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Getting the Gospel Wrong: The Evangelical Crisis No One Is Talking About
The good news of salvation in Jesus Christ that the world must hear is being muddled by the influence of postmodernism within the evangelical church. GETTING THE GOSPEL WRONG sets forth the unchanging biblical standard of the gospel and then proceeds to analyze six aberrations of the gospel prevalent in evangelicalism today. These include the Purpose Driven Gospel, the Puzzling Gospel of popular evangelistic crusades, the Prosperity Gospel, the Pluralistic Gospel, the works-based Performance Gospel, and the Promise-Only (crossless) Gospel. In his review of the first edition of GETTING THE GOSPEL WRONG in Dallas Seminary's theological quarterly journal, seasoned Christian author and editor, Dr. Roy B. Zuck, stated: "Today's postmodern world with its diversity, subjectivism, and absence of absolutes, has led, Hixson maintains, to confusion regarding the Scriptures and particularly the gospel. In this insightful book [Hixson] presents the following definition of the gospel: ʻSaving faith is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died and rose again to pay one's personal penalty for sin and who gives eternal life to all who trust Him alone for itʼ" ("Review of GETTING THE GOSPEL WRONG," Bibliotheca Sacra 166 [October 2009]: 489). "This book is a much-needed call for clarity in presenting the gospel. What could be more important than to be sure unsaved individuals clearly understand what is involved in placing faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life? With so many voices presenting variations of the biblical plan of salvation, the observations in this book need to be studied and heeded" (ibid, 490). GETTING THE GOSPEL WRONG is now available in a thoroughly revised and restructured edition, containing an additional chapter and relevant new material for all who are concerned about the truth and clarity of God's saving message of the gospel.
- GenresTheology
408 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2008
21 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Hixson
19 books23 followersDr. J. B. Hixson is the founder and president of Not By Works Ministries since 1999. A pastor, professor, and national conference speaker, Dr. Hixson has authored fourteen books and contributed to many theological journals and other Christian publications. He earned his B.A. from Houston Baptist University; Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary; and Ph.D. from Baptist Bible Seminary.
When he is not traveling for speaking engagements, he is usually in the pulpit at Plum Creek Chapel in Sedalia, CO where he serves as the Lead Teaching Pastor. If you ever find yourself in the Denver metro area, please join us at Plum Creek Chapel for a Sunday or Wednesday service.
J. B. and his wife Wendy have been married for thirty-three years and have six children and one granddaughter. For more information about Dr. Hixson, or to schedule a speaking engagement, please contact us.
When he is not traveling for speaking engagements, he is usually in the pulpit at Plum Creek Chapel in Sedalia, CO where he serves as the Lead Teaching Pastor. If you ever find yourself in the Denver metro area, please join us at Plum Creek Chapel for a Sunday or Wednesday service.
J. B. and his wife Wendy have been married for thirty-three years and have six children and one granddaughter. For more information about Dr. Hixson, or to schedule a speaking engagement, please contact us.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2016
Truth or Lies
Critical Review of Getting the Gospel Wrong
Disclaimer: while this review is critical in nature, it’s not my place to judge Hixson’s motives, sincerity, or faith. All believers will stand before Jesus Christ very soon to give an account —starting with myself. The critical standard applied to Mr. Hixson’s book should be equally applied to my review based on the Word of God.
In this 324-page book, Hixson presents his view of the gospel and then surveys the different gospels of our day. I sincerely commend his effort to identify the true gospel and expose the false gospels that abound. This one-star review then is not because I disagree on the importance of knowing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, but because I disagree on the content of the gospel and the ongoing faith God requires.
An honest effort was made to be accurate in this review. If you find I’ve misrepresented the author based on this book, please respond with specifics and I will make changes as necessary.
This review will focus primarily on chapter three, “Establishing the Standard: What is the Pure Gospel?” and chapter four, “Establishing the Standard: What is Saving Faith?”
Chapter three:
Hixson claims that saving faith must include five elements to be valid for salvation to occur. He writes, “saving faith is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died and rose again to pay one’s personal penalty for sin and the One who gives eternal life to all who trust Him and Him alone for it.” —end of quote— location 1098.
Hixson does not believe that repentance of sin (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30, Luke 13:3, etc.), baptism (followed after belief in Christ; Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16, Mark 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, etc.), or ongoing faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, Acts 2:47, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Peter 1:8-9, etc.) are elements required for salvation. So one can live the wages of sin and have a free gift, all at the same time. In contrast, the Apostle Paul preached a gospel message of ongoing repentance and turning: “REPENT [Greek present tense, ongoing action] and turn [Greek present tense, ongoing action] to God, performing [Greek present tense, ongoing action] deeds in keeping with their repentance” Acts 26:20. He also taught, “Believe in the LORD [one must believe He is Lord] Jesus, and you will be saved [future tense], you and your household.” Acts 16:31. “And Peter said to them, [1] “Repent and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38.
The outcome of biblical interpretation is influenced by one’s presuppositions. If one believes Hixson’s five elements are required, they read these five in scripture.
Hixson’s view reads theology into scripture. It ignores the historical, grammatical, and contextual method of interpretation. Passages must be examined in context based on established grammatical rules of interpretation, where elements are carefully “drawn out” allowing the scripture and the Holy Spirit of God to illuminate truth outside of an established man-made theological grid. So it’s not about finding five elements in scripture but allowing the scripture in context through the Holy Spirit of God to decide how many elements are required.
Secondly, Hixson teaches that salvation is acquired and kept by a one-time faith. He failed to demonstrate exegetically with ONE passage that salvation becomes a completed action the moment one exercises Hixson’s five-element gospel. There are well over 100 passages in scripture that grammatically and contextually demonstrate that salvation is an ongoing action for those who are being saved. The Bible does not contradict itself.
So what proof does Hixson offer to the church for his new five-element gospel? He calls it, “a matter of theological synthesis.” —end of quote— location 1394 of 6220. He writes, “By linking Scripture with Scripture, one can conclude that these five essentials comprise the kernel of salvific truth that must be believed if one is to receive eternal life. Moreover, a survey of various gospel presentations from the book of Acts validates these essentials.” —end of quote— location 1394.
If these five elements “are a matter of theological synthesis“, then Hixson should have provided a long list of theologians of the past 2000 years whose writings agreed with his. Where is the proof? An examination of church history since Pentecost comes up empty handed. Hixson as evidence for his five element “theological synthesis” provides not one book or author. A search on the Internet suggests Hixson may have borrowed the “theological synthesis” phrase from the Catholic Church.
Hixson’s “theological synthesis” is nothing short of babbling nonsense (in my opinion). When Hixson surveyed the book of Acts he was unable to find ONE salvation account where all five elements were present without making assumptions. Dear believer in Christ, please know that the Bible can be made to say anything one wants when assumptions are added; it becomes a platter to serve one’s theology.
Hixson claims that one account in particular found in Acts 10:34-48 comes close to capturing his five element gospel. An examination will highlight Hixson’s sloppy exegetics. Let’s dive in for a closer look.
For the complete review, please visit my website. In Christ!
Critical Review of Getting the Gospel Wrong
Disclaimer: while this review is critical in nature, it’s not my place to judge Hixson’s motives, sincerity, or faith. All believers will stand before Jesus Christ very soon to give an account —starting with myself. The critical standard applied to Mr. Hixson’s book should be equally applied to my review based on the Word of God.
In this 324-page book, Hixson presents his view of the gospel and then surveys the different gospels of our day. I sincerely commend his effort to identify the true gospel and expose the false gospels that abound. This one-star review then is not because I disagree on the importance of knowing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ, but because I disagree on the content of the gospel and the ongoing faith God requires.
An honest effort was made to be accurate in this review. If you find I’ve misrepresented the author based on this book, please respond with specifics and I will make changes as necessary.
This review will focus primarily on chapter three, “Establishing the Standard: What is the Pure Gospel?” and chapter four, “Establishing the Standard: What is Saving Faith?”
Chapter three:
Hixson claims that saving faith must include five elements to be valid for salvation to occur. He writes, “saving faith is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died and rose again to pay one’s personal penalty for sin and the One who gives eternal life to all who trust Him and Him alone for it.” —end of quote— location 1098.
Hixson does not believe that repentance of sin (Acts 2:38, 3:19, 17:30, Luke 13:3, etc.), baptism (followed after belief in Christ; Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16, Mark 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, etc.), or ongoing faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, Acts 2:47, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Peter 1:8-9, etc.) are elements required for salvation. So one can live the wages of sin and have a free gift, all at the same time. In contrast, the Apostle Paul preached a gospel message of ongoing repentance and turning: “REPENT [Greek present tense, ongoing action] and turn [Greek present tense, ongoing action] to God, performing [Greek present tense, ongoing action] deeds in keeping with their repentance” Acts 26:20. He also taught, “Believe in the LORD [one must believe He is Lord] Jesus, and you will be saved [future tense], you and your household.” Acts 16:31. “And Peter said to them, [1] “Repent and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38.
The outcome of biblical interpretation is influenced by one’s presuppositions. If one believes Hixson’s five elements are required, they read these five in scripture.
Hixson’s view reads theology into scripture. It ignores the historical, grammatical, and contextual method of interpretation. Passages must be examined in context based on established grammatical rules of interpretation, where elements are carefully “drawn out” allowing the scripture and the Holy Spirit of God to illuminate truth outside of an established man-made theological grid. So it’s not about finding five elements in scripture but allowing the scripture in context through the Holy Spirit of God to decide how many elements are required.
Secondly, Hixson teaches that salvation is acquired and kept by a one-time faith. He failed to demonstrate exegetically with ONE passage that salvation becomes a completed action the moment one exercises Hixson’s five-element gospel. There are well over 100 passages in scripture that grammatically and contextually demonstrate that salvation is an ongoing action for those who are being saved. The Bible does not contradict itself.
So what proof does Hixson offer to the church for his new five-element gospel? He calls it, “a matter of theological synthesis.” —end of quote— location 1394 of 6220. He writes, “By linking Scripture with Scripture, one can conclude that these five essentials comprise the kernel of salvific truth that must be believed if one is to receive eternal life. Moreover, a survey of various gospel presentations from the book of Acts validates these essentials.” —end of quote— location 1394.
If these five elements “are a matter of theological synthesis“, then Hixson should have provided a long list of theologians of the past 2000 years whose writings agreed with his. Where is the proof? An examination of church history since Pentecost comes up empty handed. Hixson as evidence for his five element “theological synthesis” provides not one book or author. A search on the Internet suggests Hixson may have borrowed the “theological synthesis” phrase from the Catholic Church.
Hixson’s “theological synthesis” is nothing short of babbling nonsense (in my opinion). When Hixson surveyed the book of Acts he was unable to find ONE salvation account where all five elements were present without making assumptions. Dear believer in Christ, please know that the Bible can be made to say anything one wants when assumptions are added; it becomes a platter to serve one’s theology.
Hixson claims that one account in particular found in Acts 10:34-48 comes close to capturing his five element gospel. An examination will highlight Hixson’s sloppy exegetics. Let’s dive in for a closer look.
For the complete review, please visit my website. In Christ!
November 19, 2013
The writer makes a lot of great points, but his writing style in this book is far too academic to suit the average joe. Which is too bad, because I think this is a topic that really needs to be put before the masses. Author J.B. Hixon goes after many leading evangelicals in the world today (Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Billy Graham, etc.), demonstrating ways in which they have sometimes distorted the essence of the true gospel during the course of their ministries. He also goes to great lengths to explain the current lack of consensus on the essentials of the gospel message in light of the current cultural shift toward postmodernism. I found myself in agreement with virtually everything that Hixon says, but some of his complaints strike me as a bit nit-picky. When it comes to this topic, Hixon is definitely a glass-is-half-empty kind of guy. The one statement that really bugged me was in the footnotes when Hixon suggests that Christians have nothing to learn from Eastern philosophers like Buddha and Confucius. Sure, in terms of salvation, that's absolutely correct, but in terms of general wisdom, I'd have to disagree.
I actually met Hixon at a STEELING THE MIND conference in Denver and heard him give an excellent talk regarding the roots of Anti-Semitism. I look forward to encountering more of his work in the near future.
I actually met Hixon at a STEELING THE MIND conference in Denver and heard him give an excellent talk regarding the roots of Anti-Semitism. I look forward to encountering more of his work in the near future.
May 20, 2017
Dr hixson appears to be saying that you just need to believe what he outlines as the gospel however it is OK to keep sinning as long as you believe. Is tat not contrary to what Paul says. What then shall we go on sinning? God forbid. If person tells me they are saved I accept it on face value however I would hope that person is examining his/her own life according to what they say they believe and what they are living. I diagram with him that a couple of the prominent pastors he mentioned do not teach works salvation.
December 2, 2022
Excellent teachings
Very well researched and everything is referenced. This is an excellent resource to refer to when answering questions from friends.
Very well researched and everything is referenced. This is an excellent resource to refer to when answering questions from friends.
February 14, 2021
I am rather glad the one I read did not have this cover...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews