The hole in our gospel
I’ve just finished “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Stearns. This was one of those books I had no idea of what I was getting into. Last month it was the free download of the month on ChristianAudio.com, and I grabbed a copy of it.
I had no idea who Richard Stearns was, although the name seemed familiar. I had no idea whether he was a sound author or whether he would be one of those writers I’d stop listening to after a short time. After all, those who wrote endorsements for the book were not on my “must read” list. I was in for a surprise.
Richard Stearns of course is the President of World Vision in the United States and this book is part biography, part statistics (with an eye to compassion rather than overwhelming us) and part exhortation. And it is a compelling exhortation.
Richard Stearns stands on a vantage point that straddles the western wealth and the developing countries poverty and points the way for those of us who love Christ, but struggle with the temptations of wealth, beckoning us to follow him to help solve some of the greatest problems in the world today.
This book will open your eyes. It will be hard to read at times and hard to put down at other times. Above all, this book seeks to open our eyes to what Christians who truly wish to serve Christ with everything they have can do.
You can buy this book here (paperback), here (kindle) or here (Audio – $7.99 until July2). Whatever format you choose, read this book and let it change you.
Thanks for the comments on the book. I am cautious about books by authors I’m not exactly sure on their Theology as well. Thanks!
This book by Streans is very upsetting, first for this loose and even inaccurate use of Scripture, and second for its falsehoods on poverty and wealth. Rich sides with liberal ideology, which has obviously failed and is currently crushing the world creating more poor. To state “Death to the American Dream” and then tout World Visions micro-financing the poor, is about as strange as it gets. He will raise funds nonetheless. My heart is further crushed for the poor. Unfortunately, those who care about stating the gospel message with clarity, and who care about informing accurately on the causes and remedies of poverty will be very disappointed. We have support World Vision for 20 years. We are looking for alternatives as a result of this flawed writing.