From the Publisher
Praise for Zealous for Good Works
Often when one hears of good works, we are asked to think of salvation and being clear good works do not save. Todd Wilson’s Zealous for Good Works has used the book of Titus to take a biblical tact. Good works are about mission, evangelism, and key characteristics that build credibility to be the city on a hill, to be what God called His community to be in the world. They show what salvation is for and how mission can be fueled by a walk that matches the talk.
DARRELL L. BOCKExecutive Director for Cultural Engagement, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership andCultural Engagement;Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
God’s gospel is not only true and good; it is also beautiful. In this vibrant and practical exposition of Paul’s letter to Titus, Todd Wilson argues that the gospel is seen to be beautiful through a demonstration of good works by God’s people. Godly living is the goal of the gospel, and this is what is needed to close the church’s credibility gap and to make the gospel compelling in today’s culture. Wilson helps us to see that Paul’s instruction to Titus is as missional as it gets. Those who are tired of chasing the latest ministry fads and who want to listen again to God’s Word will be encouraged by this book. I was!
BILL KYNESPastor, Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Annandale, VA
One of the major challenges for Christ followers today is figuring out how to declare “the gospel” in a world that no longer wants to hear what we have to say. The book of Titus reminds us that it’s our good works that raise the curiosity of a watching world, which in turn opens the door of their hearts to our message. It’s the church’s version of “show andtell”! Of course Titus takes his clue from the words of Christ who, while blessing those who were marginalized for His name’s sake, reminded us that we are to be lights in our dark world. And, as Christ notes, that light is our good works, which in turn will draw people to glorify God. Thanks Todd for this relevant and practical guide to practicing our faith in ways that are compelling to a world that, while not listening, is still watching us.
JOE STOWEL
As I read Todd Wilson’s excellent new book, I was blessed by thinking about many churches that are zealous for good works. But I’m hopeful that through Todd's exposition of Titus, many more Christians will trust in God’s grace, which trains us to 'renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age' (Titus 2:12)."
COLLIN HANSENEditorial director for The Gospel Coalition and editor ofOur Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor
What a novel idea! A book on how to do mission and ministry based wholly on the Scriptures rather than choosing from among the transient directives of famous ministries. And more, to then ground the ministry on the brief, singular compass of the book of Titus. But this is where the power of Todd Wilson’s Zealous for Good Works lies—in the ordered sequence and irrefragable, Spirit-inspired, logic of the apostle Paul’s seven practices that will build “a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” and shine the gospel out to a darkening world. How grateful I am for the skillful exegesis of Dr. Wilson, a compassionate, seasoned scholar-pastor who lives it out with his wife, Katie, and their children in the bracing climate of Oak Park.
R. KENT HUGHESSenior Pastor Emeritus of College Church in Wheatonand the John Boyer Professor ofEvangelism and Culture at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia