Book Review: The Gospel Commission

Regular or long-term readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of Michael Horton, author of "The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way", and that I have a high regard for a lot of what he writes. As well as his Systematic, and a range of academic work, Horton has also written some more popular books; "Christless Christianity", "The Gospel Driven Life", and today's tome, "The Gospel Commission". Horton has subtitled this book "Recovering God's Strategy for Making Disciples", adding a different and excellent contribution to the ongoing discussion regarding discipleship in the modern church

This is a rigorously organised and efficiently engaged book. The three sections that contribute a cohesive whole are logical elements of Horton's overall thrust. We open with part one - "The Great Announcement", where we are reminded that "the Great Commission actually begins with a great announcement. Before there can be a mission, there has to be a message". Horton explores this whilst briefly going through the whole of Scripture. Part Two expands the opening premise with some explanation - "The Mission Statement". The third chapter of the book, in this section, is my favourite, as I discuss later. In Part Two Horton deals with the issues of Imperative, Contextualisation, and Making Disciples. Part Three is the most practical part, handily titled "The Strategic Plan". Here Horton suggests a 'How', including what each instruction in the Great Commission means. There is also a fascinating discussion of the tension between The Great Commission and the Great Commandment - something I may explore on this blog in the future. The book closes with a helpful discussion, "Until He Comes: The Great Assurance".

For me, probably the standout element of the book is the third chapter, "An Urgent Imperative". Setting the tone for the rest of the book - and Horton's passionate plea for faithful Christian witness - this is a powerful defence and consideration of the issues of pluralism and liberal 'Christianity' in relation to the fulfilment of Jesus' great commission. Horton observes that "the real dissenters in our world today are those who confess the Christ who was anticipated by the prophets and proclaimed as risen by the apostles and martyrs". The exclusive, powerful, radical nature of the Gospel is a precious thing - because in holding it carefully, we proclaim, hold and live out the Gospel itself. Horton is helpfully clear here, and ultimately concludes that "the story we have to tell to the world is not told in different ways in other religions. The gospel is the strangest thing we will ever hear - or tell. And if it isn't true for all of us, then it isn't true for any of us". Amen!

This superb - if rather garishly red - volume is at once a sustained reflection on Discipleship, the Missio Dei, the interaction of Christianity and culture, and much more. I thoroughly enjoyed ploughing through it - it is a rather dense but rewarding read - as it connected some areas of theology and thought I had not connected before, and contextualised everything for the sake of mission and discipleship. If this is what happens when one of my favourite Reformed systematic Theologians turns his hand to gently nudging the Church, then more, please! I look forward to reviewing his prior "The Gospel-Driven Life", but in the meantime recommend "The Gospel Commission" for all those seriously interested in discipleship, mission, and contextualisation of the Gospel.

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