What Is the Mission of the Church?

Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom and the Great Commission

By: Kevin DeYoung, Greg Gilbert

Narrated by: Adam Verner

Addressing mission, evangelism, and social justice, two pastors draw listeners to the Bible's teaching on some contentious matters. Listeners in all spheres of ministry will grow in their understanding of the mission of the Church and gain a renewed sense of urgency for Jesus' call to preach the Word and make disciples.

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Critic reviews

"Christ is the greatest message in the world, and delivering it is the greatest mission. But are we losing our focus? Are we being distracted, sometimes even by good things? Zealous Christians disagree sharply today over the church’s proper ministry and mission. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert bring us back to first things in an age of mission creep and distraction. Offering balanced wisdom, this book will give us not only encouragement but discomfort exactly where we all need it. It’s the kind of biblical sanity we need at this moment." (Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California)

Timely, well-reasoned

This hit the nail on the head for me as a Christian of 45+ years and an attorney practicing in the area of critical infrastructures (energy, water and food). My questions in my earthly profession and my heavenly profession overlapped. How do we pursue “justice” for all and has the church abdicated its proper role, sitting back while the government takes central stage? I am instructed and encouraged by the message of this book. And, as for me, I came away with a new and renewed perspective on the primacy of the gospel. “There is something worse than death and something better than human flourishing.” Thank you for this scripture-infused explanation. I trust it will change my life’s work.

A Sober Minded Response to Liberalism

As in his other works, DeYoung manages to give a very sober and realistic response to pendulum swings within the Church. His take on social justice, shalom, and other sexy evangelical buzzwords will add needed clarity to an American church struggling to make sense of the new rise of liberalism.

Thoughtful and Well written

I both enjoyed and appreciated Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert's work on the mission of the church. The book does a good job of exploring what the Bible has to say about missions and social justice. The authors are very humble and do a great job of being charitable towards those with whom they disagree. The one negative for me is that the authors advocate for Amillenial theology. I am Premillennial. This doesn't disqualify the work, since they come to pretty similar conclusions, but it is helpful to be aware that they may have a different understanding of the Kingdom than you.

Inspiring and Thoughtful Content

This book provides an unapologetic, refreshing, biblical-based perspective on the responsibilities of Christians. The only disappointment was that when the book quoted scripture, the narrator assumed an almost-Ossie Davis tone which detracted from the content because it wasn't genuine.

Bringing us back to the core

Any additional comments?

This book is a great resource to use as a lense to reflect upon the current rush towards a social gospel message and reminds us what the core belief of Christians should be... the cross! I found this book very helpful.

Strangely Powerful

This book does an incredible job of laying the biblical framework of the mission of the church and the church’s central responsibilities amongst differing visions. Kindly corrects and incorporates popular views that have less biblical warrant. Great for anyone in ministry, philanthropy, seminary, etc. Strangely powerful message

Nothing new here except the terrible narration.

Any additional comments?

Standard reformed theological understanding of the concept of