Ebook
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 Theology