The World-Tilting Gospel

Specifically, I bought it because of the first six words of his review: “There’s nothing new in this book.”

Yes. I did say that it was a positive review. As a matter of fact, the author of The World Tilting Gospel (TWTG), Dan Phillips, commented on it, “…they’re sweet, sweet words to me.”

The words of TWTG were sweet to me as I took it up and read. “The greatest need of the church today is a strategic, full-orbed, robust, biblical grasp of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its  transformative implications. We don’t need more glitz or glamour, better marketing or programs, snazzier décor or entertainment. We do need a whole-Bible grasp of the Gospel.” (Introduction, Pg. 19)

TWTG doesn’t disappoint; spelling out the Gospel clearly, and framing it biblically to show how it relates to and tilts the world.

“We’re a mess. What we need to do is rub the sleep-dust out of our eyes, pull the plugs out of our ears, get out of our recliners, and hit the Book. We need to expose our hearts to the true, howling darkness of our sin, and the blinding blaze of God’s holiness. We need to rivet our attention on the overflowing majesty of the person of Jesus Christ…” (Chapter 14, Pg. 300)

Yeah. That’s straightforward talk. You’ll read a lot of that in this book.

The World-Tilting Gospel will appeal to agnostics and theological novices for its readability and clarity, and to lay scholars and seminary students for its depth and breadth. I can think of a few mainline ministers who could use a refresher course in the summation of salvation it offers as well.  It presents the ‘old, old story’ in a fresh, appealing way. Don’t take that to mean the truth is sugar-coated; the expression ‘gilding the lily’ doesn’t apply here. TWTG is rough and rigid where the gospel is rough and rigid; and it is soft and sweet where the gospel is soft and sweet.

TWTG may be an answer to the problem identified in Michael Horton’s Christless Christianity. The churches that Horton challenges in his book would do well to study TWTG which presents the good news captivatingly, but without so-called ‘relevant’ fanfare, shock-value or worldly means. What Horton says is missing from the center of many churches is the focus of Phillips’ book – the good news of Jesus Christ.

What I like most about TWTG is that it is structured like a pyramid, with one course built solidly upon another, tapering upward toward the peak. But the book doesn’t end with just a single point. When it reaches that expected dénouement; it’s fireworks time! Instead of a single point of light, there is an explosion of truth and beauty and love and mercy and praise and glory and joy all directed at the person and work of Christ Jesus.

Before I even finished reading the book, I purchased additional copies and gave them to a few cherished friends. Buy yourself a copy and do the same.

Dan Phillips is the pastor of Copperfield Bible Church in Houston, Texas. His blog is Biblical Christianity and he is a member of TeamPyro, the Pyromaniacs blog; both of which you’ll find linked in the sidebar to the right up toward the top. Dan is also the author of God’s Wisdom in Proverbs, a copy of which is sitting on my bookshelf awaiting my eager eyes.

]]> http://tando.org/archives/1887/feed 1 http://tando.org/archives/1057 http://tando.org/archives/1057#comments Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:06:24 +0000 Dave Miller http://tando.org/?p=1057

CLICKING THE IMAGE WILL OPEN ‘THE STORY’ IN A NEW WINDOW.

Whether you are a long-time believer, an unbeliever or anywhere in between, I think you will enjoy this story. It is a true story that never gets old or boring, that always refreshes and renews.

About four years ago, I was shopping at a local bookstore and picked up a book by John MacArthur entitled Twelve Ordinary Men. I had never heard of the author before but it looked like an interesting tome, so I bought it. I wasn’t disappointed. It is a fantastic examination of the men Jesus chose to send out into the world and turn it on its head; and they were extraordinarily ordinary men. If you haven’t read the book, I recommend it highly. http://www.gty.org/Shop/Books/451144S_Twelve-Ordinary-Men-Softcover

[Since then, I’ve read The Gospel According to Jesus, The Truth War and am currently in the middle of The Jesus you Can’t Ignore.]

After I read Twelve Ordinary Men, I wanted to learn more about this MacArthur fella, so I went online and found Grace To You. There I found a link to download GTY podcasts and I have been a listener ever since. I particularly like the Tale of Two Sons series which gives insights into Christ’s Prodigal Son parable that I had never heard or considered before. I still like to browse GTY.org and always find something new.

Eventually, I found that the director of GTY was a guy named Phil Johnson who had a website with lots of Christian links on it. It is just what the hungry young believer needs to find everything from milk to meat. I still visit his site regularly.

Not long afterward, I discovered Phil’s blog called Pyromaniacs which included his articles and those of three other people, some obnoxious guy named Frank Turk, a ghost with the nom de guerre Peccadillo and an ordinary man named Dan Phillips. The story is the same here but amplified; I visit Pyromaniacs daily. Recently, I’ve concluded that Frank isn’t obnoxious, Peccadillo really is a ghost and Dan Phillips is anything but ordinary.

Dan’s website is Biblical Christianity and he describes himself as a CalviDispieBaptoGelical; a label that would doubtless confuse the world’s smartest man. In the past year or so, Dan has become my favorite blogger on the Pyromaniacs team and I often find myself digging back through the archives of both sites to read his take on various issues.

Believe it or not, all I really wanted to say when I sat down at the keyboard an hour ago was; you should really read Dan Phillips’ article today on Pyromaniacs: http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2011/01/compassion-parable.html

All the rest is just a strange tale of how God can use things that seem like coincidences to lead a hungry believer to teachers with abundant food for the mind and soul. I give thanks to God for the work these men do in service to their Lord.