This is a short book written by Anglican priest and theologian, John Stott.  The book gets to the point quickly and is written clearly.  I especially liked the first half of the book in talking about the human need for the gospel and then Christ on the cross.  The second half of the book wasn't very helpful, and at times even felt contradictory to the first part of the book.

Tim Chester, presents an updated edition of John Stott's classic work, entitled "The Contemporary Christian" published in 1992. Dr. Chester, has published this book in 5 volumes that take the reader to know this magnificent classic in a more fluent and current language.
The five volumes are:

The Gospel: A Life-Changing Message
The Disciple: A Calling to be Christlike
The Bible: A Book Like No Other
The Church: A Unique Gathering of People
The World: A Mission to be Accomplished
In this first volume, the author addresses the foundations of the Christian life, starting from the human paradox which consists in showing the glory of the human being as God's creation but also our ruin and vileness. There are five chapters where very central truths are affirmed in the Christian life, such as the resurrection of Christ and His Lordship.

Do not think that this is a book full of extravagant theological terms, although it is theologically sound, its focus is to show these issues in a simple and accessible way for every reader.

This series will be of great help to Christians who have little time in their faith, as well as those who already have many years as believers will be strengthened.

This is an update of John Stott's classic book The Contemporary Christian. Written some 25 years ago the advice and teaching here is still relevant for today. It is great and right that it should have a new lease of life in being republished for a new generation to learn from.

Another excellent book from John Stott. He clearly and concisely lays out the gospel, with grace and truth. I love Stott and his books, and this is another amazing book. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review.

This is an updated version of a John Stott Classic, The Contemporary Christian. Stott is a prolific, well known and well- regarded Bible Study teacher and author of many readable and accessible commentaries on books of the bible and various topics. . I have not read the original work so I cannot speak to any updates but Tim Chester ha added some wonderful discussion questions at the end of each of the chapters. This is a slim volume coming in at 112 pages. I compared the toc to the original and It looks like IVP may have broken this classic work out into separate volumes and this one is Part I of the original. The focus is simply on the Gospel and what that means in the present day. The authors speak at length about freedom as it related to the Gospel both the “freedom from” and “freedom to” that we experience as well as the impact of the cross and the resurrection and why it is good news.

The Gospel
by John Stott


InterVarsity Press

IVP Books

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 27 Aug 2019


I am reviewing a copy of The Gospel through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:



In this book we are reminded that Christianity is not a religion, let alone one religion among many. Christianity is in fact God’s good news for the world.


What does it mean to be human? This question is posed twice in the Old Testament In Psalm 8:3-4 and Job 7:17 on both occasions the writer expresses surprise that the Lord would pay so much attention to us as human beings.



How can Christians effectively engage in today’s world while still remaining true to God’s Word? We are being called to listen to both the Word and the world.


In The Gospel, John Stott shows how Christianity can preserve its authentic identity while remaining relevant to current realities.



I give The Gospel five out of five stars.


Happy Reading!
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