The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us?

This book is actually two volumes woven together: the first volume is the account of urgent global needs and a call to respond to those needs as followers of Jesus Christ. The second volume is the testimony of Richard Sterns, and how God dramatically called him from a very successful, lucrative corporate career to assume the leadership of World Vision. The first volume is compelling, though it does get bogged down in details that are more informational than inspirational. The second volume however, is priceless. It was this section of this book that moved me deeply, learning how one man could sacrifice his "successful Christian life" to make a true difference in the world. The true path to greatness in the kingdom of God is found not by climbing up a ladder of success, but by climbing down a ladder of service. Richard Sterns illustrates that truth vividly here. I recommend this book highly -- just be warned, your Christian life may not be the same again.

I, like so many others, knew about global poverty, and suffering but thought of it as "out there somewhere." I also felt helpless to really make a difference. This book has opened my eyes to the reality that it is not someone else's responsibility to "fix it." It is mine. And it is yours. Please read this book. Your world will become so large, and your own problems so small.

I recently discovered how much better I comprehend books (and complete them) by using Audible.com; having said that this book is one you'll keep and pass on to your kids. This is a must read for everyone. It dispels the myths and prejudices so many of us grew up with and believed about poverty. It gives solutions that will stand the test of time in an ethical responsible way. Read it, pass it on for generations to come.

The authors uses his own biography to illustrate how he became away of global poverty and how we the church should address it. This is not a "social gospel" look at Christianity. This is a biblical view of what the church is called to do. Great book.

This book will challenge each Christ-follower reading it (or listening). We live in our comfort and attend our inspiring church services. But, Richard Stearns invades our consciences and shines the light of truth by reminding us vividly of what Christ expects of us regarding the truly needy and hungry of our world.

The author causes the reader to rethink their perspectives. How can we be satisfied as church goer's?

Every follower of Christ should read this book. Excellent and moving, I was touched deeply to the core of my soul.

I thought it was a shame the author decided to include global warming, social justice, acceptance of homosexuality and abortion into the church just to improve the public image of the church. The premise of the book is right on, we are to be a giving people as christians and our heart should break for the condition of the world, but stick to the gospel, leave your Jim Wallis liberal bias at home. If you want a book that covers many of the same issues but sticks to the bible and is apolitical you should check out radical by David Platt.

This book has changed my life on the way we serve in the Mission field. A must read.

Yes

I listened to this book as one of many books, in preparation for my first short term mission trip to an impoverished nation. I'm not sure that I would have finished it without that motivation. Here's why.

First, the narrator has a deep, rich voice and reads smoothly with appropriate intonation. He represents well the persona that any high powered executive would want to portray. It was a solid four star performance.

Richard Stearns spends the bulk of the book explaining how he was recruited by World Vision and how far he came down in pay grade to accept his position with them, the extent of the pain and suffering in the majority world, how pathetic North American Christians are at alleviating worldwide suffering and how we should be doing more, like sponsoring children, etc.. He of course quotes Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel at all times and when absolutely necessary, use words." This constitutes "the hole."

I believe that the gospel (i.e. God loves us so He sent His son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that we can be forgiven and know him personally) is the most critical bit of information any human being can be presented with and that apart from being born again through hearing and accepting the good news that God personally made a way for forgiven sinners to enter Heaven, this life is as good as it gets whether you live in the USA or Malawi. No amount of "being nice" to suffering people will matter without that relationship beginning through a new birth into Jesus Christ. The gospel of Mr. Stearns and World Vision seems to be that we should make people as comfortable as possible on the bus to Hell, unless they happen to ask if they're on the right bus.

The Bible teaches that after the new birth in response to hearing the gospel, there must come growth in a Christian's ability to live a life of active love. I agree with the author, that Christ followers should invest their lives intentionally and sacrificially to ease suffering, care for widows, orphans and the oppressed and work to make this world as good a place as possible in which to live. I don't agree that this work should be done without proclaiming salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone and that this must be done with words. If, for some strange reason, you really don't care for Jesus but choose to listen to this book, you may want to skip the last 12 - 15 minutes. The author does eventually use words to preach, but it comes off as an afterthought.

Just as a hole without a doughnut surrounding it is worthless, so is just being nice without the story of God's love for us through Jesus. I gave the author three stars but I was "being nice."