Rediscovering the Gospel: A Call to Live It Out

By Dr. Tim Orr

Below is the introduction to my new book, which will be released later this month. I will send it to the editor later today. I would love to know what you think.

Paul Stookey, a voice that shaped a generation through the iconic trio Peter, Paul, and Mary, found himself in a dark and desperate place. Depression and addiction had taken hold, leaving him adrift and searching for answers. In his turmoil, he turned to Bob Dylan, a fellow artist and seeker, and asked, “What can I do?” Dylan’s response was enigmatic yet profoundly insightful:

“Go back to the town where you grew up. Find the house where you were a child and buy it. Visit your elementary school. Search for your desk, your locker. Seek out your teachers—if they’re still alive.”

Puzzled, Stookey pressed further, “Why would I do that?” Dylan’s answer cut to the core: “Because if you can return to where you came from, you might rediscover who you were. If you can rediscover who you were, you can understand who you are. And if you can understand who you are, you can uncover who you’re meant to be.”

This story isn’t just about Stookey; it’s about us. It’s about the Church. Like Stookey, we often find ourselves lost—distracted by the noise and chaos of the world, disconnected from our purpose. Yet the answer is not in reclaiming a physical past but returning to the spiritual foundation: the gospel. The truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection calls us to rediscover who we are in Him. Returning to the gospel can help the Church understand its identity and fulfill its mission to love and serve in a broken world.

The Church's Drift from the Gospel

The Church has repeatedly lost sight of the gospel throughout history, with devastating consequences. Legalism and tradition often replaced grace, as seen in the Pharisees’ rigid rule-keeping (Matthew 9:11-13) and the medieval Church’s sale of indulgences (McGrath, 2013). In the Crusades, the Church prioritized political and territorial gains over Christ’s message of love, tarnishing its witness (Riley-Smith, 2005). Worse still, the Church’s complicity in the transatlantic slave trade and racial segregation reflected a tragic departure from the gospel’s call to justice and reconciliation (Curtis, 2017). Even today, the prosperity gospel and political alignments distort the gospel into a tool for personal gain or partisan agendas (Bowler, 2018).

But history also reminds us of the power of the gospel to renew and redirect. Reform movements like the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights advocacy have called the Church back to its roots—grace, justice, and truth. These movements underscore that no matter how far we drift, the gospel can restore our purpose and transform how we live and engage with the world (Keller, 2012).

Living Out the Gospel: A Personal Test

Recently, I was tested in my ability to live out the gospel. My mother called to tell me that the man who killed my brother in a drunk driving accident was petitioning for early release after serving only eight years of a twelve-year sentence. He was a Black man who had spent half his life behind bars. It would have been easy to write him off, to hold onto the offense and deny him grace and give in to the racism that still exists in our country. .

But the gospel reminds me of my undeserved forgiveness. Jesus died for me—a sinner—offering salvation as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). How could I, someone forgiven much, refuse to forgive this man? The gospel doesn’t nullify justice; it transforms how justice is pursued. Justice needed to be upheld, but love and grace also needed to be displayed. With the gospel as my lens, I decided to offer forgiveness. Below is the statement I read in court, a testimony to how the gospel shapes how we see others, even those who have hurt us.

Some moments in life define us and test our beliefs about justice, mercy, and forgiveness. For me, one of those moments was a short time ago. I wrote the letter to be read in court on the day of the hearing, where I shared my heart, my grief, and my plea for accountability as The hearing would determine whether Anthony Sheehy, the man who killed my brother, Shannon, in a drunk driving accident, will be released from prison four years early.

This was not about revenge; it was about justice. It’s about honoring my brother’s life, holding actions accountable, and ensuring the opportunity for true rehabilitation. But this story doesn’t stop there as the story is not just about loss but also about forgiveness, redemption, and the lifelong process of change that I believe Anthony—and all of us—must be willing to pursue.

The Letter I Read in Court ThatToday

Your Honor, Members of the Parole Board,

Thank you for allowing me to speak today. I am here to honor the memory of my brother, Shannon, whose life was stolen at the age of 46 by a choice that should never have been made. Shannon was not just my brother; he was a man full of life and love whose story was cut short.

When Shannon died, it wasn’t just his life that ended. It was the future we all imagined with him. My family will never again hear his laughter fill a room. We will never again share holidays or milestones. There will be no more phone calls to ask for advice or quiet moments of simply enjoying his presence. Shannon will never grow old. His children, his loved ones, and I—we are all serving a life sentence without him. We will never “move on” from this loss. We carry it every day.

But for me, the loss of Shannon came during a time when my heart was already broken. Just five months earlier, I lost my wife. We had just celebrated her being cancer-free by taking a trip to Disney World. It was meant to be a joyful, lasting memory—a declaration that we had come through the storm.

But one day, while driving, my wife Michelle pulled over and passed out. My six-year-old daughter was with her, sitting on her lap, trying desperately to wake her up. My wife died that day, and my daughter was left with an image no child should ever have to carry.

A few months later, I was trying to create new memories for Faith, given Michelle's passing. We planned to return to Disney World to relive that last happy trip together. But on Friday, three days before we were to leave, I received the devastating news that Shannon had been killed. Instead of taking Faith back to the place of joy we both needed, I spent that Monday preaching my brother’s funeral.

After the funeral, we left for Disney as planned, but we carried with us an impossible burden—a weight of grief that was inescapable. Every moment, every ride, every attempt at joy was shadowed by what we had lost. I was trying to give my daughter a happy memory to hold onto, but inside, we were both broken, trying to enjoy Disney World while mourning my brother’s death. The contrast was unbearable.

Shannon’s death was not just tragic; it was devastating. A choice made that night—a choice to drink and get behind the wheel—tore through our family and shattered the life we were trying to rebuild.

The man responsible for Shannon’s death, Anthony Sheehy, made that choice, and choices have consequences. Initially, the court sentenced him to 22 years, reflecting the gravity of his actions. However, a plea deal reduced that sentence to 12 years. That reduction was mercy. Today, the question before you is whether even those 12 years will be cut short.

Your Honor, this tragedy hits closer to home for me than anyone in this room might realize. Decades ago, when I was 20 years old, I stood in a courtroom like this one—Vigo County Court—after totaling two parked cars and leaving the accident scene. I could have very easily killed someone that night—someone like Shannon. My actions were reckless, and I was fortunate that no life was lost.

Six months later, I had a religious conversion that changed the trajectory of my life. But let me be clear: a single moment of conversion is not enough to undo a life of reckless choices. Real change takes time, accountability, and deeply personal work. I had to confront my brokenness, take responsibility for my actions, and allow God to transform me from the inside out. It was not easy, but God’s grace carried me forward.

Since that day, I have seen God bless my life in ways I could never have imagined. For 23 years, I had a fruitful and loving marriage until my wife passed away. Today, I have a wonderful 15-year-old daughter who is the light of my life. I have been able to rebuild and redeem my past mistakes, becoming not just a man of faith but a man of action.

I have written three books, earned six academic degrees, and spoken at institutions like Oxford University and Imperial College London. I have become a successful academic, published in peer-reviewed journals, and have served as a minister and a productive member of society. I say this not to boast but to testify to what is possible when someone fully submits to the work of transformation. My life is a testimony to the power of accountability, the grace of God, and the lifelong process of change.

I want that same transformation for Anthony Sheehy, but I believe it cannot happen if his sentence is cut short. Tim Keller teaches that forgiveness is not excusing what has been done. True forgiveness requires bearing the cost of someone’s actions and entrusting ultimate justice to God. I have forgiven Anthony—not because he asked for it or deserved it—but because I refuse to let bitterness rule my heart. But forgiveness does not cancel justice; they can and must coexist.

Justice is about accountability and creating the space for true rehabilitation. Real change cannot be rushed. If Anthony walks free today, he will lose the time he needs to wrestle with the full weight of his choices. And if he does not confront that brokenness, I fear he will walk out of prison unchanged, unprepared to return to his family or contribute meaningfully to society.

Anthony, if you are listening, I want you to hear this: I don’t want this to end your story. God can redeem anyone—He redeemed me. My hope is that you will use these next four years to allow God to change you, to face the pain you have caused, and to become the man your wife, your children, and this world need you to be. I will walk alongside you if you are willing. I will meet with you, pray with you, and offer you the same hope that changed my life—a hope that comes through Jesus Christ.

I tell the board that my family has already paid the highest price. Shannon is gone. We cannot bring him back, but we can honor his life by ensuring that justice is carried out. The balance of incarceration—punishment and rehabilitation—must not be short-circuited. Four more years in prison is not about cruelty. It is about creating the opportunity for Anthony to face what he has done, do the hard work of change, and emerge a better man.

Your Honor, members of the Board, I ask you to deny parole today. I ask you to uphold justice—not just for my brother Shannon but also for Anthony and for the society we all share. (Orr, 2024a).

Walking into the courtroom that day brought back a flood of memories. Decades ago, as a lost 20-year-old, I sat in this very courthouse, broken and contemplating the end of my life. I was a drunk driver who had caused destruction and shame, yet six months later, the gospel changed everything. In Christ, I found forgiveness, redemption, and restoration—not because I deserved it, but because of His mercy (Romans 3:23-24). That memory shaped my purpose today: to extend the same grace to Anthony. When the judge called me to speak, I shared my story, forgiveness, and belief that Anthony’s life could change. I told him directly, “I love you,” and tears filled his eyes. Perhaps he felt seen, forgiven, and valued for the first time.

Grace in Action: A Small Act with Eternal Impact

As I returned to my seat after reading the letter, the judge addressed me: “That was the most moving speech I’ve heard in my 18 years on the bench.” His words reaffirmed what I already knew—the gospel changes hearts, not just rules. The gospel’s power is found in moments of grace that open doors to transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Moved by the Holy Spirit, I added $20 to Anthony’s jail account. It wasn’t much, but it symbolized my desire to walk alongside him as he navigates the road to redemption.

After the hearing, a woman who had angrily interrupted the judge earlier approached me, her demeanor softened. “What you said was beautiful,” she whispered, her tears reflecting a heart touched by grace. This moment reminded me that grace is not only to the recipient but also to everyone who witnesses its power. As I pray for Anthony tonight, I hold onto the truth that God’s grace can penetrate even the hardest hearts and that one act of forgiveness can open the door for countless new chapters of hope and healing. (Orr, 2024b)

A Call to See Through the Lens of the Gospel

In this book, I will guide you to rediscover the gospel's transformative power and how to view your faith, other religions, and the world through its lens. The gospel isn’t just a set of doctrines or a moral code—it’s the foundation of a life lived in grace, truth, and love. Through personal stories, theological insights, and historical examples, we will explore how the gospel addresses our deepest needs, reshapes our identity, and transforms how we engage with others.

Before we explore the heart of living out the gospel, it’s important to address two challenges: the evangelical drift away from the gospel and the progressive reframing of it. The evangelical drift often arises when cultural traditions or political alignments dilute the gospel's message. At the same time, progressive reframing tends to reinterpret the gospel through contemporary ideologies, sometimes diminishing its transformative truth. In the chapters ahead, we will critically examine these tendencies, holding them up to the gospel of grace to uncover how they align—or fall short of—the fullness of Christ’s message.

From there, we will broaden our lens, exploring how the gospel provides a unique and transformative perspective on other religions and worldviews. We will look at Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormonism, and atheism through the gospel’s lens, examining their beliefs and practices in light of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. By understanding how the gospel addresses these worldviews' core questions and needs, we can more effectively engage with others in truth and love.

This journey will help us rediscover the true heart of our faith, confront distortions, and learn how to live authentically in a world desperate for hope and transformation.

References

McGrath, A. E. (2013). Christianity: An introduction (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Riley-Smith, J. (2005). The Crusades: A History (2nd ed.). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Bowler, K. (2018). Blessed: A history of the American prosperity gospel. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Curtis, E. E. (2017). The bondage of believers: Slavery and the rise of the church. New York, NY: Routledge.

Keller, T. (2012). Center Church: Doing balanced, gospel-centered ministry in your city. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).

Orr, T. (2024a). Court statement on forgiveness and justice. Personal account.

Orr, T. (2024b). Reflection on grace and transformation. Personal account.