Mark Dever “Improving the Gospel: Exercises in Unbiblical Theology (or) Questioning Five Common Deceits” in Proclaiming a Cross Centered Theology. Wheaton: Crossway, 2009.
“People often try to improve the gospel, but in “improving” it, they always end up losing it” (99).
“This gospel we have received is itself full and lacks nothing. Thus, to add to it is only to detract from it—and from God’s glory” (119).
“Rising generation of ministers, hear this call. I don’t know how long in God’s kindness he will even suffer for such an admonition to be given out to you. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about temporary structures; it is about immortal beings made in God’s image. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about pressing issues of passing policy; it is about the death of Jesus Christ on the cross once for all time. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about connecting with the questions the non-Christian has; it is about communicating the answer God has given. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about me experiencing immediate joy with my friends; it is about my ever-lasting joy in God, and it leads me into a local church with people as sinful and as inconvenient to love as I am. And the gospel of Jesus Christ is not about the number of sinners saved; it is about the glory of the God who saves anyone at all” (120).
Pastor Travis Peterson 