The Gospel and the Modern World: A Theological Vision for the Church

by D.A. Carson, Brian J. Tabb (Editor)

Thirty-Three Collected Essays from D. A. Carson Biblical scholar D. A. Carson has contributed a tremendous amount to the field of evangelical thought, serving as cofounder of the Gospel Coalition, editor of the theological journal  Themelios , and, beginning in 2022, as president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Reflecting on his esteemed career, Carson’s colleagues have gathered some of his best work in this warm, enriching collection. The Gospel and the Modern World  features 34 of Carson’s essays from  Themelios  on a wide range of topics, including his vision for the evangelical church, the authoritative word of God, Christ and culture, and Christian discipleship. It also includes articles from editor Brian J. Tabb, Andrew David Naselli, and Collin Hansen. Celebrating an illustrious, Christ-exalting career, this collection imparts years of experience and Christian scholarship to a new generation of readers.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Essays

352 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Especially notable for Naselli’s essay on Carson’s theological method, Hansen’s essay on the founding of TGC, and Carson’s essay on a theology of Christian education.

[Doug Van Meter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don Carson is a gift to God’s church, and Crossway's book deciminates this gift well.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

[Andrew McCartney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of articles by DA from the Gospel Coalition Themelios journal. A good starting point for understanding the purpose of the church in today’s context. A special treat is the first part of chapter 1 and then chapter 2 that gives insight into who DA is as a person and a theologian. Not always an easy read, but I have found myself coming back again and again to certain chapters, as each can stand alone.

[Alex McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t just come to Reformed Theology through the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement- I came to faith within it. The only church I've ever known has celebrated catholicity and the historic, orthodox Reformed doctrines. Voices like D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, and John Piper helped shape this new way of doing church in the post-Christian West, and this collection of essays by D.A. Carson is a celebration of that entire movement.

Being a fan of both essays and Carson's broader corpus, I found this book incredibly enjoyable. But more than that, I believe it will find wide use in pastoral circles. It is deeply pastoral at its core, theologically rich, and packed with practical advice on engaging modern Western culture. One of the most rewarding aspects of the work is how ecumenical it is. Carson, through his ministry, touches almost every part of the church as an institution- local churches, academic institutions, para-church ministries, and think tanks like The Gospel Coalition.

The book is divided into six sections of grouped essays. The first section focuses on Carson himself, exploring his unique approach to theology and ministry. It’s the only section that includes essays from other scholars, offering a brief biography of Carson and an analysis of what sets his theological method apart.

The second section focuses on the Gospel, addressing themes such as true gospel conversion and the tendency to conflate the Gospel with its positive effects.

The third section is perhaps the most academic, dealing with issues related to Biblical Theology. Two essays that stood out to me personally were "Kingdom Ethics," which examines how our ethics should be both institutional and individual, and "A Biblical Theology of Education," which looks at education through the lens of Biblical Theology.

The fourth section is about how the church should engage with contemporary culture. Several essays here address the intolerance of modern “tolerance” movements, particularly in the LGBTQ+ space. In "Words and Deeds," Carson provides practical advice on how ministers can promote acts of mercy within local congregations, while in "Polemical Theology," he offers guidance on how to practice winsome polemics.

The fifth section focuses on leadership issues within the church. This part leans more towards Carson’s Baptist roots but remains in line with the ecumenical spirit of the book. One essay on the shortcomings of the YRR movement and warnings for genuine revival was especially engaging.

Finally, the sixth section covers discipleship, tackling topics such as excommunication and how to handle disputable matters within the church.

Overall, the book is long but incredibly helpful. The essays are well anthologized and categorized into easily referenced chapters. While it deserves to be read as one cohesive volume, it will also serve as a valuable reference tool for pastors and ministry students for years to come.

The work is accessible- one of the hallmarks of Carson’s writing style. However, it might not appeal as much to a lay audience, given its pastoral focus.

Crossway and TGC have produced an attractive book with an easy to read typeface, ample margins, and thick paper well suited for note taking. The inclusion of a few blank pages at the back for additional notes is a nice touch. The two non-Carson essays add meaningful content to the volume, and I appreciated their inclusion.

All in all, a great read. I plan to reference it often.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other collections of Carson's papers, this is super valuable. I appreciate his writing on topics I may not gravitate to - his writing informs me and helps me engage with ideas I would otherwise skip. Secondly, Carson gives such pastorally helpful counsel on issues I really want to know about but wouldn't have considered him as the one to answer that particular question. He really is a scholar/pastor of the first rate.

[John Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson is always worth reading, but what I really loved about this book is... for whatever reason I don't have the patience to read most long-form articles, but if you put them in a book and I'm committed to reading that book, no problem! So I got to read a bunch of Carson I otherwise would not have read, and it was very good stuff.

[Jordan Shirkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid collection of Carson’s articles from Themelios that explore how the gospel relates to the modern world. As always, Carson is clear, wise, and careful—especially on topics where others often go off the rails. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in the big theological questions facing the church today.

[Nate Cure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview and introduction to the wide ranging area in Which Carson wrote. This can be read as a guide to which Carson books to read first, and as an appreciation for how much of current Reformed Evangelicalism owes to Carson.

I regularly found myself saying "that's familiar", but I had heard from a source 10-25 years younger than when Carson had written on it.

[Tim Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mix of works of D.A. Carson. I have learned and grown a lot from his works, so this was a rich work to read for me personally. A good mix of different topics of theology and Christian life.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful quote from the final section of the book:

“Each strand of sorrow has a place Within this tapestry of grace.
So through the trials I choose to say,
‘Your perfect will in your perfect way"