Christian Book Notes

Bock, Darrell L.  Recovering the Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming the Gospel as Good News.  Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2010.  152 pp.  $16.99. Purchase at Westminster for much less.

Introduction

Darrell L. Bock is research professor New Testament Studies as well as professor of Spiritual Development and Culture at Dallas Theological Seminary.  He has written numerous books, some of which made the New York Times Best-Sellers list and has contributed to a number of commentary series.  In this book, Dr. Bock seeks to set the record straight regarding the truth of the lost gospel message.

Summary

Divided into seven chapters, Dr. Darrell Bock takes an in depth look at the message of the Gospel that revolutionized the world.  Chapter one discusses the promise where the Gospel begins while chapter two looks at the Gospel as both a meal (Lord’s Supper) and a washing (baptism).  The third chapter, in my estimation the central chapter, discusses the centrality of the cross.

The final chapters offer conversation on how the Gospel is a gift of grace and how it is affirmed in divine action and scripture.  More importantly, chapter six details the key to accepting this free gift of grace while the last chapter offers the greater impact of the power of the cross unto salvation and what that means for our relationship with God as well as other people.

Review

I found this book to be a great read and one that while going in depth and talking about doctrines like love and atonement, it is highly accessible to the “everyday Christian.”  This is key as there has been much published in academia that fights for a recovery of the gospel but so few of those doctrinally sound and exegetically correct resources ever filter down to the common man.  Darrell Bock has accomplished just that in his writing of this resource.  By the time you finish this book, you will be well educated on the impact of the gospel in your life as well as how it should impact the lives of others through you.  Perhaps more importantly, you will find that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of love (and yes, judgment) that is then poured out onto others.  That kind of love is often times missing from the local church.

Recommendation

If you are a believer, then you need read this book.  Chances are, you have not fully understood the gospel (that is not to say you are not a believer!).  Dr. Bock’s work will instruct in a straight forward, and biblically-based manner of how the gospel of Jesus Christ is so radical–even more than just a one-time acceptance or message.  It is life altering and others will see it.