In his latest
book, Gospel Allegiance, Matthew W.
Bates, associate professor of
theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois, takes the foundation laid in
his previous book, Salvation by Allegiance Alone, and builds the
superstructure of how these ideas can be worked out in the life of the church
and Christian witness. Whereas Salvation
was directed a little more toward academic students of theology (while still being
accessible to informed laypersons), Gospel
Allegiance brings the discussion to the local pastor and small group
leader, who may or may not have advanced formal theological training. In this
latest volume, Bates expands and expounds on the ideas first proffered in Salvation, adding two points to his
detailed definition of the gospel message, as well as getting more into a
boots-on-the-ground application of what understanding pistis (the Koine Greek word usually translated “faith”) as
allegiance entails in the process of Christian discipleship.
