We never know if the older son returns to the party his father has given for the safe return of his prodigal brother in Luke 15. After years of church leadership it is easier identifying with the dutiful son in the field than with the younger son basking in the grace of his dad. Judson Edwards reminds us of God’s invitation to join the party in his book, Making the Good News Good Again. His book is a refreshing summons to experience and reflect the grace of Christ with a world created to know God.

—Randel Everett
Executive Director
Baptist General Convention of Texas

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Near the end of Making Good News Good Again, Jud Edwards observes he has written a book about revival. Here’s what he says: “I’m envisioning a personal revival where people who have been Christians for a long time recover the wonder of the gospel, become one of the blessed, and start to experience the joy of their salvation.”

He got that right. Making Good News Good Again is a conversation about revival, initiated by a careful and compassionate observer of the Christian spirit. Edwards’ honesty about the trials and travails of trying to live the faith—particularly what Christians do to diminish each other—rings true. As I read this book, I couldn’t help but think about its timeliness, coming to us when countless Christians are disheartened by church conflict, dispirited by the fatigue of doing good, and discouraged by a faltering economy. Yet Edwards’ faithful patience provides new lenses for seeing the Christian life in a broader perspective, as well as for reminding us of the divine interconnection between grace and joy.

Edwards mines good news from both the Old and New Testaments. Even if you’re reserved and clumsy, you won’t be able to read his description of King David’s parade-dance before the Ark of the Covenant without wanting to dance for joy yourself. His study of Romans 8 provides glad-hearted food for a feast of thought. And his contemplation on Martin Luther’s description of God as left-handed is insight to savor.

Finally, one personal note: Edwards’ uncle, Glen Edwards, was an amazingly gracious friend, pastor and guide to countless Christians whose lives were turned outward and upward by his gentle wisdom and encouragement. With Making Good News Good Again, Jud Edwards stands shoulder-to-shoulder with his Uncle Glen as a mentor and encourager.

—Marv Knox
Editor
The Baptist Standard

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I like Judson Edward’s new book, Making the Good News Good Again. Its vintage Edwards but it shows that the vintage is improving with time. I not only warmed to his thesis and profited from his elaboration of it, but I really enjoyed getting to know him better, which the book certainly makes possible. As a “reflective Christian” ( I like his definition), I respond to the way he organizes doubts, failings and other negatives about the faith in such a way as to recognize them and defang them, rather than constantly being bushwacked by them. Judson’s stories of his family help the reader realize why he is one of those who can bless others. He was certainly blessed. While its obvious much of what he says has emerged from his preaching as well as his own story, not all can arrange such hard-won insights into a pattern that makes sense and shows a healthy spirituality that can guide others on their journeys. From his life and his pulpit, the gospel is obviously and progressively Good News.

—Jesse C. Fletcher
President Emeritus
Hardin Simmons University

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Jud Edwards is an honest man and a trustworthy companion on the spiritual journey. He knows how easily the gospel can be tamed and manipulated by the church (and even by pastors!) until it becomes something it is not-enslaving, rather than liberating. Over and over again, Jud calls us back to the freedom and freshness of the good news, which alone can save and heal us. Whether you are new to the faith or need a renewal of it, Making the Good News Good Again will make the good news good again.

—Rev. Dr. George A. Mason
Senior Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church
The Baptist Standard

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In Making the Good News Good Again, Jud Edwards strained at a book of laws and coughed up a prize: the end of religion and the beginning of freedom in grace! It sounds great but scary, too. Like Jesus’ stories, Edwards books are easy to read, but harder to embrace. For Edwards, religion means laws but we like laws. Laws give us a way to keep score and feel good about ourselves, superior to others. Edwards argues that’s the problem. Until laws are replaced by freedom in grace there is no joy in Mudville, no wonder in your church.

—Robert Flynn
Author of Growing Up a Sullen Baptist, Slouching Toward Zion,
In the House of the Lord, and other books

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I have read every book that my friend Jud Edwards has written. His life and ministry has always been about recovering the wonder of the Gospel. His consistent honesty and keen insights in Making the Good News Good Again will fill your soul like a good plate of BBQ in the pit of a hungry stomach. Isn’t it time you had a heapin’ plate of Good News?

—Tim S. Willis
Retired College Minister, Intentional Interim Pastor and BBQ Connoisseur

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