A book review of “The Gospel-Shaped Life” by Ian Hamilton; Published by The Banner of Truth (paperback 175 pages). This is Hamilton’s companion book to the The Faith-Shaped Life reviewed HERE
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
In the Introduction to the book Hamilton tells us that the gospel is good news in three ways: 1) Good news about God; 2) Good news about a Son given by God to be the Saviour of the world; 3) Good news for a world of judgment-deserving sinners. Yet Hamilton notes,
Sadly, however, many people’s understanding of the gospel begins and ends with John 3:16. The gospel is not one iota less than John 3:16; but it is very much more.
As the blurb at the back points out, the gospel does more than rescue us (sinners) from hell and save us for heaven – it also changes our lives and remakes it into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). And so chapter by chapter, Hamilton methodically brings the reader to the full extent of what the Gospel-Shaped Life ought to be for every Christian.
In my review of The Faith-Shaped Life I wrote: This little book consists of forty-three short meditations which can be read daily. However, don’t let the “shortness” fool you, and don’t be in a hurry if you do get the book. There is deep theology and doxology, gems and Bible verses in each of its pages.
The same comments apply to The Gospel-Shaped Life. The two books go together. In fact I might even suggest that they ought to be published in one volume. Ian Hamilton has the gentle heart of a pastor and he is biblically sound. It is obvious that he loves Christ and his readers. He is irenic and loving towards those he disagrees with and counsels readers to be so.
The fact that Hamilton is a Calvinist shouldn’t put anyone off (see the last chapter). All Christians will benefit from reading The Gospel-Shaped Life.
Introduction
1) God Is Trinity: The Gospel’s God
2) What Is a Christian? Gospel Foundations
3) A New Covenant Command: Gospel Fear
4) Isaiah’s Life-Changing Encounter: The Gospel’s Transforming Power
5) The Duplex Gratia: The Gospel’s Double Grace
6) The God Who Hides Himself: Trusting the God of the Gospel
7) Loved with Everlasting Love: The Gospel’s Wonder
8) Extravagant Grace: The Scandal of the Gospel
9) Trust and Obey: Gospel Inseparables
10) Resisting a Diet of False Illusions: The Need for Gospel Saturation
11) ‘This Is Our Beloved’: The Heart of the Gospel
12) Reasons Why You Should Not Believe: The Gospel and Unbelief
13) When Is a Church Not a Church? Gospel Catholicity
14) Seventy Thousand Fathoms Deep: The Gospel’s Unfathomable Depth
15) David Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Gospel Preaching in Spirit and Power
16) The Obedience of Faith: The Gospel Works
17) Ups and Downs: The Erratic Nature of the Gospel-Shaped Life
18) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (1)
19) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (2)
20) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (3)
21) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (4)
22) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (5)
23) Living by the Means of Grace: How We Grow Up in the Gospel (6)
24) Living in a Fallen World: Practising the Gospel
25) De Servo Arbitrio: Gospel Humbling Words
26) Contentment: A Neglected Gospel Grace
27) The Great Commission: Commitment to Gospel Advance
28) Not Losing Heart: Cultivating Gospel and Ministerial Perseverance
29) Being a Witness: Sharing the Gospel
30) ‘My Father Is Always Working’: Gospel Confidence
31) The Sweetness of God: The Gospel’s Marrow
32) The Faithful God: The Gospel’s Firm Foundation
33) The Covenant of Redemption: The Gospel’s Eternal Roots
34) The Grace of Election: What Gospel Life Looks Like
35) The Spirit and Practice of Sabbath- Keeping: Enjoying Gospel Rest
36) Less than the Least: The Soil of Gospel Usefulness
37) Samuel Rutherford: Gospel-Shaped Spirituality
38) Lyrical Beauty from Augustine: Gospel Ecstasy
39) Thomas Goodwin: Gospel Assurance
40) ‘The Crook in the Lot’: Gospel Living in a Fallen World
41) When I Don’t Feel Forgiven: How the Gospel Gives Us Comfort
42) Learning from Solomon: True and Needful Gospel Wisdom
43) The Heart of Calvinism: Gospel Humility
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