all life really for us as Christians. I found the repeated phrase ‘gospel doctrine + gospel culture = power’ helpful and challenging throughout, both personally and reflecting on my own church. I loved some of the quotes Ray has included from people and it has inspired me to read some other books! I’m trying to read three different books at the moment so I read this quite broken up but it was still excellent and easy to come back into.
December 31, 2023
The gospel means ‘good news’ - which it is! The creator of the universe loves the people he made and has come near to us to bring us into relationship with him and into eternal life. But so often Christians and churches don’t act or live like they believe that, or in a way that examples it. Ortlund’s book confirms the goodness of the news of Christianity, then persuades why and how churches can ensure this good news is seen in and offered by churches: communities of God’s people all over the world. This is how God has called us to be, and this book is a helpful and encouraging work to help us live it out.
January 15, 2022
Ray Ortlund paints an incredibly sweet picture of what our churches (and the members inside) should be to reach this world and the people in it. The reader is challenged to examine their church cultures and their own hearts to see where the beautiful Gospel is tarnished through poor culture amidst sound theology. Ray uses Paul's reprimand of Peter (Acts 2) to propose that churches (and believers) deny good doctrine when they have an anti-gospel culture. As Ortlund puts it, "Peter never denied true gospel doctrine. But he contradicted the true gospel’s culture of acceptance through his behavior". I would encourage any believer to read this to see the high character that is required of the church and ourselves - as well as our eternal reliance on Christ to acheive it.
August 21, 2023
Truly a great read and a short one, too! Highly recommend!
Among my favorite from this book:
"The Holy Spirit awakened us to see God in a new way - not as our last resort, but as our Fountainhead"
"We must weep over people for whom no gospel presentation is ever good enough, people who are not satisfied because they are not satisfiable"
"The church was meant to be a living thing, a living person and as the person cannot be supported if life is absent, or if food is kept back, or if breath is suspended, so should it be with the church"
Among my favorite from this book:
"The Holy Spirit awakened us to see God in a new way - not as our last resort, but as our Fountainhead"
"We must weep over people for whom no gospel presentation is ever good enough, people who are not satisfied because they are not satisfiable"
"The church was meant to be a living thing, a living person and as the person cannot be supported if life is absent, or if food is kept back, or if breath is suspended, so should it be with the church"
January 27, 2021
Great book about “how the gospel can shape the life and culture of our churches so that they portray Christ as he really is”.
A church that has gospel doctrine *and* a gospel culture puts the beauty of Christ on display to the world around.
Praying this would be increasingly true of my own ministry and church.
A church that has gospel doctrine *and* a gospel culture puts the beauty of Christ on display to the world around.
Praying this would be increasingly true of my own ministry and church.
January 9, 2019
Excellent.
July 31, 2023
It’s just so good. Gospel Doctrine creates Gospel Culture.
January 10, 2024
What a great book. A refreshing encouraging beautiful summary of the Gospel and the Church. How the Gospel compels what a church should look, sound and feel like. This is a great one for young and old Christians alike.
January 19, 2026
Dang that last chapter made me cry
December 19, 2020
Great book that focuses on the effect the gospel should have in the church as a whole. Gospel doctrine creates gospel culture. Recommended.
January 12, 2025
So many takeaways from this book—found it especially relevant with the big move coming up!
March 22, 2020
I love all of the 9 Marks books. This book ends with a challenge to think about what the Gospel means in our lives. It challenges with the love of Christ. In the beginning, I thought the book would be a simple explanation of the Gospel. As with all 9 Marks book, the book is challenging and informative; far from just a repetition of the teaching of the Gospel.
January 13, 2026
Very encouraging. The first half essentially explains the gospel and related doctrines and the second half articulates the type of church culture that comes out of the gospel of grace (we can confess our sins and are met with patience and God's grace, not legalism and shock).
The gospel doctrine and gospel culture pieces may be confusing for an unbeliever (ie. is the gospel = to building gospel doctrine?), so it probably wouldn't be my first choice to hand an unbeliever (Gilbert's What is the Gospel?). But, very helpful for church members and leaders to promote honesty about our sin, suffering, and weakness that we tend to hide out of fear of what God and others will think.
The gospel doctrine and gospel culture pieces may be confusing for an unbeliever (ie. is the gospel = to building gospel doctrine?), so it probably wouldn't be my first choice to hand an unbeliever (Gilbert's What is the Gospel?). But, very helpful for church members and leaders to promote honesty about our sin, suffering, and weakness that we tend to hide out of fear of what God and others will think.
April 13, 2023
Gospel doctrine and gospel culture are essential pairs to the church’s witness of Christ. The truth of the gospel changes lives individually and corporately. The world will see the gospel lived out in the church and we will be the aroma of Christ. To some an aroma of life to life and some an aroma of death to death. Looking forward, Ray encourages us that we must continually cling to Christ for the power, courage, and love that will create unity in the gospel and witness of the gospel in our churches.
June 10, 2021
Helpful summary of the Gospel. I especially appreciated the section dealing with sharing the Gospel message and having our theology RIGHT, but having our church culture and practice WRONG (cf. Paul & Cephas, Galatians 2).
Favourite quote:
"If you feel little restlessness for new blessing on your church, maybe you have forgotten whose church it is. It is not your own. It was bought with a price, and it belongs to Another."
Favourite quote:
"If you feel little restlessness for new blessing on your church, maybe you have forgotten whose church it is. It is not your own. It was bought with a price, and it belongs to Another."
December 25, 2025
Short book about the importance of gospel doctrine and gospel culture within a church. A church with strong gospel doctrine and a strong gospel culture will be a place of hope and forgiveness, a place where the gospel truth is evident to anyone who enters.
I also liked how it encouraged the reader to continue to ask if their church is truly prioritizing the gospel, and if not, to work to correct that.
I also liked how it encouraged the reader to continue to ask if their church is truly prioritizing the gospel, and if not, to work to correct that.
May 18, 2024
This book is just a banger! The Lord blessed this family of writers! This book portrays the necessity of gospel culture within the local church. Convicting and practical in striving for a gospel culture. Makes me very thankful for a gospel centered church and has my eyes open on how I can contribute and help the church continue to walk in that direction!
January 12, 2023
So good! It’s a book anyone in ministry should read. It’s aimed at pastors, but applies to just about any ministry situation. Chapters 1,4, & 7 were super encouraging and challenging to me. Well worth a read!
February 16, 2023
My vision for ministry is wrapped up in this book. I am in debt to Ray Ortlund for pulling out biblical doctrine and showing it’s practice through a gospel-centered church. God has used him immensely in my life.
This is my second time reading this and will return to it often. Highly recommended!!
This is my second time reading this and will return to it often. Highly recommended!!
April 19, 2023
Not a whole lot to add to this conversation. Took a group of church members through this book. It is accessible and short. It is especially helpful for Christians that struggle to see how the gospel shapes our life in the local church.
June 27, 2023
This is a small but weighty book. Plan to read, re-read, think, and evaluate. Convicting, encouraging, and guiding into things that are foundational to Christianity yet rarely practiced. This is a must read for ministry leaders.
August 2, 2023
As i have been looking for a new church, this has been very helpful for what to look for and what to keep in mind! i enjoyed every page and i loved the main point that Gospel Doctrine creates a Gospel Culture.
July 5, 2024
Such a solid and refreshing read!
“Churches don’t make the gospel true. It is true even when the household of God behaves badly. But people can see that it is true, and doubters are converted when ‘the sweetness of the Lord’ is upon us.”
“Churches don’t make the gospel true. It is true even when the household of God behaves badly. But people can see that it is true, and doubters are converted when ‘the sweetness of the Lord’ is upon us.”
October 13, 2020
Fantastic. Ortlund advances the thesis of the absolute imperative of Gospel Doctrine + Gospel Culture to display the Beauty of Christ to a lost world. This may be the first time I've read stirring and heart-warming ecclesiology.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews