The Very Good Gospel

How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right

By: Lisa Sharon Harper, Walter Brueggemann - foreword

Narrated by: Lisa Sharon Harper

God once declared everything in the world "very good." Can you imagine it?

A vision of hope for a broken world...

Shalom is what God declared. Shalom is what the Kingdom of God looks like. Shalom is when all people have enough. It's when families are healed. It's when churches, schools, and public policies protect human dignity. Shalom is when the image of God is recognized in every single human. Shalom is our calling as followers of Jesus' gospel. It is the vision God set forth in the Garden and the restoration God desires for every relationship.

What can we do to bring shalom to our nations, our communities, and our souls? Through a careful exploration of biblical text, particularly the first three chapters of Genesis, Lisa Sharon Harper shows us what "very good" can look like today, even after the Fall.

Because despite our anxious minds, despite division and threats of violence, God's vision remains: Wholeness for a hurting world. Peace for a fearful soul. Shalom.

©2016 Lisa Sharon Harper (P)2020 Tantor

This book spoke to my soul.

If ever you thought you understood what Christianity was, this book will give you a new perspective. The Very Good Gospel ties so many threads together throughout the Bible. Things that seemed random before now make sense to me. I always struggled with how the gospel of "keeping me out of hell" was compelling. Now I get how the gospel of resounding love and connection is overwhelmingly compelling. This is a must read for Christians and non-Christians alike.

I could listen to Lisa talk about the gospel all day every day

She talks about the gospel and the way I always felt it was intended to be understood.

Very good indeed

An excellent “read” and I can’t imagine not listening to it with Dr. Harper as the narrator. Her energy is inspiring and spirit is contagious.

Challenge to Deeper Thinking & Biblical Learning

The book opens with a challenge to embrace what the author calls "thick faith, oppose to mere thin faith.

The Gospel as Truly Good News

Lisa Sharon Harper does a masterful job of reexamining what the Gospel means. For those familiar with more liberal theology, these things may be familiar, but as one rooted in evangelicalism, her words brought hope and a vision of a faith that seems more like our amazing God. I don't agree with all of her biblical views, but I am grateful for this book.
And I have to add a word about her delivery - don't think you're just going to listen to a book - you're going to CHURCH, in the best possible way! So powerful!!