The Gospel

This book is about stating gospel, especially in the Bible. After surveying historical statements of gospel within their respective soteriology, biblical contexts are explored that identify either: 1) as gospel; 2) promise forgiveness; 3) promise everlasting life; 4) promise kingdom; or 5) promise resurrection with Christ. These five statements indicate the outcomes that are normally associated with the gospel across Christendom. This framework provides legitimate biblical gospel statements within exclusive salvation in Christ. This volume presents and appropriates biblical gospel patterns as a new reformation for fullness of salvation in Christ and His earthly kingdom. This variety of biblical gospel statements provoke: 1) unity around Jesus Christ and God's gracious salvation; 2) toleration concerning rival statements of Christian gospel; and 3) jettisoning unsupported traditional frameworks. For example, ticket Christianity with little or no life change except past faith and an experience prepare Jesus Christ to say to a major section of the church, Depart from Me, I never knew you! Better to hear the eschatological Christ say, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . . because to the extent that you did to these brothers of Mine, even the least, you did to Me.There is a lot of talk about what is the gospel and who is 'in' and who is 'out' because of their definition. Douglas Kennard has done an admirable job of discussing book by book what the New Testament identifies as 'good news' or 'salvation' and portraying it against a Jewish backdrop. He has had to be selective, but does succeed in this biblical theology in showing both the unity and diversity in the biblical good news.--Peter H. Davids, Visiting Professor of Bible and Applied Theology, Houston Graduate School of TheologyDouglas W. Kennard Professor of New Testament and Theology at Houston Graduate School of Theology. He is author of Epistemology and Logic in the New Testament (2016), Biblical Covenantalism (2015), A Critical Realist's Theological Method (2013), Messiah Jesus: Christology in His Day and Ours (2008), The Relationship Between Epistemology, Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology and Contextualization (1999), The Classical Christian God (2002), and with Marv Pate, Deliverance Now and Not Yet (2003, 2005).