Five Views on the Gospel

By: Michael Horton, Scot McKnight, David A. deSilva, Julie C Ma, Shively T.J Smith, Michael F. Bird - editor, Jason Maston - editor

Narrated by: Deanna Anthony

Five Views on the Gospel presents five different perspectives on the question "What is the gospel?" Presenting a variety of contemporary and tradition-based perspectives, each contributor answers key questions about the nature of the gospel. Questions contributors address include:

• What is the gospel?
• What is the context for understanding the New Testament teaching about the gospel?
• What are the primary biblical texts that you believe express the gospel and how do you understand them?
• What are people called to do with the gospel and what are the benefits promised by the gospel?
• How can the definition and proclamation of the gospel be contextualized and made relevant today?
• What example of an inadequate gospel and a false gospel can you offer?
• What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel?

The CounterPoints format provides a unique opportunity for each contributor to set forth their own understanding of the gospel, to interact with competing perspectives, and for the editors to sum up points of agreement and disagreement and a path forward in the debate.

• Positions and Contributors include:
• Reformation Gospel (Michael Horton)
• King Jesus Gospel (Scot McKnight)
• Wesleyan Gospel (David A. deSilva)
• Asian Pentecostal Gospel (Julie C. Ma)
• Liberation Theology Gospel (Shively T. J. Smith)

The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Further reading can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Good, but lacking

The contributors all did well with the assignment given (particularly David DeSilva). But having both Wesleyan AND Pentecostal contributors while NOT having either an Eastern Orthodox or Catholic view makes this a volume of VERY limited use to the worldwide Body of Christ.

The narration also contained some mispronunciations/misreadings that an audio editor should have caught.

4 Views Personal Scholarly

4 Views gives overview of 4 specific approaches to the gospel. There are many layers that each describe.
My recommendation is to read the CONCLUSION first.
marston gives a helpful and insightful summary.
I found myself looking forward to hearing the response from select perspectives. How will Horton view that, or de Silva, or McKnight. a few times surprised by the response.
Liberation Perspective is the one I was least familiar with. And though I found the writer genuine and authentic the substance of what the gospel is from Scripture left me wanting. Yet each response except for McKnight made that same observation. Surprisingly, I did not hear the word Marxism or Socialism in any of the critiques on Liberation Theology. de Silva rightly aligns with the marginalized and oppressed but does not neglect Christ saving work and the Spirit's role in the life of the Christian and Church Body.
The reader did a great job, but I have difficulty listening to female voices on certain subjects. it's hard to hear Horton's voice as an example when stated in a feminine voice. She read well but it's my bias.