What Is the Gospel?

by Greg Gilbert, D.A. Carson (Foreword)

This newest addition to the IXMarks series presents a clear, straightforward statement of the gospel, the third mark of a healthy church.

What is the gospel? It seems like a simple question, yet it has been known to incite some heated responses, even in the church. How are we to formulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel? Tradition, reason, and experience all leave us ultimately disappointed. If we want answers, we must turn to the Word of God.

Greg Gilbert does so in What Is the Gospel?. Beginning with Paul's systematic presentation of the gospel in Romans and moving through the sermons in Acts, Gilbert argues that the central structure of the gospel consists of four main subjects: God, man, Christ, and a response. The book carefully examines each and then explores the effects the gospel can have in individuals, churches, and the world. Both Christian and non-Christian readers will gain a clearer understanding of the gospel in this valuable resource.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian Living, Evangelism, Faith

127 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Greg Gilbert (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of What Is the Gospel?, James: A 12-Week Study, and Who Is Jesus?, and is the co-author (with Kevin DeYoung) of What Is the Mission of the Church?.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read this book several times now, as my church uses this as part of our membership process, as well as in one-on-one discipleship. The book is mostly solid in its presentation of the gospel message of personal salvation.

I have a few criticisms of the book. First, Gilbert begins the book by critiquing various writer's attempts to explain the gospel in a few sentences. He makes it clear that they miss the mark, and then spends more than one hundred pages explaining what the gospel is. So far, so good. The trouble is that he does offer a framework that is easily missed by those not paying close attention. His four-part message is: God, Man, Christ, Response. It is a good, simple, flexible framework. But he doesn’t develop it in the way he should, especially when he is so critical about those trying to offer an abbreviated gospel message in the beginning of the book.

Secondly, I would be reluctant to give this book to a non-believer, without meeting with them to discuss it. Gilbert doesn’t really seem to be addressing non-Christians in the book. He uses vocabulary and ideas that are not approachable to someone new to the Bible and the gospel. It is also too polemical, particularly chapter seven, “Keeping the Cross at the Center.”

Scott McKnight, in his book “The King Jesus Gospel” helped me to see that this book, and others like it, is really answering the question, "How can I be saved?" more than it is answering the question, "What is the Gospel?" These are two distinct questions with different, though overlapping answers.

Lastly, and this is not just a criticism of Gilbert, but all evangelicals that succumb to pessimillenialism, as Gary North calls it. But, since I'm reviewing Gilbert's book, I'm going to target him. For a writer to write over 100 pages about the gospel and its power to change lives and advance the Kingdom of God, and then tell you that it won't make any meaningful impact upon the here and now--it really takes the punch out of it all. Is the gospel powerful or not?

This comes out in two of the latter chapters, “The Kingdom” and “Keeping the Cross at the Center.” He writes,

“I have some serious biblical and theological reservations about the cultural transformation paradigm. I’m not convinced that Scripture places efforts at cultural transformation in quite the position of priority that many transformationalists call for. That’s for several reasons. For one thing, I don’t think the cultural mandate in Genesis is given to the people of God as such; I think it’s given to human beings as a whole. I also don’t think the general trajectory of human culture, either in Scripture or in history, is in a godward direction; instead I think the trajectory of human culture on the whole, though not in every particular, is judgment-ward. I think the optimism of many transformationalists about the history of “changing the world” is misleading and therefore will prove discouraging.” P. 108

There’s a lot in there, without any footnotes, and without much to really interact with. But at least he’s forthright with his own biases. One of the main problems with such a view is that it becomes self-fulfilling. If you “can’t win down here” how could you possibly proceed with a course that could result in a different outcome?

Related to this, in the previous chapter, “The Kingdom”, he writes:

“The fact is that we as human beings are not going to be able to bring about the establishment and consummation of God’s kingdom. Despite all our best—and genuinely good—efforts to make the world a better place, the kingdom promised in the Bible will only come about when King Jesus himself returns to make it happen.” P. 92

Again, there’s a lot to agree with in both of these quotes. But he’s too vague in what he says to be able to meaningfully engage with what he’s written. Of course human beings are not going to bring about the establishment and consummation of the kingdom, but aren’t we all a part of that work, through the power of the Spirit? Does God send us out into the world with the expectation that we won’t be able to disciple the nations as he has charged us to do? If we do that, won’t that in some way transform the world? Will that not further establish Christ’s kingdom on earth?

Overall, the book is good at offering a simple, memorable, and flexible framework for sharing the gospel of salvation. It is weak on the Kingdom and the power of the gospel. There are many other books like this one, including Sproul’s “What is the Gospel”, N.T. Wright’s “Simply Good News”, Dan Phillips’ “The World-Tilting Gospel”, and “Scott McKnight’s “The King-Jesus Gospel.” They too, all have their shortcomings.

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 2 out of 5]

With all the endorsements, I expected this book somehow to be earth-shattering in its presentation of the good news. And it is a good presentation, but I don't think I quite understand the reason for all the accolades.

On a critical note one thing that really got my attention was his arguments against three "substitute" gospels as follows:
"Jesus is Lord" is not the gospel
Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation is not the gospel
Cultural Transformation is not the gospel

First, who is hearing these being proclaimed as "the gospel"? And second, out of all the rampant heresy gospels out there, why these three?

Wouldn't it be more prudent when one has such a wide audience to talk about how the health-and-wealth gospel is not the gospel? Or about how "loving people where they are" (and by that I mean not calling them to repentance but affirming them in their sinful ways, i.e. the approval of homosexual and other sexually immoral "lifestyles" in our day) is not the gospel? Or about getting someone to pray a prayer or raise their hand or come up to the altar is not the gospel?

Obviously, God can save people through any means He chooses (just as He can save people through a message that Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:36-37), or the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation outline (Acts 17:22-34), or the fact that the gospel does call us to cultural transformation (Eph. 5:8, 11)). But it seems to me that these three (especially the first two - "health and wealth" and "the gospel of love wins") are much more prevalent and much more worth warning against than "Jesus is Lord", the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation outline, or our call to cultural transformation.

On that note of cultural transformation, though, I'm wondering what his motives are for calling that out so specifically. To my knowledge, except for those who are liberal in their theology (those who deny the penal substitution of Jesus Christ - another good antigospel he could have defended against), no actual Christian who believes we are called to transform the world through the gospel believes that transformation of the world is the gospel... Yet it wasn't the liberals who were his target but evangelicals.

I'm just baffled by his three main "substitute gospels" being seemingly strawmen arguments at best, all the while neglecting very popular actual false gospels out there.

Aside from that, his chapter on the kingdom of God also sets up some clear strawman arguments against postmillennialism (no evangelical or reformed postmillennialist thinks that "we" are bringing in the kingdom of God).

In summary, a good presentation of the good news that Jesus Christ, the God-man, lived a perfect life and died on the cross as the perfect, satisfactory propitiation for the sins of all who put their faith in Him alone for their salvation - yes. But nothing great on the kingdom of God, and very disappointing in terms of "false gospels" to look out for - whether new believer, non-believer, or seasoned saint.

[Ali McNeely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid theology. But this man’s voice is not for me. “Look at all of these ridiculous fools and how wrong they are about the gospel. Now I’ll tell you what’s right, and believe me, I’m the smartest.” A little humility goes a long way. I for one LIKE the Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation device for explaining the gospel better than his God, Man, Christ, Response device. Also, lots of modifiers could’ve been erased. For example, “Jesus’ incarnation was much more than just a kind visit from the Creator. It was the launching of God’s full and final counteroffensive against all the sin, death, and destruction that had entered the world when Adam fell,” could be, “Jesus’ incarnation was the launching of God’s full and final counteroffensive against all the sin, death, and destruction that had entered the world when Adam fell,” but that’s my minimalism coming out. Anywho, I’ll stick with Eph. 2 for explaining the gospel day-to-day, I think.

Addition: after re-reading my review, maybe a little humility in my reviews goes a long way, too 🙃 I said what I said, but I can always grow 😅

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, during the Christian journey, we find ourselves with the cruise control on. We are living life, and trying to keep our walk straight but our attention is on our life. We stop thinking about why we believe what we believe or how we got to that point. This book is one of those that is good for a check up, if you are a believer. It reminds us of exactly what we are supposed to be espousing. For someone who is not a believer, it is a very good explanation of what faith in Christ is supposed to be centered on.

[Josh Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café.

The latest book I got to review for christianaudio's reviewer program (meaning I received a complimentary copy) was Greg Gilbert's What is the Gospel? This book is actually part of a series from 9marks, going in-depth about what that organization considers to be the nine marks of a healthy church, as argued by Mark Dever.

I actually finished this audiobook over a week ago, but I didn't feel any urge to get a review out quickly because I really didn't care for the book. I was also trying to figure out good ways to positively engage with it.

The purpose of this tome is to answer the question of the title: What is the Gospel? Gilbert makes the excellent point that Christians are fragmented in our definitions of what the Gospel is. While I see that (generally) more as an element of different people emphasizing different aspects of the Gospel, Gilbert seems to almost take offense that there is not a simple, unified definition. His writing seems to question the salvation of people who do not understand the Gospel in the same way he does of Penal Substitutionary Atonement as paramount.

He begins the book by arguing that the Gospel is larger than most people make it to be, a statement with which I agree. However, he quickly simplifies it to issues of salvation. I find it somewhat interesting that his book was offered to review at the same time as The Next Christians, which I loved. The latter does a much better job at explaining how the Gospel is much more than simply salvation from Hell.

In any case, I think I found some of the reasons I had problems with Gilbert's text. First of all, he states that as Christians, we value the Bible as infallible and inerrant, thus taking a literal view. This is a big theological assertion, as the majority of Christendom does not view Scripture as both infallible and inerrant. This is an example of how Gilbert implies that if one does not interpret Scripture the same way he does, that individual is not actually a Christian. There are people who take this view. I am not one of them and feel very strongly about this.

This approach to Scripture shapes all of his interpretations, which is where my problems begin. With a literal view, people often approach the Bible from a "plain meaning" perspective, assuming they understand it from a simple reading. Therefore, explanation is not often needed. Gilbert exemplifies this approach by providing evidence for his statements by simply stating, "see Revelation," without additional explanation.

While he makes some good points about the Gospel, this approach of simply citing Scripture without providing his interpretation of it makes his arguments unsupported, in my view. Further, I simply disagree with his reading of many elements of Scripture because I do not approach the Bible as inerrant.

I believe many other things should be considered to help us understand the Bible, including tradition, intuition, science, etc. These things should not supersede the Bible, but they are relevant, as the Bible is not always clear. Gilbert, however, argues that relying on tradition, intuition, etc. for truths, leads to unanswered questions. And he indicates that unanswered questions are unacceptable. This is an area with which I strongly disagree. I think God gives us many unanswered questions, and that is not a problem. In fact, it creates a rich space for growth. And ironically, Gilbert uses the Bible the same way the people he criticizes use tradition and intuition--just accepting what they have been told and not critically engaging it to find Truth.

One of the things Gilbert frequently says is that the Good News of the Bible is that we can be rescued (I agree). However, he says, that unless we know we need to be rescued, it's not good news. So we need to emphasize the sinful, wicked nature of people to point out how depraved they are. I disagree with this. Most people I know actually know very well how much they need help. They don't need others reminding them. That just makes things worse. And sometimes the way we find out we need help is by getting the help and getting out of the situation.

In any case, Gilbert seems to emphasize how we need to know how the Gospel is Good News for me. Not for other people. For me. There's a selfish feel to it, in my opinion. In many ways, he presents what Gabe Lyons describes in The Next Christians as a view of doing good for the most people rather than for all people. Jesus and the Gospel definitely focus on emphasizing good for all people, not just a few. While only a few may take advantage of it, they do not only offer it to those few.

So therefore, cultural change is a powerful thing that is very holy and central to the Gospel. Gilbert argues that cultural transformation is not part of the Gospel. However, the way he describes it seems to be more related to Lyons' description of cultural Christians, those who take Christ in-name-only and look like the culture. In contrast, the restorers are people who are deeply connected to Christ and want to restore the world and the culture to God's hope and dream for the world in a way that will benefit all people. That's a powerful and True Gospel.

[Ben Omer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s not much else to say other than Greg gets in his bag for this one. Greg clearly explains the gospel in 4 simple steps: God, Man, Christ, Response.

Not only is this book immensely theological for its size, it is also wonderfully practical and explains theological tensions that threat the gospel today.

I love how Greg uses warfare language (king, rebellion, enemies, etc.) to explain the gospel in ways that would click for most of his audience. For example, when Greg says we’re all rebels against the king and we’re fighting for the enemy’s side when we sin against God, it gives you a unique perspective to how we approach sin, God and our response to him.

Overall a must read for everyone! Whether you’re new to the faith, skeptical about Christianity, or have been walking with the Lord for years, you will be edified by this book.

[Heather Gladney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good reminder of what the gospel is and is not. He spends the majority of the book talking about the Father’s role, Jesus’ death despite his righteous, and our sin that is now reconciled. He gives a few examples of false gospels and how Christians can miss the mark of sharing what Christ has done for us. Very solid book!

[Jessica Champlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen and I have had the joy over the past few months of seeing our oldest son start pursuing God on his own initiative. He wanted to talk to our pastor because he was struggling with knowing whether he really was a Christian or not and our pastor gave him this book to read. We already had a copy, but it was special to him to get his own. Excellent explanation of what the Gospel is and what it means to believe it. He had been reading it alongside his Bible the mornings before school and just finished. If anyone reads this and has recommendations on what to give him to read next, I’m all ears!

[Jeannette Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellently written. It was concise and pretty straight forward about what the Gospel really is. I think every Christian should read it at least once. It gives you a clear outline of how to present the Gospel without omitting crucial details. I believe there is much desperation to see those around us experience the grace of God that we tend to downplay consequences of sin and being unrepentant. This, in turn, causes many people to promote the rewards of the Kingdom in order to attract our loved lost ones without fully disclosing the imperative nature of the Cross. However, Greg Gilbert reigns it in quickly and makes you realize that it is only through the Cross, and EVERYTHING the Cross represents, that one may partake in the Kingdom.

Although I think highly of this book, I would still recommend for everyone to turn to the Bible to seek answers to "What is the Gospel?".

[Gerald Koskinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to read on Christmas. Not a long book which is actually fitting to the title. A very clear and concise message to help understand the main focus of the Bible. It is refreshing and straight to the point. It challenges me to stress what is truly important to the people I interact with each and every day.

[Dustin Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

While in some ways, Gilbert is a bit too reactive in the way he emphasizes certain elements of his thesis to the point of a tad of overcorrection, this book is still a very helpful summary of a Biblical view of the Gospel.

I found it encouraging as a believer, and do think it would be fruitful for many who are seeking to understand Christianity (it wouldn’t be for every non-Christian, but many with an open mind would benefit from it, I think). It is saturated with Scripture and even some helpful images and illustrations.

His framework of God, Man, Christ, and Response is clear, Biblical, and easy to communicate to others. His main thesis here is that the Gospel must be preached in such a way that people can be SAVED, not just hear information about God, without a way to “get in on it”. I appreciated this aim immensely.
At times though, it added to his slight overcorrection unfortunately, narrowing what “The Gospel” is a bit more than is necessary.

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

We did this book and study guide with some couples in our church and it was a simple yet truth filled study to do together. Very useful for daily life. Answers many questions people have who we will encounter.

[Shane Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021 reads: 05/52

Rating: 3.5 stars

Greg Gilbert writes with a lively and sharp tone. This makes it an excellent read for unbelievers or new converts. Readers can expect Gilbert to get straight to the point. Perhaps its simplicity and clearness comes at the loss of nuance and depth. Of course balancing these two aspects is tough in such a short book. Overall, Gilbert’s book does offer a nice crash-course on what is the gospel.

Gilbert utilizes the God-Man-Christ-Response paradigm. I certainly appreciate this format and think such a framework is much more beneficial than a ‘Romans-Road’ presentation. Opting for Gilbert’s format utilizes the entire canon and seeks to provide a context foe the good news of Jesus that doesn’t just explain an individual’s sin before a holy God.

This is my second reading now and three critiques surfaced: 1) I think the chapter on the kingdom of God could and should have been placed at the beginning, providing a context for the God-Man-Christ-Response. Such has biblical precedent as the “gospel” of Jesus was the “gospel of the kingdom”; 2) I think Gilbert’s “God” is missing one vital aspect: the love of the Truine God. Gilbert places his emphasis on God being creator and thus “owner” and holy, and thus our judge. I think something that Michael Reeves provides in ‘Delighting in the Trinity’ is needed here to fill in the triune God’s purposes as stemming from love; 3) I think Gilbert could have perhaps sought to integrate the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Consummation framework with the God-Man-Christ-Response. I don’t think these two are at odds with each other to the degree he suggests. The latter is more a mechanism explaining redemption, the other provides the narrative context.

All that being said, this is nice little book to give to new believers or those with questions about the gospel. Easy to read. Clear. Punchy. Points the reader to the necessity of the cross of Christ for salvation.

[Paul Jensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest, I read this book upon the request of a friend who asked for a critique. The author intentionally skips verses in his supposed "simple exegesis", and ignores errors in his framework while mentioning them all in the first chapter. He further makes sweeping statements of doctrine without using any appropriate verses (e.g., in stating that baptism is an obvious symbol). I knew a bit of what to expect from a book foreworded by DA Carson, but was hoping for more intellectual honesty and rigor.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is going on my list to read & re-read regularly. It is a clear, well-thought-out walk through the truths of the Gospel as explained by Scripture and an appropriately pointed challenge to the watered-down descriptions of the Gospel that are often espoused today.

[Traci Overbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really, really good. Sometimes I can get lost and discouraged in the endless terminologies around theology, but this was simple yet extremely helpful. I would definitely recommend.

[Greg Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have ever read apart from the Bible

[Ben Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 4 😎

Greg Gilbert’s What Is the Gospel? is a powerful and clear explanation of the core message of Christianity. With biblical depth and simplicity, Gilbert walks through four key truths—God, man, Christ, and response—showing how the whole Bible points to redemption through Jesus.

He emphasizes God’s holiness and our deep sinfulness, asking the central question: How can a righteous God be in relationship with sinners? The answer is the cross. Only through Jesus’ death and resurrection can we be saved—not by works, but by grace.

One of the most convicting quotes says:

“Genuine repentance is more fundamentally a matter of the heart’s attitude toward sin than it is a mere change of behavior.”

This book also warns against false gospels that leave out Jesus’ work on the cross. If the gospel preached isn’t centered on Christ’s sacrifice for sin, it’s not the true gospel at all. Sadly, many churches today miss this.

What Is the Gospel? is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand and share the real, saving message of Jesus.

[Jameson Gatewood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It was sobering for me though, as I feel it had a bit more emphasis on the judgement of God and didn’t emphasize the fact that God acted out of love even from the beginning and before Jesus in creating us to worship Him but also enjoy His presence forever. Despite this, this perspective is helpful in making me sober-minded about how the Gospel is truly good news but also how crazy it sounds to non-believers. We must be secure in Jesus’ love so that our value of Him is greater than our fear of sharing the Gospel.

[Temi Agbaje · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The more you understand about it, believe it, and rely on it, the more you adore God both for you who he is and for what he has done for us in Christ."

This book convicted me in my understanding of the gospel and encouraged me to grow in it. Not just for the sake of knowledge, but for the sake of growing my love for what God has done for me through His son Jesus and for my love for Him. I also hope to grow in my love for His people, so that, with the good news, I may share it with them and they also fall in love with him! Not sure if that made sense. Simplified, in having a stronger grip on the gospel, I'm able to love God and His people!

[Darci Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

bruh, read my 4 page book review to know why this is a 5 star book. i literally have copies with me everywhere i go

[Anna Barroso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so, Greg Gilbert has been my pastor for almost three years and I have never read any of his books (sorry, Greg). So, I thought it was about time. This was a weird sort of time traveling thing to read, though. Published in 2010, he shares stories of what it was like to first have a GPS, and about his one-year-old son jumping into the pool (this was the stranger of the two to me because one of his sons is now in college, and the other is driving, both are definitely not one-year-olds anymore).


This book got four stars for me because it was really good, but not profound. However, I think it was intended to be that way. It’s meant for new believers and/or unbelievers, to concisely explain the gospel.

ps - even though Greg is my pastor, this review is entirely my own, original thoughts.

[Mary Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very clear and helpful explanation of the gospel

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contained a lot of good news!

Gilbert's book presents a clear and concise explanation of the gospel. This book is readable and anyone would benefit from being reminded of our great God.

[Annie Clapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. So simple and obviously profound. This is my second time reading it because it’s such a good refresher and so encouraging.

[Brian Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a clear and concise explanation of the gospel in just over 100 pages, as well as points out a few ideas that are _not_ the gospel, which was helpful to reflect on. Keep Jesus at the center, and know that the world won’t like our message! Now it’s just time to start going out and sharing that message in faith……

[Jonathan McNeil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to go through this as I will likely give it to someone eventually. Good book on what the gospel is and isn’t. I thought it did a particularly good job at attacking the watered down gospel. I wish it spoke more to a works-based misunderstanding, but other than that, it was a good read.

[MK Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i mean… obsessed! also need to reread - it made me revisit a lot of the truths of the gospel with fresh eyes! praise God! He is so gracious to remind me and teach me new things

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gospel Gold in Small Nuggets

What Is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert is another small book (127 pages) in the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series. Gilbert provides an outstanding explanation of the Gospel. I first encountered his gospel paradigm of God, Man, Christ, Response in J. I. Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (57-73). Over time I have come to explain it in this way: God's Position, Man's Condition; Christ's Provision, Your Conversion, and New Creation.

Gilbert's inclusion of Chapter 6, "The Kingdom," is important to the discussion and develops the idea of the New Creation aspect of gospel transformation. He thankfully avoids the reductionistic tendency to define the Kingdom of God as only the "rule or reign of God.” A definition made popular by Geroge Eldon Ladd. Gilbert presses on to a more accurate definition of "God's redemptive rule over His people" (87). Consequently, he helpfully includes not only the Ruler and His Rule but also the Ruled/Subjects whom He redeems and reigns over. But the moment you include the Ruled there is implied the Realm in which they live with the Ruler!

The significance of the Realm to the Kingdom of God is seen in the Bible from beginning to end: The Garden, The Promise Land, The Great Commission, The Local Chuch, The Coming Kingdom on Earth, and The New Creation. Or to put it more simply, Jesus taught His kingdom subjects to pray: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So to better flesh out Gilbert's definition of the Kingdom of God, I would suggest: "God's redemptive rule over His people in His place." The Redemptive or Mediatorial Kingdom of God requires at least four essential components: the Ruler, the Rule, the Ruled, and the Realm. One could add a final element: the fully consummated Reign.

I did encounter one minor surprise in light of the strong emphasis on biblical theology in the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series. In Chapter 1, "Finding the Gospel in the Bible," I expected GIlbert to begin at the beginning with Genesis 3:15. Instead, he jumps right into Romans 1–4. Obviously, this is a great place to discover the gospel paradigm: God, Man, Christ, Response. But I was anticipating him walking the reader through the Redemptive Storyline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation beginning with Genesis 3:15, which Gilbert does do later on in the book (e.g., 60). I am just noting a surprise here and not a critique.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is the many ways Gilbert includes little nuances that provide guardrails to keep the reader from going into the ditch on either side of the gospel road. These nuances are seldom found in such books, much less one as brief as this one.

Bottomline: Gilbert has written a wonderful, compact summary of the gospel that would benefit anyone: saved or unsaved, young or mature. It is gospel gold presented in small but invaluable nuggets! The gospel is to be trusted and treasured as we joyfully transfer its priceless worth on to others.

I’ve read it twice now and find it a refreshing reminder and motivator.

This book will help you better understand its worth so that your worship, evangelism, church, and doctrine (20-22) will be enriched for God's glory and the joy of all peoples! SDG!

Worked my way through the series this year:

Who Is Jesus? by Greg Gilbert
What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert

The Gospel by Ray Ortlund
Expositional Preaching by David Helm
Biblical Theology by Nick Roark & Robert Cline
Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson
Conversion by Michael Lawrence
Evangelism by Mack Stiles
Discipling by Mark Dever
Missions by Andy Johnson
Church Elders by Jeramie Rinne
Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman
Church Discipline by Jonathan Leeman
Prayer by John Onwuchekwa

The new additions are:

Deacons by Matt Smethurst
Corporate Worship by Matt Merker

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome review on the gospel.Very easy and fun!