Book Review: The Hole In Our Gospel
by
Richard Stearns
ISBN:9780785229186
The Hole In Our Gospel(henceforth “Hole”) is a disconcerting book. Richard Stearns, president of World Vision shakes the reader to his core.
Stearns chronicles his own journey to the top of the corporate ladder, his realization of the American Dream, and his call to aid the poor. It seems that Stearns had it all, and then some. God, however, had other plans for him. God’s plans were not for Stearns to stay on top of the corporate ladder, in the executive suite, and driving a Jaguar. God’s plans were for him to learn that there was indeed a hole in his (Stearns) gospel.
What is this hole? We speak of having the whole gospel, but Stearns declares that there is a hole in our gospel. What is it? “Hole” was written to show us that Jesus’ ministry as well as God’s Word speaks much to the fact that God cares much for the poor, downtrodden, destitute, and diseased. Our gospel, however, does very little to show them good news. It does very little to alleviate their sufferings.
It is precisely this hole that “Hole” seeks to fill. Stearns shows how God led him into service helping these forgotten peoples. He then calls us to recognize that we have so very much in the USA, but give so very little.
My thoughts were that this book would be a statistical sort of book that would be boring. It is not. It is a very practical and gripping book. It is also a convicting book.
“Hole” will cause the reader to examine his/her attitudes toward possessions and money. As well it should.