Hurry, because you only have until April 1st to take advantage of this sweet deal by Westminster Bookstore. Check it out. You get two gospel resources for the price of one ($14.49). Here’s a description of the two books . . .
You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions by Tim Chester
Product Description: A practical, interactive, and solidly biblical book designed to help Christians in all stages of life to find victory over sin by focusing on what God has already done in us.
It’s about heart change, not behavior change. That’s the conviction of Tim Chester as he seeks to help everyday Christians “connect the truth about God with our Monday-morning struggles.” This interactive book, laid out in workbook fashion, is for newer Christians struggling with sin and for more mature Christians who have plateaued in their faith as they seek to find victory over sin in their lives.
With a conviction that sanctification is God’s work and the journey to holiness is joyful, Chester guides readers through a “change project”-beginning with the selection of one area of life they would like to modify. Each chapter includes a question (e.g., Why would you like to change? What truths do you need to turn to?) to guide readers as they deal with a specific sin or struggle, truths from God’s word, and a reflection guide to help readers through their change project.
What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert
Product Description: This newest addition to the IX Marks 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.
Timmy,
In Greg Gilberts book, does he at all talk about the Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration aspect of the gospel? Or does he reject that altogether?
Matt,
I have not read his book, so I cannot answer your question whether he *rejects* defining the gospel on a redemptive-historical model. However, he does build his book outline on the God-man/sin-Christ-response model.
Knowing where IX Marks/Dever are, I would not be surprised if the creation-fall-redemption-restoration is not used because of their polemic against the “largeness” of the gospel (i.e., larger than personal salvation).
Timmy,
I would really like to see Keller, or anyone, write a good, full argument for the gospel being both “personal” and “redemptive-historical.”
Thanks for the tip, Tim. Got my books via UPS today.