How Does America Hear the Gospel?

The central argument of How Does America Hear the Gospel is that the American, middle class, suburban culture finds itself more aware of "the need of affirmation than deliverance. (133)"” In the context of unbridled American optimism and individuality, communicating the gospel becomes difficult without adulterating it. To begin with, we will require a proper entry point. "Clearly [the pain of personal failure] must be the primary arena in which the gospel must be proclaimed in America. (144)"”

Dyrness' book goes on to say that the church must learn how to be present with secular Americans in their times of loss. Losses include death or relational failure, because despite the American ability to solve problems, we find ourselves powerless in these circumstances. Christians can stand next to Americans in critical times because we feel the same powerlessness. It is in our shared powerlessness that the gospel can best be communicated.