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The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News About Jesus Christ the King
A GUIDEBOOK ON DEFINING, SHARING, AND OBEYING THE GOSPEL
King Jesus is supplying lifeblood. But our insufficient grasp of the gospel is a dangerous blockage. If a heart ailment is treated haphazardly, death follows. People are hurting. Churches are confused. The gospel vaguely won’t suffice. We need clarity, simplicity, and truth—the gospel precisely.
But followers of Jesus should beware of harmful imitations. The real gospel in its healing fullness—the one taught by Jesus and his apostles—is the one found in the Bible.
Award-winning author Matthew Bates shows that the gospel is about King Jesus. It is about the cross and resurrection—yet surprisingly much more. Find yourself empowered for discipleship and prepared to share the gospel effectively. Includes resources for personal reflection and group discussion.
This book takes the best of Bates’s previous work and makes it even more accessible. Bravo!
— Scot X. McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
Christians talk about preaching, presenting, and living the gospel, but we urgently need more precision. Matthew Bates has done the church a service by giving us accessible guidance.
— Jonathan Storment, author of How to Start a Riot
The Gospel Precisely delivers biblical depth at the grassroots level with a healthy helping of practical pastoral coaching.
— Mark E. Moore, author of Core 52
MATTHEW W. BATES (PhD, Notre Dame University) is an award-winning author and Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. His popular books include Gospel Allegiance (Brazos, 2019), Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Baker Academic, 2017), and The Birth of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2015). He co-founded and co-hosts the OnScript podcast.
King Jesus is supplying lifeblood. But our insufficient grasp of the gospel is a dangerous blockage. If a heart ailment is treated haphazardly, death follows. People are hurting. Churches are confused. The gospel vaguely won’t suffice. We need clarity, simplicity, and truth—the gospel precisely.
But followers of Jesus should beware of harmful imitations. The real gospel in its healing fullness—the one taught by Jesus and his apostles—is the one found in the Bible.
Award-winning author Matthew Bates shows that the gospel is about King Jesus. It is about the cross and resurrection—yet surprisingly much more. Find yourself empowered for discipleship and prepared to share the gospel effectively. Includes resources for personal reflection and group discussion.
This book takes the best of Bates’s previous work and makes it even more accessible. Bravo!
— Scot X. McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
Christians talk about preaching, presenting, and living the gospel, but we urgently need more precision. Matthew Bates has done the church a service by giving us accessible guidance.
— Jonathan Storment, author of How to Start a Riot
The Gospel Precisely delivers biblical depth at the grassroots level with a healthy helping of practical pastoral coaching.
— Mark E. Moore, author of Core 52
MATTHEW W. BATES (PhD, Notre Dame University) is an award-winning author and Associate Professor of Theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. His popular books include Gospel Allegiance (Brazos, 2019), Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Baker Academic, 2017), and The Birth of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2015). He co-founded and co-hosts the OnScript podcast.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
88 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Matthew W. Bates
11 books109 followersMatthew W. Bates (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is Assistant Professor of Theology at Quincy University. His main teaching area is the Bible and early Christian literature, especially the New Testament. He also teaches courses in Western Religion, Church History, and Christian Spirituality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 1, 2021
Excellent distillation of the Christian message! This book offers the basics, but most Christians will find it surprising in some way. Matthew Bates asks us to reconsider the heart of the gospel and put the emphasis where it belongs -- on the kingship of Jesus and the centrality of the incarnation. He doesn't ignore the cross and our destiny, but he reframes it in a way that highlights what the Scriptures say.
I found much of what he said about human vocation as the image of God helpful, though I think his claim that the image has been distorted or mangled needs greater nuance.
Highly recommended!
I found much of what he said about human vocation as the image of God helpful, though I think his claim that the image has been distorted or mangled needs greater nuance.
Highly recommended!
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December 3, 2022Forced to read this. Did not love it. But working towards my 2022 reading goal
October 27, 2021
Great and Simple
Bates does a great job at simply defining the gospel. I don’t agree with him on every point but I’d be happy to give this book to someone to help them understand what Jesus for us and how he is our Christ.
Bates does a great job at simply defining the gospel. I don’t agree with him on every point but I’d be happy to give this book to someone to help them understand what Jesus for us and how he is our Christ.
December 8, 2021
Bates packs a hard punch in such a short book. Filled with pithy quotes, Bates expands the truncated modern conception of the Gospel. Hint: it's not just about Jesus dying on a cross. It's an easy read with an emphatic recommendation from me.
June 8, 2022
Bates does a marvelous job of laying out the full gospel of Jesus as the anointed One and Messiah of God to the world. He lays this out specifically by identifying the gospel in ten events: that Jesus was eternally present with God, sent by the Father, took on flesh to show humanity what true kingship is, died for our sins, was buried, resurrected three days later, appeared to His followers, ascended to the throne of God the Father to reign as a perfect human, gave the Spirit to empower the Church to live His life of servanthood and protection, and will come as the true King of the world and make His dwelling permanently with all who have claimed allegiance to Him while separating eternally from all who have rejected His rule in this life. I've heard it said that the type of gospel we preach is the type of disciple we get. Bates's gospel, which is the true, Biblical royal gospel of King Jesus, reminds us that the gospel is not primarily about personal forgiveness for an eternal spiritual home someday, but a message of the saving King who does forgive sins, but saves us for the purpose of ruling and reigning as His kings and queens to usher in His work of new creation in the here and now. This is an instrumental tool for those who are on mission for Jesus to make disciples of all people. A great work.
February 10, 2023
Biblical studies major life! This book is SOOO GOOD it transformed the narrow view I didn’t even realize I had of the gospel
June 4, 2023
This serves as a really great pop-level abridgment of Bates’ previous works, particularly Salvation by Allegiance Alone and Gospel Allegiance. As the title suggests, it’s intentionally succinct; so if you’re wanting to inspect all the exegetical footwork informing his assumptions, you won’t find that here. I’d suggest reading SBAA for that kind of content. But this is an excellent resource for those engaged in evangelism and discipleship ministries; it outlines the gospel in a way that’s not only scriptural, but conducive to effective dissemination. Highly recommend!
August 16, 2021
I read more than a book a week on average, mostly theological and philosophical works, and I'm confident in saying that The Gospel Precisely is the most holistic, biblically-based, and clear presentation of the Gospel I've yet to come across.
I felt renewed and invigorated to follow King Jesus with each turn of the page, and I think you'll feel the same.
I felt renewed and invigorated to follow King Jesus with each turn of the page, and I think you'll feel the same.
April 14, 2022
Some interesting thoughts. Probably want to cite more than yourself when it comes to changes in Greek or Hebrew variants. Who supports your translation? I appreciate the confidence in your own published works and I get this is supposed to be simple and straightforward but you need someone to back you up. Imho.
November 30, 2024
Seems like a condensed version of a larger work. However, very stimulating. The author provides 10 statements that scripturally comprise the Gospel (not the consequences of the Gospel). Thinking through these 10 statements would be a worthwhile thing to do. The author provides some brief thoughts to get the reader on the right track.
There is a nice statement of faith included as an appendix.
There is a nice statement of faith included as an appendix.
November 23, 2025
Incredibly helpful. Short, but packs a powerful punch. Should be a must read for those wanting to communicate and live the gospel.
August 28, 2023
Better than most. Still it smacks of American evangelicalism slightly updated. I would agree with Scot McKnight's Statement that it, "takes the best of Bate 's previous work and makes it even more accessible.
December 24, 2025
It's hard to give such a short book 5*'s but it is such a great distillation of the good news of Jesus, written memorably.
October 14, 2025
I read this book with a group in my church. While Bates had a few important points regarding appreciation of Christ as King…which is certainly and obviously true, there were a great number of troubling statements used to draw his conclusions. I’ll leave my writing to my pastor below, but this is certainly far from an exhaustive list of issues I had with Bates’s work.
——-
Below is a selection of excerpts from the book. This is an inexhaustive list of statements I find to be at odds with a traditional understanding of soteriological, anthropological, and Christological doctrines. I remain open to the general thrust of the book desiring a renewed focus of the Gospel (at least in part) as a message of Kingship, but I do have general concerns about the New Perspective on Paul popularized by NT Wright which is a focus of the book, though not explicitly addressed (i.e. communal identity and inclusion rather than strict atonement — my understanding of NPP is admittedly limited). Statements four and five in particular cause me great consternation.
Page 11: “[Bates] is a Protestant by conviction, but serves as Associate Professor of Theology at a religiously diverse [Roman] Catholic institution…”
While I am not necessarily opposed to some limited degree of ecumenicism with the RCC, I am not sure how a protestant can look at their soteriology/plan of salvation and not find cause for disassociation. Participating with the RCC in this way would leave me concerned that there is compromise on the part of Bates with the Solas. I think there is a case to be made that there are RCs who are Christians in spite of the teaching of their church, but that the teaching itself is anti-Gospel to the point where I would not consider us to share a common foundation. Admittedly, I take what is likely a much dimmer view of the Papists than others. Point being that by my reading, Bates's desire for cooperation softens important doctrine further elaborated below.
Page 12: “But we lost our way, through Satan’s influence.”
While Satan did indeed tempt, Adam fell freely of his own accord (Gn. 3.6-7). Thus, he (and we by extension Rm. 5.12) are wholly culpable for our sins of direct commission and we are of a type with a sin nature.
Page 41: “But how does sin affect God’s goals? What if God created humans for a purpose within his wider creation project — a purpose that is no longer achievable because of sin?”
I would argue with a resounding, “It doesn’t.”. God’s goal is the display of His glory, thus He “pardons sin for [His] own sake” (Is.43.25, cf. Eze. 36.32) and “causes all things to work together for good” (Rm.8.28). The good is His glory, and there is nothing that we do or do not do that affects any one of His purposes.
Page 48: “We do not deserve death because of Adam and Eve’s sin; we deserve it for our own sins, because we freely make the same choice to violate God’s commands.”
This statement troubles me deeply. We do deserve death for our own sins, but we also deserve death because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin as the inclination toward sin, creating innate depravity (Ps. 51.5, Ep. 2.1-3, Job 14.4, Jn. 3.6, among others) and a fundamental desire to sin (Jn. 3.19, which is why I need a new heart Ez. 36). Imputed sin as Adam’s guilt being reckoned directly to us as our federal head/representative (Rm. 5.12-19, 1Cr. 15.22, among others). To ascribe only to sins of commission and not to inherited/imputed, we risk at least semi-Pelaganism or minimally a born neutral stance, but this is certainly not the case.
Page 90: “For the Gospel to be effective, God needs not just Jesus but us also. Without humans opting to testify, Jesus’ significance as the divine-human king would be lost in the mists of time. Fortunately, the apostles and others did bear witness…"
Again, this statement as presented is not true. God is fully self-sufficient (Job 22.2-3) and has no necessity of His creatures (Ac. 17.24-25). As Jonathan Edwards said, “[We] contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” The power of the Gospel is not dependent on our participation, though we may be blessed to act as a means via obedience to the Great Commission. Should this duty be left unfulfilled, even “the stones will cry out!” (Lk. 19.40). I would also take issue with the term “fortunately” as if to say, “but God was in luck because we’re so obedient!”. God providentially provides both the means and the obedience to carry out His will. Were the Gospel ever actually dependent on the actions of humans, it would have perished long ago.
——-
Below is a selection of excerpts from the book. This is an inexhaustive list of statements I find to be at odds with a traditional understanding of soteriological, anthropological, and Christological doctrines. I remain open to the general thrust of the book desiring a renewed focus of the Gospel (at least in part) as a message of Kingship, but I do have general concerns about the New Perspective on Paul popularized by NT Wright which is a focus of the book, though not explicitly addressed (i.e. communal identity and inclusion rather than strict atonement — my understanding of NPP is admittedly limited). Statements four and five in particular cause me great consternation.
Page 11: “[Bates] is a Protestant by conviction, but serves as Associate Professor of Theology at a religiously diverse [Roman] Catholic institution…”
While I am not necessarily opposed to some limited degree of ecumenicism with the RCC, I am not sure how a protestant can look at their soteriology/plan of salvation and not find cause for disassociation. Participating with the RCC in this way would leave me concerned that there is compromise on the part of Bates with the Solas. I think there is a case to be made that there are RCs who are Christians in spite of the teaching of their church, but that the teaching itself is anti-Gospel to the point where I would not consider us to share a common foundation. Admittedly, I take what is likely a much dimmer view of the Papists than others. Point being that by my reading, Bates's desire for cooperation softens important doctrine further elaborated below.
Page 12: “But we lost our way, through Satan’s influence.”
While Satan did indeed tempt, Adam fell freely of his own accord (Gn. 3.6-7). Thus, he (and we by extension Rm. 5.12) are wholly culpable for our sins of direct commission and we are of a type with a sin nature.
Page 41: “But how does sin affect God’s goals? What if God created humans for a purpose within his wider creation project — a purpose that is no longer achievable because of sin?”
I would argue with a resounding, “It doesn’t.”. God’s goal is the display of His glory, thus He “pardons sin for [His] own sake” (Is.43.25, cf. Eze. 36.32) and “causes all things to work together for good” (Rm.8.28). The good is His glory, and there is nothing that we do or do not do that affects any one of His purposes.
Page 48: “We do not deserve death because of Adam and Eve’s sin; we deserve it for our own sins, because we freely make the same choice to violate God’s commands.”
This statement troubles me deeply. We do deserve death for our own sins, but we also deserve death because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin as the inclination toward sin, creating innate depravity (Ps. 51.5, Ep. 2.1-3, Job 14.4, Jn. 3.6, among others) and a fundamental desire to sin (Jn. 3.19, which is why I need a new heart Ez. 36). Imputed sin as Adam’s guilt being reckoned directly to us as our federal head/representative (Rm. 5.12-19, 1Cr. 15.22, among others). To ascribe only to sins of commission and not to inherited/imputed, we risk at least semi-Pelaganism or minimally a born neutral stance, but this is certainly not the case.
Page 90: “For the Gospel to be effective, God needs not just Jesus but us also. Without humans opting to testify, Jesus’ significance as the divine-human king would be lost in the mists of time. Fortunately, the apostles and others did bear witness…"
Again, this statement as presented is not true. God is fully self-sufficient (Job 22.2-3) and has no necessity of His creatures (Ac. 17.24-25). As Jonathan Edwards said, “[We] contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” The power of the Gospel is not dependent on our participation, though we may be blessed to act as a means via obedience to the Great Commission. Should this duty be left unfulfilled, even “the stones will cry out!” (Lk. 19.40). I would also take issue with the term “fortunately” as if to say, “but God was in luck because we’re so obedient!”. God providentially provides both the means and the obedience to carry out His will. Were the Gospel ever actually dependent on the actions of humans, it would have perished long ago.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2021
Gospel Precisely met and exceeded my hopes and I am confident it will be a very relevant and practical tool for getting more people thinking biblically about a royal and cosmic gospel. Being able to read it in an hour is important for engaging those who might not get through a longer book....the size will not intimidate. It is very readable and flows well. I really appreciated the structure utilizing "5 key questions and answers", this provides an excellent framework for breaking the down into pre-organized teaching segments. The "response to the Gospel" section was concise and clear, because everlasting resurrection life really comes down to response and this keeps it simple and focused!! Also I resonated a lot with the closing section entitled "tips for testifying to the Gospel today" and sensed tremendous wisdom in what "to say" and what "not to say or at least be more careful if you say it"....this advice is timely for me as I think about these conversations in my own circles. Reclaiming a first century apostolic proclamation of the full gospel good-news is paramount for the church today, and this simple, concise and easy to follow book will be an effective tool for all of us to synthesize, embed and share.
May 31, 2024
We read this in bible study and it is a short and sweet explanation of the gospel. He breaks it down in a way that is easy to digest and understand with biblical support.
“ “Jesus is the Christ” is the basic gospel message in the Bible. “Christ” is the New Testament word for this long-awaited anointed king.”
“Salvation is for humanity’s sake, for creation’s sake, and for God’s own sake-that he might receive the honor that he deserves. Under Jesus’ kingship, we are finally free to cast off our misguided self-rule -our pathetic attempt at life apart from God. Jesus’ servant kingship results in full human flourishing.”
“In the end, we won’t go up to heaven; we are now waiting for the new heaven and new earth, which is when God’s heaven comes down to us on earth. The heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, will descend like a bride prepared for her husband. We will have everlasting resurrection-life as we reign over creation with the King of kings.”
“ “Jesus is the Christ” is the basic gospel message in the Bible. “Christ” is the New Testament word for this long-awaited anointed king.”
“Salvation is for humanity’s sake, for creation’s sake, and for God’s own sake-that he might receive the honor that he deserves. Under Jesus’ kingship, we are finally free to cast off our misguided self-rule -our pathetic attempt at life apart from God. Jesus’ servant kingship results in full human flourishing.”
“In the end, we won’t go up to heaven; we are now waiting for the new heaven and new earth, which is when God’s heaven comes down to us on earth. The heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, will descend like a bride prepared for her husband. We will have everlasting resurrection-life as we reign over creation with the King of kings.”
August 9, 2021
This is a really practical and distilled version of Bates’s previous books on the subject of the Gospel.
Again he summarises the Gospel in 10 historical events. The Gospel can be summarized in less than 10, he assures, but these 10 are the whole gospel of King Jesus.
The book is theologically strong and will be a good healthy challenge to new and old Christians.
It is structured in such a way as to be a very useful tool for catechism, with questions after each chapter.
Some challenges for me, but these are not negatives:
1. Jesus became the Christ at his baptism (p.27)
2. The Father is uncaused
Please consider buying these in bulk for your church.
Again he summarises the Gospel in 10 historical events. The Gospel can be summarized in less than 10, he assures, but these 10 are the whole gospel of King Jesus.
The book is theologically strong and will be a good healthy challenge to new and old Christians.
It is structured in such a way as to be a very useful tool for catechism, with questions after each chapter.
Some challenges for me, but these are not negatives:
1. Jesus became the Christ at his baptism (p.27)
2. The Father is uncaused
Please consider buying these in bulk for your church.
August 21, 2021
The book I’ve been searching for: a compact/short, accurate, no-filler, cut-to-the-point presentation of the gospel. Bates roots his ideas in what I hold to, that the gospel is not only a plan for salvation and afterlife, but is a fleshing out of what it means for Jesus to be King. Bates goes further in explaining what this means for how we interact with both Christians and non-Christians, as well as how the cosmos themselves and all of physical creation are changed and to-be changed. I’ll be purchasing this book for those I mentor and utilize its excellent discussion questions.
August 22, 2021
This is an outstanding resource for discipleship that I wish I had many years ago! It is a short book that can be easily read and has very clear explanations and easy-to-understand definitions. I understand it to be a distillation of key concepts from Bates's more academic books. In this book, Bates takes his earlier work on "faith as allegiance" along with NT Wright's to explain the Gospel in terms that more closely align with how the New Testament writers explained the Gospel. Excellent reading - essential reading for all who work in discipling others and for every follower of Christ.
July 9, 2023
This book is simple and short and I love it! Anyone on or considering the journey with following Jesus could benefit from this quick read.
It outlines how the gospel is primarily not about what we can gain from Jesus but about who Jesus is: He’s the king! A very very good saving king! We’re all making something king in our lives but all the kings we naturally choose suck! Jesus as king is good news because we need look no further. Here is a king that is truly worthy: he has proven his worthiness to us in his willingness to go to the lowest place, the pit, in suffering for us. Each one.
It outlines how the gospel is primarily not about what we can gain from Jesus but about who Jesus is: He’s the king! A very very good saving king! We’re all making something king in our lives but all the kings we naturally choose suck! Jesus as king is good news because we need look no further. Here is a king that is truly worthy: he has proven his worthiness to us in his willingness to go to the lowest place, the pit, in suffering for us. Each one.
August 19, 2023
Very short and simple description of the gospel. In five brief chapters, Bates explains what the gospel is, why it matters, how it benefits the world, what it says about God, and how we can share it. This book continuously challenges common false-gospels or half-gospels that proliferate. It is an excellent short read with engaging reflection questions.
***Though Bates' text is exceptional, I do caution some of the publishing organization's faith statement which is contained in an appendix to the book.***
***Though Bates' text is exceptional, I do caution some of the publishing organization's faith statement which is contained in an appendix to the book.***
January 11, 2025
This is Bates' most concise book on the meaning of the gospel, and it is absolutely packed with great gospel content. Where the gospel many of us heard as children was cut, pruned, and synthesized into a short, easy formula, Bates enriches our understanding with a fuller view of Jesus and biblical theology, keeping what is needed and challenging what is weak, wrong, or woefully lacking. This is a great read, short, and full of discussion questions to be used in a group. Highly recommended.
April 7, 2025
I didn’t like the way it was written. To me it felt hard to read just by the word choice of author. It had good points but I felt like it was trying to over complicate or felt like he was trying to write scholarly but really short.
Agree with the Biblical concepts but wasn’t a fan and didn’t find it that inspiring like most Christian books.
Felt like this based on the teaching would be for new believers but not something they would be interested in.
Agree with the Biblical concepts but wasn’t a fan and didn’t find it that inspiring like most Christian books.
Felt like this based on the teaching would be for new believers but not something they would be interested in.
August 11, 2021
I previously read Gospel Allegiance and mentioned in my review that it was a little out of my wheelhouse. This book is much more accessible and I think would be a great study for new believers. It’s quick, easy to follow, and easy to apply. Like Gospel Allegiance, there are plenty of helps for discussion and small group use.
January 8, 2023
Outstanding
As a Navigator trained sailor from the 70's this would have been a great book. As a student at Dr. Heiser's school today it is still great. Sometimes we get lax or overconfident and these are both good to read from time to time and to hand out to friends, family, and those you are discipling.
As a Navigator trained sailor from the 70's this would have been a great book. As a student at Dr. Heiser's school today it is still great. Sometimes we get lax or overconfident and these are both good to read from time to time and to hand out to friends, family, and those you are discipling.
December 9, 2023
Short to the point.
A good introduction to what the gospel is.
Some parts I'd nuance a little differently. Mainly some of the image of God parts.
But the book is not meant as an exhaustive or even in-depth study, but a short introduction, and as such, I think it is excellent.
It brings me joy to read about what Jesus has done for me and a sense of conviction about sharing the good news.
A good introduction to what the gospel is.
Some parts I'd nuance a little differently. Mainly some of the image of God parts.
But the book is not meant as an exhaustive or even in-depth study, but a short introduction, and as such, I think it is excellent.
It brings me joy to read about what Jesus has done for me and a sense of conviction about sharing the good news.
April 6, 2024
the gospel is more than your personal salvation.
It’s a short book that crams in a lot of ideas but my takeaway is that Bates stresses that the crucifixion is not the climax of the salvation story but instead only a part of the plot which leads to a regeneration of the earth and renewal of God’s glory. The crucifixion is our invitation to become part of the story.
It’s a short book that crams in a lot of ideas but my takeaway is that Bates stresses that the crucifixion is not the climax of the salvation story but instead only a part of the plot which leads to a regeneration of the earth and renewal of God’s glory. The crucifixion is our invitation to become part of the story.
April 15, 2024
The point of the book is not my issue… it’s a much needed message that Jesus is King. I was just sad to read in the back of the author’s stand for complementarian views. :( It’s a divisive issue, but I firmly stand on the Biblical view of women being equipped, called, and empowered to teach, lead and preach.
August 16, 2024
I quickly perused this although I have read it before. It is part of the tome "Real Life Theology," from Renew.org, which every pastor should have. I bought this individual volume to share with those who will be helping me preach and teach through the works of the Apostle Paul over the next year ('24-'25). I highly recommend it...or just buy "Real Life Theology."
February 18, 2022
An excellent overview of the gospel as the human-divine King Jesus comes to redeem all those who give allegiance to Him. Only 5 very readable chapters. Good for high school students especially... Gives end of chapter discussion questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews