Richard Stearns; The Hole in Our Gospel & Unfinished

[ThePenguin]

There is a hole in "A Hole in Our Gospel".

[MelAnne]

I also attended a Women of Faith conference recently. This book was given as a free gift along with a tote bag as their "thanks" for sponsoring a child. To my knowledge, they weren't selling the books separately, although I could be wrong. I got two of them because I sponsored two kids . . . but I really didn't want them. I tried telling them to just keep the bags and books and give them to someone else, but they insisted, saying I could give them as gifts. I'm with the previous posters who said the "hole in our gospel" bit totally put a bad taste in my mouth. What hole in our gospel? That was my first thought when I first heard about the book. I haven't even cracked one of my copies open, because I seriously just have no desire to read them. I've got so many other books I'm trying to slog my way through right now, and with two toddlers underfoot, I rarely get the chance to sit and read even a chapter of something I want to read. I honestly doubt I'll get around to this one any time soon, but if I do, I'll try to remember to post on here about my impressions on it.

[eternal]

Ran across this review thanks to Eric Barger filling in For Jan at Olivetree ministries. The guest (pastor Paul Van Noy) provided his take on the book.

link
http://www.candlelightfellowship.org...nOurGospel.htm

The Hole in our Gospel

By Richard Stearns

A book critique by Pastor Paul D. Van Noy

“The Hole in our Gospel,” by Richard Stearns, the recent Christian Book of the Year and apparently headed to be a New York Times best seller, is the newest danger to come against true Believers in the Church Age. It promotes a false gospel within a socialistic philosophy. It fails miserably in its hermeneutic, is ecumenical in focus, promotes human performance as a method of pleasing God, and believes people on earth can do good to “usher in the Kingdom.”

Richard Stearns writes from a “Kingdom Dominion” perspective and embraces an Amillennial or Postmillennial eschatology. He has embraced a social gospel and mingles “grace through faith” with “grace plus work,” which dangerously dilutes the power of God’s redeeming Grace. In his words, “This gospel - the whole gospel – means much more than the personal salvation of individuals. It means a social revolution.” (Pg 20, Emphasis original)

More at link.....

[fl2007rn]

'Hole in the Gospel' did it for me.

No thanks

The Gospel is PERFECT - There is no hole in it.

[Kenyon]

My sister in law e-mailed me asking about this book written by the head of World Vision. It seems the pastor of a church she is looking into is extolling the virtues of this particular book they are currently incorporating into their studies.

Does anyone have any input into the good/bad/ or ugly of it ? I did a little Google but didn't come up with much.

Reply: Our church just did a multi-week emphasis on this book along with our weekly bible study group studying along side the sunday morning lessons. The book is scripturally sound...nothing apostate here. In a nutshell, the book challenges the body of christ within the church to get out of the pews and be Jesus to the poor, widowed, orphans, etc. It goes on to emphasize the question, How can we call ourselves followers of Christ if we just sit and refuse to do nothing. Where then is our Love? If Christ is in us, we will show it not just by what we say, but by what we live and do to those around us. The author states that the church has become too comfortable existing within its own 4 walls and forgetting Jesus' instructions to go out and minister the gospel to those around us...again, our faith should be evident in action, not merely words. Therefore the tltle: "Hole in the Gospel". The hole being the part of scripture (ie: helping those around us) that we as the body of christ all to often leave ignored in our walk.
I never did like the title of the book. I argued that it sounded as though the gospel had a hole and our holy, infallable Word of Christ was not perfect. But, apart from a poor choice of title, the contents are on the money, scripturally speaking and a good challenge to any one serious about opening their eyes to the needy around them. The slant of the book is that the "hole" is in OUR gospel (how we live our christian faith many times), not a hole in THE gospel of the Bible which is perfect in all ways.
Hope this helps?
Kenyon.

[HeIsEnough]

In a nutshell, the book challenges the body of christ within the church to get out of the pews and be Jesus to the poor, widowed, orphans, etc.

Thats great religion and all, but its not the gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

This scripture alone points you to a definition that is nothing like what you've described.

It goes on to emphasize the question, How can we call ourselves followers of Christ if we just sit and refuse to do nothing. Where then is our Love? If Christ is in us, we will show it not just by what we say, but by what we live and do to those around us.

Again, not the gospel.

The author states that the church has become too comfortable existing within its own 4 walls and forgetting Jesus' instructions to go out and minister the gospel to those around us...again, our faith should be evident in action, not merely words.

Practicing religion to orphans and widows is again, not the gospel.

Therefore the tltle: "Hole in the Gospel". The hole being the part of scripture (ie: helping those around us) that we as the body of christ all to often leave ignored in our walk.
I never did like the title of the book. I argued that it sounded as though the gospel had a hole and our holy, infallable Word of Christ was not perfect. But, apart from a poor choice of title, the contents are on the money, scripturally speaking and a good challenge to any one serious about opening their eyes to the needy around them. The slant of the book is that the "hole" is in OUR gospel (how we live our christian faith many times), not a hole in THE gospel of the Bible which is perfect in all ways.
Hope this helps?
Kenyon.

I can think of a hundred ways to do good, can keep you busy all week long doing good, can even make you feel you don't do enough good, and still its not the gospel. Might make you feel good though, to do all these good things, nothing wrong with good things, but again, its not the gospel.

I can't recall a church I've been to that did not go out of the way to help any who came their way in true need. There is a hole in that mans gospel, or your gospel, if that is its primary definition. Its a little different than helping in soup kitchens and nursing homes. It will keep you busy though. The gospel is something that is preached, its not about what we do, its something He did. We tell of what He did. Its power comes from heaven, we don't 'enable' it by doing good things. It is a power all its own, no help from us needed. Those who preach it have beautiful feet, those who hear it and believe are saved.

[lorenei]

I haven't read or heard anything about the book so I can't comment much on that (although the author's mention of Bono does seem rather weird)... but when a person is saved through Jesus Christ and does good works to glorify God (knowing that it will not add to their salvation) why is that a bad thing?

For example we have an Outreach group in my area and one of the things they do is go out on the streets on Friday and Saturday nights and help the many drunk young people get home safely, comfort them etc. and talk to them about Christ and the gospel.

Another part of the outreach group does street preaching but also buys food for the local homeless people and prays with them. One such homeless man was given a Bible and he's been reading it with great interest... but you know that relationship had to be built there first because most homeless people have had very tough lives and aren't usually very trustful of others.

When Christ was here He helped many people and it transformed their lives, lives of their communities and our lives when we read about those things and see His love, kindness and mercy. Of course Christ dying on the cross and paying for our sins with His own blood and therefore giving us salvation is the most important thing, nobody is denying that, but why does doing good things for God's glory along with sharing the gospel get such bad rep?

There are certainly cults who believe in works based salvation who are grievly wrong because all our righteousness is as filthy rags without the blood of Christ, but when you do the good works because you are saved and you want to glorify Christ and not in order to get saved, is that a bad thing?

Like I said I haven't read the book and don't know who the author is or what his agenda is, I'm just wondering about the whole issue of the believer doing good. I mean I know that simply doing good without it leading to sharing of the Gospel is pretty much the equivelent of loving someone to death - because only accepting the Gospel gives life - but is doing the combination of the two a bad thing? Am I just not understanding something?

[billiefan2000]

http://olivetreeradio.com/OTM2011_05_14A.mp3

and: http://www.olivetreeviews.org/radio/mp3/


Guest host, Eric Barger, and Pastor Paul Van Noy discuss "Covenant" theology and the related errors prevalent in the popular book,

"The Hole In Our Gospel."

Learn how "Covenant," "Replacement," and "Dual Covenant" theologies lead to a skewed understanding of the Scriptures.


Then understand how World Vision's Richard Sterns' book presents an unbiblical, works-oriented plan of salvation

and forwards "Kingdom Now" theology, while intimating that the vast majority of true evangelicals preach and believe an incomplete gospel.


http://olivetreeradio.com/OTM2011_05_14A.mp3

[HeIsEnough]

Am I just not understanding something?

Changing the gospel, even so much as making it less clear, in any way, is a very, very bad thing. Its difficult to convey how bad it actually is. If there is one thing every believer should do, its to point to Christ, and Him alone.

[lorenei]

Changing the gospel, even so much as making it less clear, in any way, is a very, very bad thing. Its difficult to convey how bad it actually is. If there is one thing every believer should do, its to point to Christ, and Him alone.

So a saved person doing good works for the glory of God is not a bad thing it only becomes a bad thing when the good works don't lead to the sharing of the gospel? Is that what the author of that book suggested?

[HeIsEnough]

Merged a thread for a clearer background on what the book and teaching is about...

[eternal]

So a saved person doing good works for the glory of God is not a bad thing it only becomes a bad thing when the good works don't lead to the sharing of the gospel? Is that what the author of that book suggested?

Richards Sterns basically was heaping the guilt on that we (read western church) are not accomplishing 'the gospel' because the rest of the world is in poverty, doesn't have clean water, etc. Sterns' 'gospel' is that of social action.

This is a great place for the 3 uses of the law:
1) a curb- given by God to government to 'curb' the unlawful actions of its citizens.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
2) a mirror- the law shows us how wretched and unworthy we are before a Holy God. This use of the law is designed to point us to Christ as His atoning sacrifice.
Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
3) a ruler- This use of the law is only available for Christians. Now that we have a new nature thanks to the indwelling Holy Spirit, the law tells us how to love God and our neighbor. Instead of a negative imperative 'Thou shalt not steal', the law now gets us motivated to protect our neighbors possessions because we love God and our neighbor.

By making social action 'the gospel', Sterns is jumping the gun. There are lots of unbelievers out there that do good works (Bill Gates, Warren Buffet come to mind), does that mean then that they are saved?
Presenting the clear undiluted gospel of Christ (repentance and forgiveness of sins available through the shed blood of Christ alone) is primary. As James describes in his book, the works will follow salvation.

Hope that unmuddies the water a little.

E

[lorenei]

Richards Sterns basically was heaping the guilt on that we (read western church) are not accomplishing 'the gospel' because the rest of the world is in poverty, doesn't have clean water, etc. Sterns' 'gospel' is that of social action.

This is a great place for the 3 uses of the law:
1) a curb- given by God to government to 'curb' the unlawful actions of its citizens.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
2) a mirror- the law shows us how wretched and unworthy we are before a Holy God. This use of the law is designed to point us to Christ as His atoning sacrifice.
Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
3) a ruler- This use of the law is only available for Christians. Now that we have a new nature thanks to the indwelling Holy Spirit, the law tells us how to love God and our neighbor. Instead of a negative imperative 'Thou shalt not steal', the law now gets us motivated to protect our neighbors possessions because we love God and our neighbor.

By making social action 'the gospel', Sterns is jumping the gun. There are lots of unbelievers out there that do good works (Bill Gates, Warren Buffet come to mind), does that mean then that they are saved?
Presenting the clear undiluted gospel of Christ (repentance and forgiveness of sins available through the shed blood of Christ alone) is primary. As James describes in his book, the works will follow salvation.

Hope that unmuddies the water a little.

E

Thank you for the explanation So basically the problem with the author is that he calls doing good works the gospel rather than separating the gospel (faith in Christ which gives life) and good works (a saved person being moved by the Holy Spirit to help others and share the Word)? I guess I'm having a bit of a slow couple of days, sorry for all the questions!

[Free in Christ]

I am just finishing this book.. Towards the beginning of the book they said they took a bible and cut out all the passages about caring for the poor and needy. The result was a lot of holes in the bible. Could have there been a better title, yes. It is not the gospel that has a hole it is our lack of doing what the bible tells us to do as believers.

With that said, it is a good kick in the butf to do what Jesus did and a big part of that was to help the least of these. Our American culture easily distracts us from the cost of being a Christian.

I am getting more and more convinced that we need to live out the good news of Christ in our lives and less preaching. This will show people that we are different and not living for ourselves but for our Lord. Maybe we won't be seen as such hypocrites when our lives are reflecting what the bible teaches.

[HeIsEnough]

I am just finishing this book.. Towards the beginning of the book they said they took a bible and cut out all the passages about caring for the poor and needy.

What is the basis in NT scripture, for us caring (I take it that means the full spectrum, money, time, sacrifice) for the poor and needy. We are told to care for our families, and for the brethren. I just don't see God's "SSI" plan in scripture. Not that it would be a bad thing, I would like to see you present it so I can understand where you're coming from.

I am getting more and more convinced that we need to live out the good news of Christ in our lives and less preaching.

I am already persuaded that many don't understand the gospel to begin with.

[Buzzardhut]

Has anyone read this book and/or know anything about the author? He founded World Vision. There are comments inside the cover from Chuck Colson, Kay Warren, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Leighton Ford--just to name a few. Thanks

I am just finishing this book.. Towards the beginning of the book they said they took a bible and cut out all the passages about caring for the poor and needy. The result was a lot of holes in the bible. Could have there been a better title, yes. It is not the gospel that has a hole it is our lack of doing what the bible tells us to do as believers.

With that said, it is a good kick in the butf to do what Jesus did and a big part of that was to help the least of these. Our American culture easily distracts us from the cost of being a Christian.

I am getting more and more convinced that we need to live out the good news of Christ in our lives and less preaching. This will show people that we are different and not living for ourselves but for our Lord. Maybe we won't be seen as such hypocrites when our lives are reflecting what the bible teaches.

Churches and charities are diminished with big government.

The social gospel is not the answer for our society; the good news of the gospel through words must prevail.

Thank you for the explanation So basically the problem with the author is that he calls doing good works the gospel rather than separating the gospel (faith in Christ which gives life) and good works (a saved person being moved by the Holy Spirit to help others and share the Word)? I guess I'm having a bit of a slow couple of days, sorry for all the questions!

The bleeding heart social gospel is the message of the new emerging one world church; the endorsers of this book and the movement are steeped in it.

[HeIsEnough]

The social gospel is not the answer for our society; the good news of the gospel through words must prevail.

Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[tbrian40]

When Jesus fed the 4 thousand, he did not gather a petition from the government and ask for participation through tax funds. It is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:1.

[Kliska]

Stearns is at it again with his new book Unfinished. I just wanted to resurrect this discussion and this thread, as I've just finished "Unfinished." (haha)

The book is a push for Kingdom Now nonsense that has replacement theology undertones. Stearns seems to believe that we have the ability to complete some type of work that will bring about Jesus' return (not rapture). I haven't gotten a chance to write up an article yet, but when I do, I'll post it here too.

[Buzzardhut]

Stearns is at it again with his new book Unfinished. I just wanted to resurrect this discussion and this thread, as I've just finished "Unfinished." (haha)

The book is a push for Kingdom Now nonsense that has replacement theology undertones. Stearns seems to believe that we have the ability to complete some type of work that will bring about Jesus' return (not rapture). I haven't gotten a chance to write up an article yet, but when I do, I'll post it here too.

It will also be the One World church message after Jesus raptures His bride.