What is The Gospel Coalition?

TL;DR:

The Gospel Coalition (TGC) is a network of evangelical churches and pastors in the Reformed tradition who focus on preparing the next generation for gospel-centered ministry. While secondary theological debates exist, its core mission is uniting Christians around gospel-centered teaching and ministry.

what does the bible say?

The Gospel Coalition (TGC) is a Reformed evangelical network of churches and pastors committed to equipping Christians to know God’s Word, love Him fully, and engage the world with grace and truth. Founded in 2005 by D. A. Carson and Tim Keller, TGC seeks to address society’s drift from biblical truth by equipping others for gospel-centered teaching and ministry. TGC’s goals follow biblical principles such as knowing and teaching God’s Word (Deuteronomy 6:7; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16) and Jesus’ “great and first commandment” (Matthew 22:38). While debates over secondary theological issues exist, TGC emphasizes unity around the core gospel message rather than division over less central matters. TGC serves as a resource for Christians to grow in faith, disciple others, and shine God’s light in a culture that increasingly drifts from biblical truth.

from the old testament

The Gospel Coalition’s focus on biblical truth and transformed living echoes the Bible’s focus on ensuring that all generations are familiar with God’s word. Regarding His word, God commanded the Israelites, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:7).
A key goal of the Gospel Coalition was to help people know and love God fully, which was the foundation of God’s law in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5).

from the new testament

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This teaching aligns with the Gospel Coalition’s emphasis on getting people back to biblical truth.
Some have criticized The Gospel Coalition on its seemingly equal openness to continuationism and cessationism, an issue having to do with the spiritual gifts Paul discusses (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 7-11, 28; Romans 12:6-8).
As with any resource, readers should compare The Gospel Coalition's materials and publications with Scripture itself in the same way the Bereans tested Paul's message against Scripture in Acts 17:11.

implications for today

“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV). Amos’ simple rhetorical question reveals a profound truth about how a common purpose unites. The Gospel Coalition was formed with the common purpose of encouraging people to worship God with their mind, love Him fully with their heart, and engage the world with grace and truth.

These are issues that all Christians should support. While we may disagree on secondary issues, such as whether the miracle gifts have ceased, the nature of the millennium, infant versus believer’s baptism and more, these shouldn’t distract us from the main and plain truth that the world needs to hear: That “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

understand

The Gospel Coalition equips Christians to know God, love Him, and engage the world with grace.
The Gospel Coalition unites believers around the core gospel, not secondary theological debates.
The Gospel Coalition provides resources for discipleship and gospel-centered ministry in a culture drifting from biblical truth.

reflect

How are you seeking to grow in your understanding, love, and application of God’s Word?
How do your actions reflect a commitment to loving God fully and sharing His truth with others?
How do you prioritize the core gospel in your life above secondary theological disagreements or debates?

engage

How can we encourage each other to focus on the central message of the gospel rather than being distracted by open-handed theological issues?
In what practical ways can we help equip the next generation to know God, love Him, and engage the world with grace?
How do we discern and test the resources or teachings we follow to ensure they align with Scripture, similar to the Bereans in Acts 17:11?