The Unfolding Gospel: How the Good News Makes Sense of Discipleship, Church, Mission, and Everything Else

by John P. Bowen, David Fitch (Foreword)

Many congregations and their leaders are discouraged about the future of the church. John Bowen's conviction is that the solution is to be found not in new programs or strategies but in a recovery of theological vision--that of Jesus and his gospel, which transforms every aspect of life. This vision restores hope in the only way realistically possible._ Words like mission , discipleship , church , evangelism , renewal , and church planting are used like billiard balls--all rolling around a single table, unconnected and bouncing randomly off one another. This book pulls these ideas together into a coherent and organic whole. The gospel is the hermeneutical key for understanding each of these topics and what draws them together. Thus, chapter 1 is an exposition of the gospel (God's determination to make all things new through Jesus Christ). Chapter 2 discusses discipleship (we only understand discipleship in light of the gospel), and chapter 3 covers church (we only understand church if we understand discipleship). Chapter 4 considers culture as the arena in which the gospel is lived and talked about, and chapter 5 builds on that with a discussion of translation, not only as a missional necessity but as a ministry which itself incarnates the nature of the gospel. The remaining chapters (on evangelism, the future of "inherited churches," church planting, and leadership) demonstrate how the gospel is the integration point for all._ The author's hope is that church leaders--evangelical and mainline, young and old, emerging and traditional, present and future--will have a transformative "Aha!" moment as this gospel hypothesis unfolds._

212 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2021

Reviews

[Karl Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unfolding Gospel is a very good book. The first 7 chapters that focused on the core of discipleship were excellent and introduced (at least to me) some Biblical concepts in a unique and interesting way. Almost every chapter brought you to think about something in a new way. I found chapters 8-10 which focused more on "the church" and leadership to be good - nothing wrong with them - but nothing that really grabbed me. The concepts presented were Biblical, well thought out, illustrated well with stories and personal examples. It would be a god book to read for Christian leaders (full-time or lay people). All that said, I thought The Unfolding Gospel was a good book and I really appreciated the first 7 chapters.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as it has helped me discover the possibilities as we search for a new priest. I really like that he is visioning what the role of the parish will be like in the future in a positive way.

[Patrick Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though this book had some good bits they were few and far between. The author often wades out of his area of expertise, and shows that he is way out of his depth. I also got the impression that he was a bit out of touch with the realities of modern church.