Review: The Core of the Christian Faith

The Core of the Christian Faith: Living the Gospel for the Sake of the World

By Michael W. Goheen (Brazos Press)

Stories shape character. Narratives form identity. New Christians whose lives were shaped by the stories of their culture need to be re-formed by a different story—a better narrative.

Author Michael W. Goheen believes followers of Jesus are called to live out the gospel for the world’s sake. However, they need a spiritual formation and discipleship process to equip them for that task.

Goheen calls on the church to reclaim its “missional dynamic” by teaching four key elements of Christian discipleship—the good news of God’s kingdom, the biblical story in its fullness, the church as God’s missional people, and the missionary encounter with culture. In the process, he reiterates many of the same themes presented in the books he wrote previously with Craig Bartholomew—The Drama of History and The True Story of the Whole World: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Drama.

While readers of his earlier books may feel a sense of déjà vu, Goheen breaks new ground with his emphasis on the “missional dynamic” of the church. He asserts the mission God gives to his people requires a missionary encounter—a point at which Christians find common ground with the good in nearly every culture, while also confronting the idolatry that undergirds it and permeates it.

Understanding the grand, sweeping narrative drama of Scripture is not enough unless, as disciples of Jesus, we live out our role in that continuing story and teach others to do the same—continuing Christ’s mission and making known the kingdom Jesus embodied.

Ken Camp, managing editor

Baptist Standard