Reclaiming the Gospel

By R. Wayne Hagerman and ChristianWeek | March 23, 2011

Darrell Bock takes exception with a gospel that is subverted or reduced to mean something simple or simplistic both in nature and scope. His reason for composing this book is: â€œThe danger in seeing or preaching the gospel only as a transaction is that once the 'deal' is done, the believer may have the sense that he or she has checked the box and is done with the gospel having procured the salvation and avoided hell."

This book reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship in its tone, appeal, and content. It is his contention that when the gospel is reduced to an â€œeasy believe-ism" and a simple rescue from hell, God's plan to restore relationship with complex and lost human beings, the true good news of the gospel – what Bonhoeffer famously called â€œcostly grace" – goes missing.

Bock firmly believes that â€œif the church is in a fog on the gospel, then the church very much risks losing its reason for being." The clear purpose for writing this book then is to take a close look at the gospel found in the New Testament, its key features and key attributes.

Bock also believes that the way we present the message is as important as what we say. He outlines the core elements of the gospel which form the basis for each chapter: The Lord's table and baptism, the cross, Pentecost, God working uniquely and inseparably through Jesus, invoking the name of Jesus, and reconciliation and the power of God unto salvation.

Each chapter is accompanied with a serious but helpful series of questions, ending with one that is very personal: â€œWhat difference does this theme make for me personally?" This helps to make the book especially interactive.

This is not a large, exhaustive volume, but at the same time, it is a welcome reminder for the Church regarding God's complete and complex intention for sending Christ to begin with. This is an important read for every pastor.