The Gospel is Bigger than You Think by Anthony Delgado is an ambitious work that seeks to reshape contemporary understandings of the Gospel by moving beyond a commonly accepted minimalist approach. Delgado takes readers on a journey to explore the Gospel’s breadth, depth, and transformative power. He argues that what he describes as the "Gospel of Middle America"—a reductionist, simplified Gospel often presented in Western Christian circles—fails to connect believers with the Gospel's true richness and power. His thesis is that the Gospel, properly understood, is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, encompassing God’s overarching plan for redemption, kingdom living, and individual transformation within the larger narrative of God’s kingdom.
Delgado's critique of the "Gospel of Middle America" is foundational to his argument. He posits that this common approach to the Gospel often boils down to a personal salvation message focused almost exclusively on sin and salvation, with minimal emphasis on discipleship, community, and holistic transformation. According to Delgado, this presentation of the Gospel is incomplete, as it bypasses critical elements such as the kingdom of God, the victory of Christ over spiritual forces, and the inclusion of believers into the family of God. By reducing the Gospel to an individualized, transactional experience ("Jesus died for my sins so I can go to heaven"), the modern church has inadvertently minimized its potential to create lasting impact in individuals and communities. Delgado asserts that such a reductionist approach fails to equip believers for the demands of authentic Christian living, contributing instead to an increasingly disengaged and transient Christian experience.
In Part I, Delgado lays out what he considers the "Gospel Proper," exploring the essence of the Gospel in greater depth. He begins by addressing the gaps he perceives in the common, abbreviated Gospel message, which he contends presents an incomplete picture that may serve initial conversion but struggles to sustain long-term faith. Delgado describes the "Kingdom Gospel" as the central hub from which other aspects of the Gospel radiate—such as Gospel Victory, Gospel Restitution, Gospel Repentance, and Gospel Transformation. He uses these themes to highlight the full range of Christ's work, urging readers to understand the Gospel not just as a message of forgiveness but as an invitation to participate in God's ongoing work of renewal. Delgado argues that the kingdom of God, a concept frequently highlighted in Jesus's own teachings, should be the focal point of the Gospel message. This kingdom-centered Gospel speaks of Christ as both Savior and King, calling believers to live under His rule and participate in His restorative work.
Part II examines the effects of a fully integrated Gospel on believers' lives and communities. Delgado presents a model of Gospel-driven transformation that moves beyond personal salvation to affect every area of life. The Gospel’s influence, according to Delgado, should extend to creating communities marked by Gospel Victory—demonstrating Christ's triumph over sin, death, and spiritual darkness. In his view, the Christus Victor model, which portrays Christ as the victor over cosmic powers, should be central to understanding the Gospel’s effects. This model aligns with Delgado's emphasis on spiritual warfare as part of the Gospel narrative, highlighting that Christ’s resurrection is not only a moment of personal redemption but a cosmic victory over spiritual entities opposed to God’s purposes.
Delgado also explores the concept of Gospel Family, which looks at adoption into God's family and the covenantal relationship between believers and Christ as His bride. This motif underscores the communal aspects of the Gospel, contrasting sharply with the individualistic focus of the Middle American Gospel. Through Gospel Restitution and Gospel Repentance, Delgado introduces a comprehensive view of atonement that includes not only forgiveness but also a turning away from sin and a commitment to justice and restoration within society. He relates the Old Testament Day of Atonement sacrifices to the New Testament atonement, suggesting that both repentance and restitution are integral to the Gospel's impact. Delgado’s discussions around Gospel Transformation center on the New Testament promise of conformity to Christ’s image, discussing themes like deification (participating in Christ’s divine nature) and theosis. These theological concepts, often sidelined in contemporary preaching, are reclaimed by Delgado as essential to the believer's journey and critical to understanding the scope of the Gospel.
One of Delgado's most compelling arguments is his critique of the prevalent reductionist Gospel and its cultural implications. He views the "folk religion" version of Christianity in America as a result of this diluted Gospel message. According to Delgado, this reduced Gospel has led to a disengaged and often superficial Christianity, where belief in Jesus as Savior is divorced from the call to live as part of His kingdom and community. Delgado calls this the "Gospel of Middle America"—a mix of American individualism and cultural Christianity that retains core doctrines but lacks depth and transformative power. Through survey data, Delgado highlights that many Christians experience what he calls "folk religion," where a basic belief in salvation is retained but theological depth and commitment to church life are minimized. He notes that these issues contribute to why many Christians do not exhibit lasting change in their lives, frequently leaving the church or drifting into nominal faith without meaningful connection to the larger body of Christ.
Delgado argues that to counteract this trend, churches must reclaim a comprehensive Gospel message that addresses contemporary spiritual questions, cultural challenges, and the community-oriented aspects of the faith. He points to several stumbling blocks to conversion, including perceived hypocrisy, lack of teaching on spiritual matters, and scandal, which, he believes, the current Gospel presentation does little to address. Delgado claims that without a more robust Gospel foundation, churches will continue to falter in leading believers who can withstand these challenges and embody the transformative power of the Gospel.
Despite the book's strengths, some readers might find Delgado's theological commitments challenging. His framework relies heavily on covenant theology, which emphasizes continuity between the Old and New Testaments. This may not resonate with readers who subscribe to dispensationalism or other frameworks that view the two testaments as more distinct. Furthermore, Delgado’s call for a robust theological understanding might seem idealistic or overly complex, particularly for those accustomed to more straightforward presentations of the Gospel that, while perhaps limited, still hold meaning for many. Yet Delgado’s point is not necessarily to dismiss these simpler views but to encourage a deeper and more holistic understanding of the Gospel as a means of fostering lasting faith.
In Part III, Delgado concludes with a call for Gospel Simplicity, underscoring that while the Gospel is complex and multifaceted, it must also remain accessible. He argues that the Gospel, no matter how deep its implications, should be presented in a way that invites all believers into discipleship. The simplicity of the Gospel lies in its fundamental truths—that Jesus is Lord, that He rose from the dead, and that faith in Him leads to salvation. Delgado suggests that while believers may not understand the Gospel’s full scope upon conversion, they are invited to grow in their knowledge and experience of it over time. His epilogue offers practical advice for sharing the Gospel in a way that balances its complexity with an invitation to transformation.
Ultimately, The Gospel is Bigger than You Think is a thought-provoking work that challenges readers to consider the Gospel as a holistic, transformative message rather than a quick formula for personal salvation. Delgado calls for a renewed focus on the kingdom of God, spiritual warfare, and covenantal relationships, encouraging Christians to see the Gospel as not just good news for the individual but as the foundational story of God’s work in creation. The book’s rigor and depth make it an essential read for church leaders, theologians, and mature Christians seeking a deeper understanding of the Gospel’s full power and potential. This is a challenging yet ultimately rewarding book for those ready to engage the Gospel in all its breadth, complexity, and promise.
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