The Whole Gospel for the Whole World: Experiencing the Fourfold Gospel Today: 3 (McMaster Ministry Studies)

Like most Protestant denominations the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) was founded upon ideas that shaped its vision and ethos throughout its history. Also like most denominations over time the influence of these ideas on the movement tends to diminish. Denominations like any organization have to consistently revisit their original vision in order to remain vitally sustained by those things that gave it a reason for existing in the first place. This book addresses six key ideas that have shaped the Christian and Missionary Alliance throughout its history: Jesus as our savior sanctifier healer and coming king which are known as the fourfold gospel as well as the concepts of Jesus only and world mission. These ideas are at the heart of the C&MA identity. However there has long been a sense within C&MA circles that these core ideas are not always given the kind of attention that they deserve so that they can dynamically shape the movement as it faces the challenges of being the church in the twenty-first century. This volume is a resource for Alliance churches that will help them re-engage with the central tenets of Alliance theology and spirituality in a way that will ultimately inspire greater passion for the cause of Christ in the world as it is uniquely expressed through the movement known as the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I am reading this manuscript sitting a few blocks away from the grave marker for A. B. Simpson the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. I found myself wondering If Simpson were alive today and was attending a local Alliance church would he still recognize the original DNA of the Alliance movement within the leaders and congregation? My sense is that he might be somewhat bewildered by a lack of passion for the deeper life and world evangelization. Dr. Pyles and Dr. Beach have done a masterful job in bringing the historic DNA of the Christian and Missionary Alliance into a modern-day context. The style of the book is very accessible and invitational. The authors use a narrative approach which immediately engages the readers in the story and invites them to grow in both their knowledge and experience of the truths being communicated. On Simpsons grave marker you find the words Not I but Christ. This was the desire and passion of his life. He experienced the presence of Jesus and was transformed forever. The authors write As we begin to understand our Alliance heritage as a spirituality that centres us in Jesus rather than a series of doctrinal affirmations it opens us to receive all that Christ has for us as a result of His life death and resurrection on our behalf. This is a must-read for any believer who desires to walk in a deeper place with Jesus. It is Christ in you the hope of glory! --David Hearn President of the C&MA in Canada The main benefit of this book is that the more you read the more you get excited about Christ. Quite an accomplishment for a book about denominational distinctives. The authors provide a presentation of the Christian and Missionary Alliance as relevant for our times. Although written by two scholars the text is crystal clear and appealing easy to read but not cheap in its reasoning. In the footsteps of Albert Simpson they too sound like spiritual seekers whose greatest desire is to offer a way into a full experience of Christ himself. For any church member but especially pastors and elders it provides very practical information and advice on how to live a Christocentric life. Discuss it in small groups use it for sermon preparation and let it be an inspiration to live a healthy balanced Christian life that is passionate about Jesus. --Arie M. Verduijn President of the Alliance World Fellowship Dr. Franklin Pyles (PhD) is a former president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada (2000-2012). He has pastored Alliance churches in Canada and the United States for more than thirty year