Matthew W. Bates - Gospel Allegiance: What Faith in Jesus Misses for Salvation in Christ

Let me express my gratitude.

Teresa Gorrell and Jonathan Miles gave extensive feedback as I finished each chapter, frequently reading several drafts. I am extraordinarily grateful.

Several people gave comments on a draft or a portion of it: Rod Bakker (a very good shepherd who has now retired), Aubrey Brady, Matthew Brady, Andrew Cashman, Daniel Strudwick, Joshua Jipp, Josiah Prenger, and Chuck Sackett. Chuck is another excellent shepherd. He gets a special shout-out for vetting my conversation-guide questions. Many thanks.

Sarah Bates, my amazing wife, helped me to process and commented on every chapterand managed to do this while taking care of me and our seven children. To apply the word saintly is not hyperbole. For keeping me young and making me old simultaneously, I commend Tad, Zeke, Addie, Lydia, Evie, Anna, and Nate.

I am grateful to Renew.org, especially its director, Bobby Harrington. We share a common urgency to foster allegiant discipleship to Jesus the king. Not only did Bobby read for me and offer tremendous personal encouragement, he also orchestrated a partnership with Renew.org. His pastoral vision is helping the allegiance message reach a wider audience.

I want to thank Brazos Press for publishing Gospel Allegiance . A second book will follow, God willing. Specific individuals at Brazos deserve high praise. Bryan Dyer acquired this project. Bryan helped me to trim, reshape, and find consistency. Fantastic work. Im grateful to Jeremy Wells, Mason Slater, Kara Day, and Shelley MacNaughton for their prowess in marketing and publicity. Eric Salo and his team were outstanding in production. Paula Gibson and her designers gave this book its striking public face.

This book is dedicated to Jonathan Miles (professor of philosophy) and Daniel Strudwick (professor of theology)my closest colleagues at Quincy University. Permit me to offer a personal word: It is a delight to work alongside you. But that is not why I am dedicating this book to you. I see how you live each day. And the quality of your lives encourages me, in your own unique and quite different ways, to greater allegiance to King Jesus. More than you know.

Finally, I am grateful to any and every reader. Thanks for caring enough about the gospel to engage with this book. Would you be willing to help further? Please mention Gospel Allegiance on social media, on blogs, or in conversation. Rate or review it for others. Such things are incredibly important for spreading the word and creating energy in todays publishing world. Dont be shy about dropping me a note to let me know about reviews you post, how you are using it in your church, or discussions you are having. I am on social media. Or you can find my email address easily enough. Thanks.

May allegiance to Jesus the king increase!

Soli Deo gloria.