Five Views on the Gospel
- Theology
- Publisher: Zondervan Academic (Zondervan)
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
Five Views on the Gospel presents five different perspectives on the question "What is the gospel?" Presenting a variety of contemporary and tradition-based perspectives, each contributor answers key questions about the nature of the gospel. Questions contributors address include: What is the gospel? What is the context for understanding the New Testament teaching about the gospel? What are the primary biblical texts that you believe express the gospel and how do you understand them? What are people called to do with the gospel and what are the benefits promised by the gospel? How can the definition and proclamation of the gospel be contextualized and made relevant today? What example of an inadequate gospel and a false gospel can you offer? What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel? The CounterPoints format provides a unique opportunity for each contributor to set forth their own understanding of the gospel, to interact with competing perspectives, and for the editors to sum up points of agreement and disagreement and a path forward in the debate. Positions and Contributors include: The Reformation Gospel (Michael Horton) The King Jesus Gospel (Scot McKnight) The Wesleyan Gospel (David A. deSilva) The Pentecostal Gospel (Julie C. Ma) A Liberation Theology Gospel (Shively T. J. Smith) The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.
Endorsements (9)
“This book models charitable dialogue while also exposing key differences among approaches. Its contributors reflect not only theological but also contextual and disciplinary diversity. I learned not only about the diverse frameworks but also more about Calvin, Wesley, and other historical theology. I found myself agreeing with much in each essay and hoping that such dialogue can help us synthesize the best insights of each, while keeping Jesus’s identity and work at the center.”
“Gospel” is perhaps the most important word and concept in the Bible, but it nonetheless runs the risk of becoming a buzzword that is overused and underdefined. Five Views on the Gospel avoids this risk by bringing several scholars into conversation to discuss in detail what they believe the gospel is–and isn’t. This book is warmly recommended for pastors, students, and scholars alike as they seek to better understand and explain the biblical gospel.”
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). What exactly is the “gospel”? “Gospel” is a term meaning “good news” in the original Greek. What exactly is the “good news” preached by Jesus and his apostles? If you were asked this question, how would you define “gospel”? The answer is not necessarily a simple one. For the New Testament authors often seem to define “gospel” somewhat differently. It should not surprise us, therefore, to observe differences in how five scholars in this volume present and defend defend their understanding of it. This volume is a wonderful contribution to the discussion and will be a valuable resource, not only for theologians and pastors but also for those of us who want to see lives powerfully transformed by the “gospel.”
“and its effects.”
“This valuable resource brings together five articulations of the gospel, each with different yet mostly complementary framings and emphases. It challenges us to pay attention to aspects of the gospel that are found in Scripture but may not have as prominent a place in our own formulations and traditions.”
“Drs. Bird and Maston have assembled a learned group of scholars with different definitions of the gospel to offer readers a clear, informed, and provocative dialogue about the gospel. The result is an accessible conversation about the most important question in the world: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? As readers from different theological theological traditions turn each page, they might be moved to shout, “Amen!” while others might be provoked to declare, “Oh my!” Yet they will likewise walk away from this book, longing to know more about the gospel and about the Christ whom it announces as good news for Jews, for gentiles, and for the cosmos as they seek the most faithful way to preach and teach it to anyone with ears to hear.”
“At first, the five contributors of this volume seem like strange bedfellows. Then, the editors invite us to sample their offerings over conversations. Engaging with biblical evidence and with each other, each contributor demonstrates how sin, salvation, the centrality of Christ, and discipleship are enacted within their tradition. A gospel feast for thought.”
“gospel-centered” ministries were listed in one spot, I suppose Microsoft Excel itself couldn’t contain the list. Yet, to the surprise of some, there are different schools of thought on how to briefly describe what precisely the gospel is. The benefit of putting this discussion in a five-views book is that one can see interactions among the diverse outlooks. Readers may enter this book not knowing these discussions are occurring, or they might arrive leaning toward one perspective. Either way, after reading the book, they will have a better understanding of the starting points, why there are differences, and the main areas of emphasis. Possibly something we can all learn from this book is that the gospel is as deep and rich as it is simple and straightforward. Because the gospel is central to what Jesus and the apostles preached, this discussion is worth having, and this book does an admirable job of overviewing some of the different perspectives.”
“This book is a theological treasure, offering deep, well-articulated perspectives on the gospel from a diverse range of voices. Each author presents a compelling and thoughtful argument, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a richer understanding of the gospel’s depth and breadth. As someone rooted in the Wesleyan tradition, I appreciated seeing my perspective well represented by Dr. deSilva, while also being challenged and enriched by views beyond my own. Five Views of the Gospel is a gift to the church, exemplifying how Christians can engage in meaningful, charitable dialogue even amid theological differences.”
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