What Is the Gospel? (Crucial Questions)

The heart of The Gospel is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross for sinners.In the latest book in The Crucial Questions Series R.C.Sproul brings great insight and clarity to one of the most important truths that fallen mankind can grapple with.Why is The Gospel so important? "The Gospel tells us how we can be saved from our sin." Gospel literally means 'Good News'.Where does the Gospel originate? "...God is the author and owner of the Gospel." It is God's Gospel and is authoritative because it comes from the Creator and Governor of all things.It is vitally important(A matter of eternal life and eternal death)that one rightly understands and embraces God's Gospel of His Son.For those who trust in a false gospel they are cursed of God,so asserts the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:6-9.One of the great controversies of 'The Reformation',spear headed by Martin Luther,was the issue-How can sinful man be justified before a Holy God? The Reformers contended for 'Sola Fide-'"...meaning that we are justified by faith alone,apart from works." Justification by Faith Alone is an essential part of The True Gospel Of God.A rejection of,or a faulty understanding of 'Sola Fide' distorts the content of The Gospel Of God.Luther in contending for Justification by Faith alone insisted that this is what is revealed in The Word Of God;and it has authority over Popes or any Church councils.Sproul echoes what Luther boldly asserted-"The Gospel's authority rest on God and God alone."That Jesus is The Only Savior,the only way to be reconciled to God is clearly revealed in The Scriptures.Jesus declared-'I am the way,the truth and the life,no man comes to the Father but by me.'John 14:6.Sproul notes that Luther believed that there will be conflict wherever the true Gospel is preached.The popular relativist view of our day dogmatically asserts-"That it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and that all roads lead to heaven."The Gospel is life changing.A denial of God's sanctifying work in those who believe can be viewed as a subtle denial of The Gospel.-"We reject any view of justification which divorces it from our sanctifying union with Christ." All believers are new creatures in Christ,the great Apostle declares in 2Corinthians 5:17.In the light of this truth I don't see how the teaching of The Carnal Christian or the Non-Lordship teaching cannot be seen as a detail of God''s sanctifying work in those who have justified through faith in God's only begotten Son The Lord Jesus Christ.The doctrine of imputation is also an essential aspect of The Gospel.Believer's sins are inputed to Christ,and his righteousness is imputed to believers.-"Without Sola Fide,you don't have the Gospel ...If you don't have imputation,you don't have sola fide." Here there is a sharp distinction between The Reformers and The Roman Catholic Church.The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the righteousness their followers have is an infused righteousness(Grace is imparted as they partake of the sacraments and they are made being made righteous in themselves)contrasted with an imputed righteousness in which God counts them righteous because they are 'In Christ'.R.C.Sproul's What Is The Gospel? is an important addition to this excellent series of books by one of the most influential voices for 'Biblical Truth' of our generation.

This is another great study by the late pastor RC Sproul. He teaches the Gospel using the document written in 1998 called 'The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration'. As usual, pastor Sproul describes clearly every point that is needed for a proper understanding of the Gospel of Jesus. He teaches with such a clarity that not many words are needed to clarify and explain what he intends. This is a short, but at the same time, sufficient teaching on the essentials of the Gospel necessary for the salvation of anyone. Great biblical truths expounded in this magnificent short book, that reminds us of pastor Sproul's lectures available at the Ligonier.org website. This is a must read, even for Christians. Great booklet!

The Power of the Gospel that infiltrates our hearts & mind so we can make a distinct difference in our daily lives

It's best to have good doctrine than no doctrine at all. I hadn't heard of this ecumenical document until I read this small book.Im a much better disciple for finding it. Thank you for providing it.

Makes you think. Not preachy. Brings the pros and cons. While pointing out that it is only the Gospel that provides what we need.

This book is a must read for anyone desiring to share the gospel with others. I also recommend it to one who is not a Christian so they will understand what it means to know God and for coming to grips with their eternal destiny.

This is a very good book, as are most of RC Sproul's books. Basically, this book elaborates upon the definition of 'the Gospel' as defined in Chicago by the Confessing Evangelicals.

"Unless you repent" is the Biblical foundational condition for the Good News, the "Gospel." Sproul lays out the doctrine of salvation with clarity and a faithful Biblical representation of what it means to have sin paid for and forgiven once for all who will reprent. Along the way he lays our a sure foundation for related Biblical teachings which answers important questions that believers need to understand. Luke 13:5 NASB "I tell you, ...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."