Standing Together for the Gospel

Together for the Gospel (T4G) began as a friendship. These friends differed on a number of theological issues, but they were committed to standing together for the main thing -- the gospel of Jesus Christ. So they began a conference which occurs every two years and aims principally at encouraging other pastors to do the same -- to stand together for the gospel.

T4G is convinced that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been misrepresented, misunderstood, and marginalized in many churches and among those who proclaim the name of Christ. The goal of these friendships, conferences, and networks is therefore to reaffirm this central doctrine of the Christian faith and to encourage local churches to do the same.

Celebrate the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and its centrality to the task of faithful, biblical leadership, with Thabiti Anyabwile, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, John MacArthur, C.J. Mahaney, Albert Mohler, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul, as they assembled for the 2008 Together for the Gospel conference.

Sound Doctrine: Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry (Ligon Duncan)

We live in an age in which doctrine and theology are placed in opposition to living. Ligon Duncan demonstrates from Scripture how systematic theology is necessary, important, and unavoidable.

Panel Discussion I
C. J. Mahaney, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, and Albert Mohler discuss the origin of Together for the Gospel and look further at the importance of systematic theology in pastoral ministry.

Bearing the Image: Identity, the Work of Christ, and the Church (Thabiti Anyabwile)
Is the concept of race biblical, or is it an unbiblical idea that we have unwittingly adopted? Thabiti Anyabwile argues that Scripture knows nothing of our society's idea of race.

Panel Discussion II
In the second of six panel discussions, Thabiti Anyabwile speaks further on the subject of race and suggests several trustworthy resources on the subject.

The Sinner Neither Able Nor Willing: The Doctrine of Absolute Inability (John MacArthur)
The doctrine of total depravity may be more attacked than any other Christian doctrine. John MacArthur examines the Scripture, demonstrating that this doctrine, although despised by the world, is the truth.

Panel Discussion III
In the third of six panel discussions, the speakers expand upon John MacArthur's lecture and discuss total depravity, effectual calling, and election.

Improving the Gospel: Exercises in Unbiblical Theology (Mark Dever)
Pastors often face the temptation to make the gospel more "palatable." Mark Dever examines some of these temptations and encourages pastors to hold fast to the gospel revealed to us in Scripture.

The Curse Motif of the Atonement (R.C. Sproul)
The atonement is central to the Christian faith. In this message, R.C. Sproul discusses what it meant for Jesus, the Son of God, to bear His Father's curse on the cross.

Panel Discussion IV
In the fourth of six panel discussions, the speakers continue R.C. Sproul's discussion of the cross and the gospel as well as discouragement in the ministry and ways to overcome it.

Why Do They Hate It So? The Doctrine of Substitution (Albert Mohler)
In recent years the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement has been referred to as cosmic child abuse. Albert Mohler defends this biblical doctrine, explaining why it is central to the Christian faith.

Panel Discussion V
In the fifth of six panel discussions, the speakers discuss why professing Christians drift away from orthodoxy.

How the Supremacy of Christ Creates Radical Christian Sacrifice (John Piper)
How does the supremacy of Christ create radical Christian sacrifice for God? John Piper calls upon pastors to resist complacency and "safeness" and to have truly different, radical ministries.

Panel Discussion VI
In the final panel discussion, the speakers expand upon John Piper's message discussing what radical sacrifice means in the day-to-day life of the minister.

Sustaining a Pastor's Soul (C.J. Mahaney)
Theology is necessary for a good ministry, but the ministry also demands personal holiness. C. J. Mahaney addresses this theme, drawing upon Philippians 1:3 to encourage and challenge pastors.

T4G 2008 and T4G 2006 are available on DVD. Preaching the Cross is the book form of the 2006 messages. T4G'10 registration begins next May.