Carson D. A. - What Is the Gospel? (Foreword by D. A. Carson)

Greg Gilbert is one of the brightest and most faithful young men called to serve the church today. Here he offers us a penetrating, faithful, and fully biblical understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no greater need than to know the true gospel, to recognize the counterfeits, and to set loose a generation of gospel-centered Christians. This very important book arrives at just the right moment.

R. ALBERT MOHLER JR., President,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Two realities make this a critically important book: the centrality of the gospel in all generations and the confusion about the gospel in our own generation. What Is the Gospel? provides a biblically faithful explanation of the gospel and equips Christians to discern deviations from that glorious message. How I wish I could place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member.

C. J. MAHANEY, Sovereign Grace Ministries

Greg Gilbert contends that the current evangelical understanding of the gospel is lost in a fog of confusion. He burns away that fog by shining fresh light on an old subject. Gilbert writes in a clear, concise, and colloquial style that will especially appeal to young adults. What Is the Gospel? will sharpen your thinking about the gospel, etching it more deeply on your heart so you can share the good news of Jesus Christ with boldness. It will leave you pondering the extent to which the gospel has impacted your own life. It will cause you to cry out with thankfulness to God for what Christ has accomplished.

JAMES MACDONALD, Senior Pastor,
Harvest Bible Chapel, Chicago vicinity

A wonderful telling of the old, old story in fresh wordsand with sound warnings against subtle misrepresentations. As the old gospel song attests, and as is true of Greg Gilberts fine book, those who know the old, old story best will find themselves hungering and thirsting to hear this story like the rest.

BRYAN CHAPELL, President,
Covenant Theological Seminary

Greg Gilbert is someone I have had the honor and privilege of teaching and who is now teaching me. This little book on the gospel is one of the clearest and most important books Ive read in recent years.

MARK DEVER, Senior Pastor,
Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington DC

For good reason, Christians love the word gospel. Tragically, however, multitudes of Christians fail to grasp what the gospel fully is. In doctrinally sound and down-to-earth ways, my good friend Greg Gilbert shows just how important it is to understand both the theological nature and the functional necessity of the gospel. We can only hope and pray that this is the first of many books from Greg.

TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN, Senior Pastor,
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What is the gospel? This short but powerful book answers that question with a clear and concise presentation. It is a superb treatment of the good news. Read it and then pass it on.

DANIEL L. AKIN, President,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Greg Gilbert, with a sharp mind and a pastors heart, has written a book that will be helpful for seekers, new Christians, and anyone who wants to understand the gospel with greater clarity. Ive been waiting for a book like this! As a sure-footed guide to a surprisingly controversial subject, it clears up misconceptions about the gospel, the kingdom, and the meaning of the cross.

KEVIN DEYOUNG, Senior Pastor,
University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan

What Is the Gospel? demonstrates in a sensitive and intriguing way that the gospel is indescribably profound as well as eminently describableclear enough for anyone to comprehend.

PAIGE PATTERSON, President,
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Greg Gilbert has called the church back to the source of her revelation. In a simple and straightforward manner, he has laid bare what the Bible has shown the gospel to mean.

ARCHBISHOP PETER J. AKINOLA,
Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion

There is no greater challenge in an age of doubt and pragmatism than making the glorious gospel clear. This is the greatest need for the seasoned Christian and skeptic alike. In this thoughtful but accessible work, Greg Gilbert clearly answers the most important question ever asked.

DARRIN PATRICK, Vice President,
The Acts29 Church Planting Network

Greg Gilbert cuts through the confusion by searching Scripture to answer the most important question anyone can ask. Even if you think you know the good news of what God has done in Christ, Gilbert will sharpen your focus on this glorious gospel.

COLLIN HANSEN, Christianity Today editor at large

This book will help you better understand, treasure, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. And if you think you know enough about the gospel already, you might need it more than you think.

JOSHUA HARRIS, Senior Pastor,
Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Amidst a contemporary Christian culture characterized by rampant confusion regarding the central tenets of our faith, Greg Gilbert has given us a portrait of the gospel that is clear for those who have believed and compelling for those who have yet to believe. Word-saturated, cross-centered, and God-exalting, What Is the Gospel? will capture your minds attention and ignite your hearts affection for the God who saves us by his grace through his gospel for his glory.

DAVID PLATT, Senior Pastor,
The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama

Clarity on the gospel brings both confidence in the gospel and conviction concerning core gospel truths. This excellent book is wonderfully clear and biblically faithful, and will repay reading with renewed gospel focus.

WILLIAM TAYLOR, Rector,
St. Helen Bishopsgate, London

When I think of the centerpiece of my Bible, my heart immediately embraces the gospel. I know many people who love the gospel, but Im always open to loving it more and understanding it better. Greg Gilbert has written this book to help us to know and love the gospel more.

JOHNNY HUNT, President,
the Southern Baptist Convention,
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, Georgia

What makes this book profound is its simplicity. Perhaps the greatest danger in Christianity is making assumptions about what the gospel is without hearing the Bibles clear and definitive voice. It is not an overstatement to say this may be the most important book youll read about the Christian faith.

RICK HOLLAND, Executive Pastor,
Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California

What Is the Gospel?

Copyright 2010 by Gregory D. Gilbert

Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Dual Identity Design
Interior typesetting: Lakeside Design Plus
First printing 2010
Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Biblica.