Book Review - The Hole In Our Gospel

When I first picked up The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns I thought it would be about Stearns' personal journey to becoming the president of World Vision. What I discovered as I read the book was so much more powerful and potentially life-changing for readers. While Stearns does share parts of his life before and after becoming president of World Vision this book focuses on how Christians can have an enormous impact on the poverty and injustice in our world by actively being the hands and feet of Christ.

This book is directed at Christians, particularly Christians in America. It is human nature to focus on what is in front of us and not to be overly concerned with those things which are far removed from our presence. Christ, however, calls His followers to show compassion toward our neighbors in need (see Luke 10:25-37 and Matthew 25:31-46 ). In America the 21st century Christians have both the financial and physical means to literally reach our neighbors in the remotest parts of the world. This book is a call to all Christians to work together to reach these people for Christ by showing His love in tangible ways - feeding the hungry, providing for orphans, and helping the sick among others.

Stearns does not confuse works with faith. He makes it completely clear that he in no way thinks works replace faith. But in an excerpt from his book, "...God expects our lives - our churches and faith communities too - to be characterized by these authentic signs of our own transformation: compassion, mercy, justice, and love - demonstrated tangibly."
This Biblical principle should be familiar to all Christians. The book of James makes it quite clear that faith without works is dead (see James 2:14-26)

The only part of this book I struggled with is the title. I believe the gospel of Christ is whole in that "..while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 The gospel of Christ can be demonstrated in the ways Stearns shares in his book, but I don't believe those acts are the gospel - they are ways to share the gospel of salvation through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection. This did not take away from the underlying message that I as a Christian in America have been entrusted with financial blessings over which God made me a steward. I don't believe I was given these blessings just so I could live comfortably or "keep up with the Joneses". I am called to love my neighbor and one way to do that is to share these blessings with those who are, in many parts of the world, starving to death.

After reading this book I believe most Christians will be convicted to reexamine how they are using their time, talents and treasure to share the love of Christ with those in need.