G.O.S.P.E.L.

This is a good, quick read, and a good summation of the gospel message, written in a style intended to appeal to people living in an urban environment. It's a great tool to summarize the elements of the gospel message, and the author breaks that message down as an acrostic: God's image; Open fellowship; Sin introduced; Penalty and price; Enter Jesus; Life everlasting. G O S P E L.The writer is deeply familiar with his text, and while his language might be unfamiliar to some, the message is clear and easy to understand.Where it breaks down for me is the insistence that the only "healthy" church is one where the men are in charge. This is perhaps a conceit of the 20th century American church, but it is not the only model for a church. I would find it boring to experience church in exactly the same way in every place I went--there is such diversity among people and within cultures that I'd expect churches to operate differently. In an age where men and women are equal partners in the gospel and the kingdom, I also find it jarring to see male headship be declared to be the only way to model a relationship.But if you can work around some of these ideas, the essential message is clear and focused on the work of Jesus, and that's always good.

This was a very easy book to read. D.A. Horton clearly explains the Gospel and does so in a manner and language any person should be able to relate to and understand.

D.A Horton writes an amazing book that tells of the gospel. He helps us to reach people with the message by being mindful of who they are and where they have come from. Great book to pair with your daily bible or devotional time.

D.A. Horton helps those who are unfamiliar with the Urban culture to understand and come from a place of real to relate to those in the Urban setting to share the WORD!

This book is a great read to lay foundation to your faith and able to teach others how to share the GOSPEL of Christ!

Through the use of an acrostic based on the word GOSPEL Horton presents the GOSPEL beautifully. He puts it forth in a way that both those from an urban or non-urban context can understand.

This book needs a home in your library, well worth the investment. I have personally added this book to my suggested reading list.

I first heard of D.A. Horton from a YouTube video in which he was promoting ReachLife Ministries. - the ministry/educational arm of the powerhouse record label, Reach Records. Horton had recently taken over as the Executive Director of ReachLife and was explaining the intentions and some of the goals of the ministry, to include where he was praying God would lead it. He was very purposeful in his statements and his presentation of, not only the message of ReachLife, but the message of the gospel.This was a brother whom I could tell knew the gospel and was able to communicate such truths to brothers and sisters on the block, as well as brothers and sisters in the church. When the opportunity to review his first book presented itself - I had to take it.Horton has written an extremely easy to read book. At only 70 pages, someone should be able to make it from cover to cover in less than two or three sittings. However, to take the brevity of the book as a weakness would be a discrediting to the author - I think Horton did a great job with his first effort as a published author.As with any book, there are some aspects I liked better than others. And although they are few and far between, there are some specifics that I didn't like at all. However, at the end of the day, I don't think anyone would be upset investing time in reading this book.When reading this book, you can't help but wonder who the book was written for - someone wanting to communicate the gospel to urban dwellers or urban dwellers who want to know more about the gospel.It's actually both.The book is written in such a way that if the reader can already explain the gospel in a clear and concise manner, this book provides the tools needed to be able explain it to someone in an urban context. The slang and terminology that Horton uses in this book is used in such a way that someone unfamiliar with the meanings might be able to understand the words if they heard them in person. On the reverse, the book is written in such a way that if someone from the urban context had questions about the gospel, aside from someone walking along side them one on one, this would be a good resource for them to read. Again, the slang and terminology Horton uses to explain complex theological truths is right on par with how brothers and sisters in the urban context speak.Which leads to one of the few issues I have with the book. Horton defines the slang and terminology he uses in the book as "Theobonics" and he defines it as "the presentation of theological truths in the language known as ebonics, the rich slang that is part of our urban neighborhoods, especially African-Americans, to describe people and situations in the hood." Basically, it's a term he created to explain his use of slang to express theologically specific terms and ideas.That bothers me. As a Hispanic male, and fellow "minority", I would think he'd choose a better description for the terminology he uses in his book. I don't know too many African-Americans, Hispanics, or urban "non-whites" who are comfortable with the term "ebonics". This, I believe, is the main downfall of the book. I am sure that there was no ill-intent in its use. Horton is a man who seems to have a sincere love for all of God's people. This instance is just something that I personally didn't like.Aside from that, which is far from distracting, the book is good. I would recommend it principally to teens and young adults. I think it would be a great youth group study or even a personal study.Pick it up a few copies for your youth group or just one copy for the teen in your family - it's well worth it.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Publishing through the Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. I have not received payment for a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.