The Gospel For Real Life

Title: The Gospel For Real Life
Author: Jerry Bridges
Publisher: NavPress, 2003
Pages: 172
Begun: March 17, 2009
Completed: August 13, 2009

Bridges' primary objectives in this work is to dispel erroneous views of the gospel and to articulate what is the pure gospel. The widely held, but erroneous, understanding of the gospel is what Bridges' calls, "a truncated view of the gospel." This is the view that the gospel is "a door we walk through to become a Christian." In other words, this view says, "the gospel is only for unbelievers." Another unbiblical view of the gospel sees the gospel as what it can do for me. It is the "fire insurance" that protects me from eternal flames and promises me joy in this world. Bridges dubs this the "utilitarian view" of the gospel. Bridges sums up these views:

"We fail to see the gospel as the solution to our greatest problem--our guilt, condemnation, and alientation from God. Beyond that, we fail to see it as the basis of our day-to-day acceptance with Him." (15)

In the following chapters, Bridges presents the gospel in its glory as expounded in the Scriptures: man's totally depraved nature, the curse of sin, God's unmitigated wrath against sin and sinners, the cross, redemption, Christ, reconciliation, adoption, propitiation, sanctification, and glorification. Without plummeting too deep in theological turf, Bridges strikes a fine balance of communicating the essence of theological truth.

The gospel is, then, the power of God to salvation. The gospel is not about man. It's not just a good alternative or the best option out there of many choices. The gospel is about God and His glory. I appreciate this following statement for its biblical focus:

"This Godward focus of Christ's atoning work tells us that it is the integrity of God's moral government and the upholding of His honor and glory that is the primary issue in our salvation. It is true that it is the love of God for sinful people such as you and men that is the wellspring of our salvation, but it is also true that his love could only be shown in such a way that the glory of His holiness and the honor of His Law would be magnified." (89)

An excellent read and a great book to use for Bible studies.