"Fool's Gold"

In a postmodern culture, discernment seems rather silly. Many in our culture, and even in our churches, have ceased to discern between what is right and wrong, true and lie, and correct doctrine and erroroneas doctrine. Most, when told to discern, simply roll their eyes and move on with their lives. No wonder so much false teaching is in the world and people are buying into it. We have lost the art of discernment.

John MacArthur has edited a book called, "Fool's Gold: Discerning Truth in an Age of Error.," that raises some issues that too many have ignored and feared to bring up. First of all, nobody wants to read about the importance of discernment. Discernment means that someone is wrong and needs to be correct. That strikes of intolerence, bigotry, and divisiveness. These serve as three of the greatest sins in our culture today.

Secondly, MacArthur and the contributing authors, call persons and books out. Perhaps the most interesting sections of the book regarded discernment at a Christian bookstore. I worked at a Christian bookstore and I could not agree with him more. MacArthur find particular distaste for Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life," John Elderedge's "Wild at Heart," the Revolve Biblezine, and other books and products one could find easily at most Christian bookstores. The point of this section shows that most Christians are so ignorant of the faith they believe that most of what they find at a Christian bookstore is orthodox and provides valuable help for their spiritual life. In reality, MacArthur points out, Christian bookstores are full of products that present erroneous doctrine. Serious discernment is needed as we shop.

Thirdly, MacArthur deals with issues that many Christians wish to avoid. One interesting chapter dealt with altar calls and their dangers. Although I find good reason to have an altar call at the end of each service, some of the book's critique is helpful and insightful. But it was the chapters on politics and on consumerism interesting. For one, these are the things that the Emerging Church are protesting against Evangelicals. Emergents criticize Evangelicals for being too married to the Republican Party and find the Religious Right to be particularly dangerous to the gospel. There is some merit in such a critique, however, Emergents are guilty of the same sin on the other end of the spectrum. They refer to themselves as "Progressive Evangelicals" and "Red-Letter Christians."

But the discussion on consumerism I found quit insightful. The book points out the dangers of treating church like the mall. We come to the worship seeking entertainment and seek churches most appealing to us. The book argues that such erroneous view is dangerous. We do not attend worship to be entertained but to worship.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Although I wish there was a chapter on Joel Osteen and other televangelists, I found it quit thorough and appropriate. At times, the authors seem nickpicky with some of their criticisms, but overall, the authors provide an insightful look on various issues.

Most importantly, we must heed the purpose of the book: Christians must become more discerning in their faith. So much rotten false teaching in our Church today is a direct result of our members not practicing discernment. The gospel is something that we should not trivialize or minimalize. Yet, that is exactly what the Church is doing.

"The Vanishing Conscience"

There is no less popular doctrine in Christianity than sin. All that is hated about Christianity is essentially rooted in this one doctrine: hell, judgment, wrath, demand for repentance, vengeance, etc. Truth is, the call for man to repent from his own sins goes against everything man has told himself his entire life.

John MacArthur has written a fascinating book, "The Vanishing Conscience: Drawing the Line in a No-Faith, Guilt-Free World. on sin and its importance regarding the gospel. He begins by surveying how the culture views sin. In short, the culture has done all that it can to so minimize the doctrine and necessity of sin that the notion of such an idea is virtually non-existent. He argues that the rise of modern psychology is a major threat to the gospel. Psychology suggests that our problem isn't sin, but guilt. Not that we are guilty of wronging God, but we are guilty of feeling guilty. Guilt is the great sin to our culture. Therefore, we emphasize self-esteem and self-help remedies all in hopes of removing guilt.

As a result, our culture has become guilt-free. We would rather pat ourselves on our backs rather than submit in sackcloth in ashes. Modern psychology, MacArthur rightly argues, has convinced man of his innate goodness rather than his own depravity. Such a conviction convinces the sinner that they are in right standing before God. Nothing could be farther from the truth and nothing hinders the unredeemed from turning to the gospel.

This, I am assuming, is one of MacArthur's least popular books. Who wants to hear this message in our culture? That's the whole point. It isn't just our culture that is turned off by the concept of sin, but every human hates such a doctrine. The doctrine of sin is offensive to all humans. But unless we guide others into understanding their lostness and desperate state before God, no one will turn to the gospel. The gospel is an offense. We'll just have to get over it.

But MacArthur doesn't just offer a message of "you're a sinner, you need to repent," but offers practical ways in which the redeemed soul can strive towards holiness after conversion. I found this helpful and almost uncharacteristic of MacArthur. Usually, he is straightforward in exhorting us on what to do, but usually does little on how to do it. In this book, however, MacArthur spends a good bit of time on conquering sin our lives.

This is an interesting book and a rare book at that. It is difficult to find a book in our culture solely on the issue of sin, the conscience, and how to conquer sin in our lives. It is rare to read a book that takes what Scripture says on the subject as a whole and boil it down into simple words that almost anyone can understand. I recommend this book, not because it is the best written by MacArthur, but because its message remains relevant today. Man continues to believe that they are innately good when in fact they are innately evil. Such a conviction creates a lot of problems and MacArthur helps the reader overcome sin and understand how the culture deals with the doctrine and how it tries to deny it.

"Can God Bless America?"

After the attacks on 9/11 a lot of Americans were searching. John MacArthur found himself writing. In wake of those tragic events, many turned, seemingly, to God. We began singing "God Bless America" while turning in spirituality in ways this generation had not seen before. Americans wanted nothing more than to be blessed by God. We wanted vengeance, protection, victory, and safety. But should we expect it? Should God really bless us?

MacArthur found himself perplexed. Scripture is clear on what it takes for a nation to received the blessings of God: repentance and obedience. Yet rather than repent, Americans turned to mere spirituality that left us in our sin. We sought comfort, just not confrontation. We wanted to be consoled, not reminded that we are all sinners deserving of far worse.

The author, then, wrote his little book, "Can God Bless America?: The Biblical Pathway to Blessing" in order to show our nation what it takes for us to receive God's blessing and why it is so urgent for us to receive it.

Although the book is short, it is quit eye opening. MacArthur calls out our hypocrisy. Most Americans, to this day, want God's favor, we just don't want God. We want God to give with nothing in return. We think that we can demand of God rather than God demand of us. MacArthur calls us back to the truth: God is in command, God makes the demands. We are called to submit, repent, and receive the grace of God. And as long as our culture remains content with our sin, the more likely we will receive, not God's blessing, but His curse.

Such words are too strong for our culture. We are soaked in our national pride and have convinced ourselves that we are too special to receive God's curse. Yet, the Biblical record makes clear that a culture engulfed in sin like ours is not deserving of God's blessings but only His curse.

But there is hope. MacArthur shows his readers that we can repent, we can receive God's blessings. He offers various Biblical examples such as Nineveh in the book of Jonah to prove his point. If we repent, truly repent, like Nineveh, God will bless us. But if we continue to compromise and dive deeper and deeper into morality, God will judge us however He sees fit (see Rom. 1). Although such words are hard on the ears, they need to break our hearts. Let us, as a nation and culture, heed his words and repent. Let us as Christians offer the gospel, not the watered-down message we have been feeding everybody. The moment we Christians diluted our message was the minute we turned away from God. Lord forgive us for such sin.

"A Gardener Looks at the Fruit of the Spirit"

I have recently recommended Philip Keller's book, "A Gardener Looks at the Fruit of the Spirit," at my pastors blog. You can read my recommendation by clicking here.

"The Prodigal God"

Timothy Keller is becoming a growing influential voice in Evangelicalism. He has served as a pastor in New York and his ministry has flourished there His previous book, "The Reason for God" is compelling and reveals his experience as a pastor in a culture where such knowledge is needed. Keller has a unique ability to penetrate through a postmodern culture with the undiluted gospel.

And this is what "The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith" is all about: the gospel. Keller lays out the gospel using Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son. Keller points out that this parable has been misused and misinterpreted throughout the years primarily because, as the commonly used title suggests, most only focus on the actions of the first son. Keller points out, and rightfully so, that the story isn't just about the first son, the prodigal son, but also about the other son. Both are guilty of wronging their fathers, and both represent two ways of sinning against God. Through these two sons, in this infamous parable of Jesus, we are given a clear description of what it means to be lost and what it means to be saved.

There are a couple of things that I really appreciated about this book. First, Keller took the time to discuss the background to this story. Throughout the book Keller explains why certain details where important and how the original readers would have reacted to it. This is important. Too often we want application for today so much that we ignore the original purpose of the text. Therefore, we read into the text things that aren't there or we read the text as if it were being written in today's culture. Rather, we must, as Keller illustrates here, understand the original hearers, what the author originally intended, and from there gain application. Although at times I felt that Keller left out needed details of the story, he nonetheless illustrates the power and importance of looking into the historical background as part of accurate exegesis.

The second thing I enjoyed was his emphasis on an active gospel. Sadly, too many Christians think that being a Christian is nothing more than saying "I do" and yet never do. In other words, many Christians believe in Jesus they just haven't repented. Keller stands against such a tide. He does not suggest that we are saved by works, he in fact is very much against such a notion. Rather, he makes it clear that unless there are clear signs of repentance, we are not truly saved and he uses this story as a launching pad for such a discussion.

Tim Keller, and I would add Mark Driscoll and others with them, is everything that I wish movements like the Emerging Church were. They understand the culture and are able to adapt to the culture without compromising or diluting the gospel. For fans of Keller, you will not be disappointed with this book. Although it is not as deep as his previous book, it is an important addition to your book shelf nonetheless.

"The Case For Easter"

I have recently read and recommended the book, "The Case For Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection," by Lee Strobel. You can read that recommendation by clicking here.

John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology"

Although I consider myself a Calvinist, I am no giddy Calvinist. I have been in a Calvinist seminary environment for six years now and I know the dangers of being a giddy Calvinist. I have read and studied Calvinism, Reformation theology, Ariminianism, and many of the other theological arguments. I am, although not a full fledged 5 pointer, a Calvinist, but sadly, due to persons false preconceived notions on every side of the debate, such a label carries unfortunate implications.

I enjoy studying the Reformation, but when it comes to Calvin, I always seem to keep a distance away primarily because I have studied in a culture that sees John Calvin as the greatest thing since before sliced bread. Unfortunately, and Calvinist are not the only guilty of this, many turn to Calvin before turning to Scripture for answers or they will read Scripture through the lenses of Calvin. Both are dangerous, and thus we always watchful.



But I came across a book about Calvin that I found interesting. It was a book of theology with biographical sketches throughout it that included chapters written by men in whom I deeply respect such as Dr. John MacArthur, Jerry Bridges, Philip Graham Ryken, and others. I picked up the book and after a few weeks of sitting on my shelf, I decided to go ahead and read, "John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology."



I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. This was not just another, "10 Reasons why Calvinism is right and Arminism is wrong," or "A Biblical Argument for the Five Points of Calvinism," or "Why I am a Calvinist." Rather, it is a good summary of John Calvin, his theology, his ministry, his writings, his works, his preaching, and his life. The editor, Burk Parsons, offers a book that surpassed my expectations. I was expecting more of the same, and what I got was more of what I have been wanting.

The book begins with a chapter contributed by Parsons on "The Humility of Calvin's Calvinism." It is basically the foundation for why he has edited such a book. But I love how it starts because I find myself in these words:

It has not been my habit to refer to myself as a Calvinist; if memory serves, I have never done so, primarily because I don't think John Calvin would want me to. In fact, whenever another Christian asks me what I am . . ., I respond simply, 'I am a Christian.' Nevertheless, if I were ever truly pressed on the matter of being a Calvinist, I suppose I would respond by saying, 'Yes, I am a Calvinist because I am a Christian, and I am a Christian because I believe the gospel.' (1)

The issue for Parsons, and for me, isn't Calvin or Calvinism, but the gospel. Christians would do themselves good if we focused primarily on the gospel and celebrated the contributions of great men of theology like Calvin in light of the gospel rather than celebrate the gospel in light of men like Calvin. Oftentimes, Calvinists are primarily attracted to Calvinism, not just the gospel. In the same way, anti-Calvinist are primarily attracted to anti-Calvinism, not just the gospel. It seems best, at least to me, to declare ourselves to be Christians first and Calvinist/Arminians/or whatever, second.


I also enjoyed the historical surveys that the book provides. The book, as I have already said, is not just a book of theology or just a book on the 5 points of Calvinism. Many of the opening chapters cover his life, his ministry, his preaching, and his books and letters. It is refreshing to put Calvinism in Calvin's context. Calvin was a pastor who had to meet the needs of his flock everyday on top of leading the Reformation in Geneva and elsewhere.

Perhaps most interesting in this section of history and ministry was the discussion on Calvin's evangelism and missions emphasis. Perhaps the number one accusation against Calvin and Calvinism is that if God elects those who will be saved, then there is no reason to evangelize. Nice try, but Calvin, and Biblical Calvinist, do.

Harry Reeder points out that 88 missionaries were sent out from Geneva (68) and Calvin was actively involved in spreading the gospel and planting churches, primarily by training and sending missionaries, to a number of countries including "Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Germany, England, Scotland, and the independent states of the Rhineland" (68). He furthermore had initiatives in Brazil. But we cannot forget the influence Calvin had in spreading the gospel, primarily through Reformation theology, through his books, especially The Institutes, his writings, letters, and sermons. My ancestor, John Craig became a colleague of John Knox in the Reform in Scotland and was converted after reading Calvin's Institutes.

In addition to the history, there is also the theology. Parsons includes chapters that cover each of the five points of Calvinism. Although these are not the only theological chapters, anyone reading about Calvin must deal with these issues. My favorite, and perhaps I am bias, was the chapter written by John MacArthur on Total Depravity. He Begins

False belief systems always seem to downplay human depravity. Some even deny it altogether, insisting that people are fundamentally good. This is a tendency of nearly all quasi-Christian heresies, humanistic philosophies, and secular worldviews. Apostles of those religions and philosophies seem to think describing human nature in upbeat and optimistic terms somehow makes their viewpoint nobler. The fact alone perfectly epitomizes the blind illogic that goes hand in hand with unbelief and false religion. After all, humanity's moral dilemma should be patently obvious to anyone who seriously considers the problem of evil. As G. K. Chesterton famously remarked, original sin is the one point of Christian theology that easily can be proved empirically. (129)

MacArthur not only provides a Biblical case for Total Depravity, but also surveys other viewpoints such as Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism, and Arminianism. He looks at Augustine, original sin, and other critical issues and persons. MacArthur concludes with the necessity of the doctrine of Total Depravity by saying "to magnify human free will or minimize the extent of human depravity is to downplay the need for divine grace, and that undermines every aspect of gospel truth." (138)

In all, this is a must read for all Calvinist, all Christians, and all seekers. Those who think they know Calvinism should come here first and find out what Calvinism really is. Parsons has brought together some of the greatest minds in Calvinism today and put their knowledge, learning, and ability together into one book regarding a controversial, yet critically important man.

Walking away I am reminded that Calvin was more than 5 points. He was a man, a pastor, a theologian, a counselor, a writer, a preacher, and most importantly, a Christian who sought to bring God's glory and His gospel to men.

"Christ, Our Righteousness"

Dr. Seifrid has written an in-depth and compelling book concerning Paul’s theology of justification and righteousness titled, "Christ, Our Righteousness: Paul’s Theology of Justification." The author looks deeply at the Biblical text to find exactly what Paul meant by such concepts and words. What does it mean to us as believers to say that we are justified? And how are we to interpret the words of Paul and the rest of the words of Scripture? These are but a few of the many issues the Seifrid deals with.

Dr. Seifrid begins his book discussing Paul’s conversion. Luke gives Paul’s conversion experience three times in the book of Acts and we can look elsewhere in Pauline literature to find references to Paul’s past and his conversion that help give us insight on Paul’s understanding of justification and righteousness.

The main thrust of this chapter is that Paul’s conversion shows that Christ justifies the ungodly. This is seen in how is described before he was saved. Scripture describes Paul as being one who was zealous in the Hebrew faith, but rejected Christ and even persecuted the Church. It is then, on the Damascus road, that Christ justifies the ungodly man by saving him.

From there, the author continues to discuss Paul’s theology of justification in light of the book of Romans. Dr. Seifrid focuses primarily on Romans 1-8 since this is the main thrust of Paul’s argument on justification. Romans is a key book in understanding New Testament sotierology. And so, the author takes the reader chapter by chapter through Romans explaining how the text relates to Paul’s understanding of justification.

Afterward, he moves on to other passages in Paul’s letters that relate to justification. Seifrid discusses passages in Galatians, 1-2 Corinthians, Philippians, the Pastoral letters, and the Prison Epistles. The goal in to show Paul’s overarching theology of justification. Though the book of Romans does give us our most insight into Paul’s teaching, it is helpful to look at all of his letters in order to get a true understanding of his theology.

Next, the author discusses the issue of justification by faith and a life of works. This is an issue that has been debated over the centuries and is still a hot issue today, especially among Protestants and Catholics. Seifrid’s goal here is not to simply rehash old arguments but to give the reader Paul’s original meaning and application of his words. Are we just justified by faith? What role does works have in the lives of believers?

The next chapter looks specifically at how God deals with Israel and other "peoples." Seifrid spends much time looking at Romans 9-11 as it relates to Israel and their rejection of the gospel. Here, the author gives a detailed description of why Israel has rejected their Messiah and how God is dealing with His people today. This issue provides even more insight into Paul’s theology of justification.

The last and final chapter deals with a range of issues that have been brought up throughout the book. The author begins by discussing some of his main sources for the book and how he agrees, disagrees, and differs with the authors. He also deals with the issue of Paul and James as it relates to justification by faith. This is the real source behind much of the debate over justification for some see James and Paul as contradictory, while others see them as making the same argument in different ways. Seifrid walks us through the debate and shows us what the apostles originally meant and how we are to interpret them.

In terms of critical review, Dr. Seifrids book is very interesting and very detailed. After reading his work I feel that no stone was left unturned. The author provides a thorough insight and survey of the apostles argument and theology and the reader leaves with a better understanding of the Biblical text and what it says concerning justification.

There is much to praise the author for in this book. First, the use of the Biblical text was insightful and important. It is clear that the author bases his argument on the words of Scripture and not on his own beliefs or opinions. In fact, it seemed like at times that the author could not finish a sentence without at least referencing a verse or passage of Scripture.

This is critical to the subject at hand. How can one know Paul’s theology of justification without first seeking out what he actually said? The author not only quotes a few verses but puts them in context in order to explain what Paul originally meant by the words. Likewise, the author manages to take all of the many passages of Scripture he references and put them in a way that the reader can follow and understand. Seifrid does not just simply quote verse after verse but guides the reader into understanding those verses and gives the reason for their importance.

I enjoyed that the author didn’t just limit his readers to the apostle Paul but also showed how he is in complete unison with the whole of Scripture. After giving his much detailed account of Pauline theology, the author then marches us through the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, Petrine theology, and the rest of the New Testament writings. I found his very encouraging and powerful because it indirectly emphasized an important point concerning Scripture; that it is a book completely inspired by the Spirit and is consistent in all of it’s teachings.

The chapter on Romans, I believe, was one of the most important chapters in the book. In this chapter the author took his time in following the apostles argument and explaining what the apostle meant. Seifrid was always mindful of not putting words into Paul’s mouth but rather paid careful to what he was trying to convey when writing to the Romans. In the end, Seifrid reminds us of how important Romans is to our understanding of justification and ultimately to our way of salvation.

What I find to be interesting is that though the chapter on Romans was very helpful and insightful, the author did not just stop there. After a much detailed and thorough look at Romans, the author moves on to the rest of Paul’s letters. I found this to be appropriate and the right approach. How are we going to know Paul’s overall teaching on justification if we only look at one book? And so, the author treats all of the other appropriate texts with the same careful and detailed description of what the apostle meant and how it relates to justification.

I must also praise the authors discussion on Paul’s conversion. I felt like this really set up the rest of the book very well. Beginning at Paul’s conversion was the best place to start. As we would expect, the author did not simply retell Luke’s account of his conversion, but rather gave an insightful look at who Paul was before he was saved, what happened that led to his conversion, and how Paul understood justification as a result.

Seifrid first looks at Paul’s life prior to his salvation. This was a great description of who Paul was prior to his justification. The author shows the reader that Paul was anything but "worthy" of being saved. Paul was a murderer, persecutor, and hater of the Church. He, like many of the Jews, had rejected Christ, His message, and the salvation He brings. Paul’s zealousness towards Judaism made him a very ungodly person, and since God justified Paul and saved him, the author argues, then the act of justification is for the ungodly.

The author takes all of the appropriate texts and deals with them all. He looks at Paul’s life as a Jew, religious leader, and persecutor prior to his conversion. He does so in a way that paints a realistic and accurate picture of who Paul was. From there, the author paints another picture of Paul that shows the drastic change that the gospel can take place in the human heart. Seifrid then takes this conversion moment in Paul’s life and begins to unravel how it shaped his theology through his letters.

Another thing I enjoyed in Seifrid’s book was his discussion on the issue of the law of God. Here, once again, the author presents a detailed account at what the Biblical text says and how we are to interpret it. He is not afraid to deal with some of the difficult issue that these passages of Scripture bring up. And with academic precision and the power of the Scriptures, the author deals with them with clarity and with conviction.

This chapter is very specific and important as the author unravels the heart of Paul’s teaching of justification. To do so, he looks at different phrases of Paul such as "works of the law" and "letter." While discussing these terms and phrases, the author takes the time to look at Scripture as a whole and dives in to the specific meaning of them within the Biblical text and what they imply.

And so, once again, he looks at specific passages in Paul’s letters, including the book of Romans. His goal is to come to a complete consensus of what the apostle taught and meant by these words and phrases. He achieves his goal due to his immense Biblical support.

One of the best phrases from this chapter is, "the ‘works of the law’ cannot satisfy the demand of the law, because they cannot change the idolatrous human being from whom they proceed (103)." This is a powerful statement and really sums up Paul’s understanding of the law.

The law itself reveals to us our sin and our inability to save ourselves. Therefore, we need a Savior who can be sin for us. This is exactly the purpose of Paul and the point he makes throughout his letters and the author makes that clear in his book.

I must also say that I was impressed with this book not just because of it’s use of Scripture and the authors ability to defend his stance, but also because it did not fulfill my primary fear. Prior to reading Christ, Our Righteousness I feared that it would be yet another book I had to read about Calvinism. I consider myself a Calvinist, but I do not get overworked over the subject, and I feared that this was another book that defended and argued in favor of the five points of Calvinism.

However, in spite of this assumption, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book was anything but a thesis for Calvinism. The author, though a Calvinist, was not interested in straying from the topic at hand even though the temptation would have showed itself frequently. Therefore I must praise the author for never losing sight of his thesis and staying true to the purpose of the books.

Though the author does make it clear his stance on issues like election and depravity, he does not overdue it. Too many today would take the temptation and only focus on those issues. Seifrid, however, only says what needs to be said and moves on. He does not deny his Calvinistic beliefs, but does not make it his primary focus. This book was not a defense of Calvinism, as I feared that it would be, but rather a look at Paul’s theology on justification and righteousness which does includes some of the five points of Calvinism.

Finally, I really enjoyed Seifrid’s discussion on justification and obedience. It was interesting and very insightful concerning how it relates to Paul’s theology of justification.

It is clear, according to the author, that we are not saved by works but by justification alone. Works have no room in our redemption, but that does not mean that works has no room in the life of the believer. Dr. Seifrid makes it clear that we are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ but we are judged according to our obedience and works. The reader is led straight to the Scriptures and know that the author is not formulating his argument from tradition, but from a firm conviction of Scripture.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was the authors treatment of the debate between James and Paul. Many throughout the centuries have seen these two apostles as contradictory or teaching salvation by works and faith. The author makes it clear that both of these interpretations are wrong. Paul and James are in unison with one another and he shows us what the apostles meant and how it relates to the Biblical understanding of justification and righteousness. This is a great treatment of the text that is clear and precise.

Though there are many things to praise the author in this book, there are a few things I must challenge. One of the things I didn’t care for was that though the author dealt with all of the necessary issues at hand he did at times chase rabbits.

Throughout the book, the author would reference books and make quick statements that would leave me confused and lost. It is clear that the author had thoroughly studied and prepared for this book and that is most obvious in his argument and references, but at times the author pauses from his main thrust just to make it clear what he thinks about other books and authors.
These were not personal attacks at all, but were honest critiques of their work and where the author stands on certain issues. Where I was most confused and frustrated was were the author would interrupt the book, whether in footnotes or actual text in the book, just to make quick comments concerning an almost different topic.

As I read, I always try to read all of the footnotes the author has. I do this for additional information that I might miss or information that might help me follow the authors argument, and because I want to know where the author is getting his information, who he is referring to, and a source that I might go to in order to obtain more information. I found myself in this book, at times, not wanting to read the footnotes in fear of having to chase the authors rabbits.

This, again, was not a major issue throughout the book. I found the author, for the most part, staying on course with the subject at hand, but there were several moments throughout the book that distracted me from what he was trying to argue. Footnotes are great, but at times we can overuse them and loose our audience and this is precisely what happened to me, on a number of occasions, as I continued to read.

Another area of critique is concerning the amount of detail and depth the author includes in his book. The audience is clearly not new born again believers. However, I found the authors use of Scripture so overwhelming that I, at times, had to reread sentences, paragraphs, and even pages because I would get lost in verses. Please do not misunderstand me, I really enjoyed the author’s powerful use of Scripture throughout the entire book, but at times I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t keep up.

Also, the author was so deep and so intense that even a seminary student with years of theological education had a hard time keeping up. The research and biblical support of the authors was amazing and should be applauded, but it was very overwhelming for the reader. The author could have, at times, simply paused and explained what the different Biblical text meant as a whole before going on. The author is intelligent and wise, but many readers would be utterly lost if they dove into the argument.

The author is so detailed and so in-depth that I did have trouble understanding his overarching argument he was presenting. This meant that I could not simply browse through the book and know what the author was trying to say, rather I had to take my time and read the text carefully. This was fine with me for I enjoyed the book, but what frustrated me was the clarity of the chapter summaries and conclusions at the end. It was as if there were two different authors in the book. One author was very deep and difficult to get through that wrote the body of the chapters. On the other hand, there seems like a different author was writing the conclusions because they were very clear, precise, and understandable.

This is what frustrated me. I would struggle throughout the chapter to just come to the end and have the author boil it all down into a few paragraphs. I was tempted to simply skip the majority of the chapter and go straight to the end. Perhaps the skill in clarity the author employed at the end of each chapter could have been done throughout the book in order to help readers like me better understand what the author was trying to say.

Obviously these critiques thus far seem picky and may not seem to deal with the substance of the authors argument. This is because his argument was very biblical and there is not much I find myself in disagreement with. The authors views concerning justification, righteousness, the role of works in the believers lives, the interpretation of Scripture, etc. I found myself in complete agreement with.

However, there is one other thing that I would like to know more is what the author’s opinion is on systematic sotierology? In the lost chapter of the book, the author seems to not favor of an order of salvation. He does not expand on the issue and I wish he had done so.

The reason for this is because it stands out against of much of what I have learned at Southern. The theology classes are very systematic and they do teach an order of salvation. Dr. Seifrid seems to stand out among all of the classes and professors I have had, and I believe that it is for the good.

Obviously, there is some things we can "put in order" in terms of our salvation. For example, election must come first. But I have always wondered in what order do you place justification, adoption, regeneration, etc.? I’m not for sure that the Biblical text gives us an order of some of these things.

I was both surprised and pleased to see the author mentioning this subject especially in a book concerning Paul’s sotierology. I did not exactly expect the author to mention the subject, but was glad that he did. However, I do wish that he had expanded on the subject. Most seminary students who read this book may have similar interest and questions concerning systematizing our salvation.

Overall, Dr. Seifrid’s book was very well done and well written. His use of Scripture is profound and he isn’t afraid to deal with the issues necessary while defending his positions. The author has clearly thought through all of the issues and delivers them in an academic formula that is in-depth and thought provoking.

Christ, Our Righteousness stands out among books of it’s genre because of it’s ability to communicate difficult issues and make his argument based on the Biblical text. The book is thought provoking, challenging, and relevant. Dr. Seifrid doesn’t just look at the apostle Paul’s letters, but also shows the reader how Paul is in unison with the rest of the Biblical writers.
For seminary students, this is a great theological book that we must all read at one point. It deals with the issues that we all love and answers many questions in light of Scripture and looks at the issue from all perspective. It is a must read and makes a proud addition to any ministers library.

"The Cost of Discipleship"

Dietrich Bonhoeffer has become a much loved author since his day. Over a half century after his death, Bonhoeffer has continued to inspire believers in his writings and in his life. In "The Cost of Discipleship" the author continues his legacy of inspiring believers. Here, he leads the reader into a deeper relationship with Christ by way of true Biblical discipleship. This is our calling as believers, and Bonhoeffer shows us what that means and how we can be real disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bonhoeffer breaks his book down into four sections. The first section discusses grace and how it relates with discipleship. Chapter one essentially sets up the first section and even the entire book by discussing "cheap grace." We make grace cheap by making it too easy without teaching and preaching what grace implies. To often in our society, grace is essentially a prayer you can say and then your done. If the truth be told, whenever we take hold of grace, we are bound to follow Christ.

This idea of following Christ is essential for the Christian. And so the author spends some time on the subject. Discipleship becomes the very life of the believer. Bonhoeffer gives passage after passage revealing this truth, discipleship is the expectation of the believer, and we are all called to follow Christ.

From there, Bonhoeffer writes about how discipleship entails obedience and suffering. Any believer that does not obey is not a believer. This does not mean that we are saved by works, but rather that the believer, once he is saved, is changed radically to where he becomes a disciple of Christ and lives a life that reflects his regeneration. This means that the believer will in fact face persecution and suffering. Church history, and the present, prove this point. Christ, Himself, suffered and was persecuted, and believers must expect the same.

In part two, Bonhoeffer continues his discussion on discipleship by looking at the Sermon on the Mount. Here, the author shows us what Jesus expected of the believer in their lives. And so, we are taken through the great sermon verse by verse and line by line. The author explains what it means and how it is applied in order to show what true discipleship looks like according to Jesus.
Part three is several short chapters that looks at Matthew 9:35-10:42. In these chapters, the author looks at these issues and how they relate to discipleship. For example, since the harvest is plentiful, we better get to work, and so forth. Like part two, the author breaks down each passage, explains it, and applies it.

Finally, Bonhoeffer looks at several specific topics in the Christian life. These issues include baptism, the Body of Christ, the visible and invisible Church, etc. In each of these chapters, the author shows the reader what the Bible has to say about it and how true disciples apply these things.

In terms of critical review, I must say that Bonhoeffer’s book was much better than I thought it would be. I expected to read a dry, boring book written in English that I wouldn’t understand. This assumption proved to be false. Of all of the many require books I have had to read since being in school, this ranks as being one of my favorites. Bonhoeffer doesn’t beat around the bush. He has one objective that runs throughout the book; to lead believers to become true disciples of Christ.

Among my favorite chapters in the book is the first which sets up the rest of the book. In fact, Bonhoeffer comes out swinging. He makes it very clear that grace is not cheap even though that is the trend in modern evangelicalism. If the reader where to skip this chapter or miss his argument, I fear that the rest of the book would not be as powerful. Here, Bonhoeffer sets up everything else he discusses. As I continued to turn the pages, I was drawn into his argument and had to face the facts myself; Christ expects more out of us than we are giving Him. Grace is not cheap.

Also, he brings up that a believer is defined by his faith and by his obedience to that faith. He says, "only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes (63)." This is an issue that many believers, especially Protestants, completely miss. Since the Reformation, many fear to sound like they believe that we are saved by works and faith (as does Roman Catholic Church). Therefore, many who read men like Bonhoeffer assume that this is his meaning; we are saved by faith and works. This is not true at all. Bonhoeffer brilliantly shows that a believer is defined by his obedience. One cannot say that they are saved unless they can prove it by their actions and discipleship. The author manages to take this often misunderstood issue, explain it clearly, and give Biblical support to back it up.

From there, I must praise the author for his realism. Bonhoeffer doesn’t ignore the fact that true discipleship will result in suffering and hard times. He prepares the reader for this inevitable consequence and gives advice and comfort to them at the same time. He shows us how Christ suffered, why He suffered, why we suffer, and how we can make it through. The true disciple, he says, will strive through such rejection and hardships faithfully and will end up closer to the Lord.

Of course, the author doesn’t just tell us to expect to be hated by the world and to expect suffering from a world that is tainted with sin, but he shows us what Christ has to say about it. He begins by pointing us to Matthew 8 where Christ rebukes Peter by telling Satan to get behind Him. From there, Christ explains that whoever desires to loose his life will save it. And the passage ends with the call to follow Christ. Bonhoeffer zooms in on this theme and gives the reader words to fear, and yet, at the same time, words of comfort by reminding them that they are doing the will of Jesus.

Part two is a survey of the Sermon on the Mount and how it relates to discipleship. I found this section very helpful and encouraging. The author takes each verse and explains what Jesus meant in a clear, precise way in order for us to know what it means. This is no commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, for there were already many in his day, but rather is a quick survey to show the reader how Jesus expects us to follow him.

And so, Bonhoeffer takes the reader to the text of Scripture. This is what makes Bonhoeffer so powerful. His use of Scripture reminds the reader of the need for discipleship and how we can go about to fulfill this role in our lives. This is very comforting for the reader knowing that the author is leading them down the right path.

The author isn’t afraid to even take the reader to the Greek text of Scripture. Most authors may fear to do so and loose the reader. Bonhoeffer, however, treats the original language with clear language that doesn’t loose or confuse the reader. Even those who do not know any Greek can read his words and understand them.

And so, as we would expect, his walk through Jesus’ great sermon is powerful, important, and applicable. He makes it clear how prayer, giving, revenge, how we relate to our brother, etc., affects our discipleship and walk with Christ.

I especially enjoyed the sections on marriage and righteousness. In these chapters, Bonhoeffer doesn’t just quickly run through what Jesus meant, but gives much of the pivotal background information needed for the right interpretation of what Jesus said. He takes us first to the Old Testament. He shows us that Christ didn’t come to destroy the law, but through His righteousness, death, resurrection, etc., He has come as the fulfillment of it.

He goes on, from there, to show that Christ calls us to be righteous just as He is. What a challenge that is! This is no small goal, but we must not give up on that calling. Discipleship involves us living a life that is a mirror image of who Christ was and is. How Christ lived should be how we live today. This is not an option, Bonhoeffer points out, but our calling as believers. We must not just simply be righteous like the Pharisees and religious leaders, but rather practice true righteousness and be like Christ.

As he continues to survey the Sermon on the Mount, he comes upon Christ’s teaching on marriage. This chapter is short but has much in it. It is odd, at least at first, to think of marriage as part of discipleship. Bonhoeffer points out that marriage is a picture of Christ and His Church, and is a constant reminder of Christ intimate relation with His followers.

In this chapter, he deals with the issue of divorce. Christ does not contradict the Old Testament teaching on divorce, but rather reveals how reluctant we should be in perusing it. If marriage is a picture of Christ and discipleship, then what does divorce picture? The author exhorts his readers to stay faithful to their spouse as they are called to be faithful to their Father in heaven who has saved them from their sins.

Although Bonhoeffer’s survey of the Sermon on the Mount is very good and includes great application, he does at time cut the text a little short. In other words, he oftentimes does not give the reader enough detail about what Christ means. I felt this way especially in the Beatitudes. In each phrase, he simply says, "this is what Jesus is saying, and therefore go do this." From there, he would move on to the next phrase in the passage.

Bonhoeffer never writes any heresy here, but I do believe that he could have slowed down and taken his time on these passages. As a reader, I felt like I wasn’t quit grasping everything Jesus was saying in the Beatitudes. At times, the author doesn’t really interact with the text much, he just briefly explains and then applies. And so, although the survey was great, he could have expanded on it in some of the passages he discussed.

I must also complain about another part of his discussion on the Sermon on the Mount; and that is what he had to say about prayer. It has always been a particular nuisance whenever people treat the Lord’s prayer as a systematic formula for getting God to listen to them and to answer them their way. Throughout my ministry and life, I have seen many people fall for this trap and it concerns me. Too many times people only want God to do what they tell Him to do and therefore think that that is what Jesus is teaching us here. Since it is Jesus, God in human flesh, they assume that Jesus is saying that if you pray this specific prayer, then God will answer, and that simply is not true.

Bonhoeffer hints at this but never comes out and suggest such a thing. At one point Bonhoeffer says, "if they pray this prayer, God will certainly hear them (165)." Clearly, the author is not suggesting that the Lord’s prayer is anything like I describe, but at the same time, he doesn’t seem to rule it out. In this one phrase, and others, Bonhoeffer appears to be telling the reader to recite this prayer in order to get God to hear you. Isn’t that what Jesus warned against in Matthew 6:7-8?

God will hear our prayers regardless. It is through Christ that we can pray directly to God and He always hears us. The Lord’s Prayer is a guide for us to follow. In this prayer God is glorified and exalted, we ask for God’s help for provisions, protection, and for forgiveness. We do not need to repeat these verses over and over again just to get our way or to get God to hear us, for He is already aware of our needs and listens to our pleas. Bonhoeffer almost ignores this concept and thus misleads the reader.

After discussing prayer, Bonhoeffer continues to walk through the Sermon on the Mount. He begins to discuss how many of the things in the Sermon on the Mount deal with humility. Jesus calls us to pray in secret so that we will only be seen by God, to give in secret, etc. The purpose of all of these commands is that they lead us to humility and Bonhoeffer points this out brilliantly.

The author makes it clear that the proud disciple is no disciple. The call to follow Christ, the first step in discipleship, means that we must give up everything. Bonhoeffer plays on this theme throughout the book. This may mean that we have to give up our time, money, and pride. Christ paid the ultimate price for our souls, it is the least we could do is drop everything and follow him.
To further prove his point, the author refers and discusses several passages where Jesus calls us to give up everything. He points us to the texts where Jesus talks to the young rich ruler, the man who wanted to bury his father before following Christ, and several others. In these texts, the author takes the time to carefully explain the text, including it’s difficult parts, and tells us how we are to respond to the words of Christ. The author is always ready to apply the text in a way that the reader can understand.

These texts shows us that the humble servant is a true disciple. Pride is really what stands in the way for many people in following Christ. They have too many things to do first, or something is farther up on the priority lists. Jesus expects to be first and He expects us to leave everything behind. This points us back to the discussion on cheap grace. True discipleship and salvation are anything but cheap, and anything but easy. In order to be a true follower of Christ, we must learn to swallow our pride and follow Him regardless of what we may want or think, and Bonhoeffer shows the reader how to do so, and what the results will be.

Another thing in Bonhoeffer’s book I enjoyed was his discussion on church discipline. Bonhoeffer makes it extremely clear that church discipline is a big part of discipleship. Such discipline is first taught in the Scriptures, as he shows, and is meant to encourage the members of the church to continue in their walk with Christ. With such accountability, the believer is always encouraged to follow Christ and it is the Church who is to show them the way.

It is sad today that most churches do not practice church discipline. Many assume that to practice such a thing would only keep people away from the church, not keep them close to the church. This is false, but sadly, the church will not defend such a teaching. Somehow preachers over the past few decades have simply skipped over passages that demand a church to discipline it’s members when it needs to. Jesus, Paul, and others all taught the importance of it, and yet evangelicalism today overlooks it.

It is no wonder then why our churches are anything but pure. Our churches struggle with so many issues that it would not have to if it practiced this Biblical concept. And so, it should be mandated that all believers read the words of Bonhoeffer in this book and heed to his point. Here, the author convicts the reader and demands that they get their act together. At the same time, he convicts the church. For most readers, the idea of church discipline may be foreign to them, but after reading, they will not only understand the doctrine of church disciple but why it should be taught. Since God holds us all to high standards, so should the body of Christ. The goal of the church is to see it’s believers become dedicated disciples of Christ and church discipline is one of those tools that leads it’s members there.

Bonhoeffer believes that the church has other important roles, namely, administering the sacraments. The author put much emphasis on this concept especially baptism. He makes several good points concerning the sacrament. One thing I appreciated was how he related baptism to following Christ. He points out that following Christ is a very public act that many are to witness throughout ones life. Baptism is very much the same. The symbolism of Baptism is a public act of confession before other believers. Baptism, it seems, is the first step one takes in publically following Christ.

Bonhoeffer brings up many other important issues and takes the time to explain some of the theology of baptism. He looks at Christ’s teaching on the sacrament, and then turns elsewhere in the New Testament. Everything he says he backs up with Scripture, and the reader leaves understanding why it is Christians practice baptism, and how it relates to discipleship.

There is one critical thing I must say as it relates to his discussion on baptism, and that is that he takes baptism too far. At times I think he makes some assumptions that just are not accurate. He seems to take the act of Baptism and make it look like it is more than a mere symbol of the decision the believer has made. At one point, he even says that "baptism... betokens a breach (231)." I am left confused at such a statement. Is he saying that baptism is a part of salvation? I would certainly hope not for to defend such a thing would be Biblically wrong and misleading. But if this is not what he means, then the author leaves the reader confused.

Similarly, if a charismatic were to read his words, they might assume that he believes in their teaching of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Grant it, the charismatic movement was not very big in his day like it is in ours, but he still seems to mislead the reader on this issue. He says, "the gift of baptism is the Holy Spirit (233)." Such statements are vague and misleading.

He goes on to say that the Holy Spirit is Christ in our hearts, but it still doesn’t answer the questions that he has brought up. I feel many modern readers would be mislead by this section of the book and it’s suggestions. Overall, his discussion on baptism is very good, but there are many parts of the Baptism chapter that may lead people astray from what the Bible really says about the sacrament.

But overall, Bonhoeffer’s book is a great read. It is a constant reminder of what true discipleship and following Christ is to look like. He calls us to sacrifice everything we have and live for the One that saved our souls. Christ has not called us to just go out and evangelize, but also to disciple new believers and always follow Him in all that we do.

Bonhoeffer’s book is perhaps the best book I have read on this subject. In it’s three hundred pages, the author never strays off of his main purpose and goal; make the reader a better disciple and follower of Christ.

As the reader continues to follow the authors argument he knows that this isn’t just a book someone wrote to make money or to get famous, but rather the author is sincere in his words and really desires that all believers heed his calling. This book reveals the authors heart and, as a result, the reader is able to better understand the importance of this command and leaves desiring to be what Christ has called them to be.

So I highly recommend this book. All believers around the world should listen to call and be required to read his words. This is the first book I have read by this author and will likely read more of him hoping to be challenged and encouraged like I was in this great piece of writing.

"In My Place, Condemned He Stood"

For Christians, nothing is more central than the cross. To consider the cross any accident or just part of the story is incorrect. Without the cross, there is no Christianity. And since Easter is coming up and I am closing a series of sermons on the last week of Jesus, it is critical to study the cross and especially Penal Substitution. And perhaps no one is more qualified to write on the topic today than JI Packer who, along with Dr. Mark Dever, has written another book on the subject, "In My Place, Condemned He Stood: Celebrating the Glory of the Atonement."

The book is what you would expect: a defense and theological survey of the doctrine of penal substitution. Packer does much of the writing in the book (especially the first two chapters). The best, and perhaps the most foundational, chapter in the book is the first where Packer lays out what penal substitution is and its necessary components. Perhaps the most helpful section was his discussion on expiation and propitiation.

The book offers many other helps. For example, Ligon Duncan provides an annotated bibliography on various books on the atonement. I found this useful and insightful. It is rare to pick up a book where the authors not only lay out their argument but direct the reader on where to go next. An annotated bibliography is a great way to do just that. Though some of the annotations are quit simplified and without much detail, it remains a helpful resource.

But, like with "Truth of the Cross," I find myself frustrated once again. I affirm much of Calvinism. But I do not worship at the altar of Calvin. In fact, I am a bit burned out with all of it. I do not want to suggest that I think that each point of Calvinism is unimportant or irrelevant, all of Scripture is useful and all of doctrine is practical. But at times, I find fellow Calvinist obsessive with a certain doctrine (and the same could be said of Arminians, Pelagians, Emergents, etc.) that we forget ministry.

Packer suggests that Calvinists who do not accept Limited Atonement aren't really Calvinist. I find this rather ludicrous. First of all, the theology of Calvin, even his Soteriology, goes beyond five points (and most Calvinist would agree with this). I find his argument, though compelling, simply wrong. He raises many good points, but I do not buy that one is an inconsistent Calvinist if he questions Limited Atonement. I feel that he does not understand such Calvinist.

It is frustrating to read a book written by persons whom I have the deepest respect and recommended by persons I deeply respect to spend more time on Limited Atonement then on total depravity or perseverance of the saints. It would seem that if this book is to be about the cross and penal substitution, dedicating an entire chapter surveying and interacting with John Owen's, "The Death of Death and the Death of Christ," (which is primarily about Limited Atonement) is distracting.

However, overall, I enjoyed this book minus this one major distraction. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to probe deeper into a Calvinist understanding of the cross. I affirm whole heartily penal substitution and any book that brings glory to Christ through a correct understanding of penal substitution, even with its distractions, is worth picking up and reading.

"The Truth of the Cross"

This Sunday, we will be looking at the crucifixion of Christ. Without a doubt, this is the most important subject in all of Christianity. It is the core, the crux, of Christianity. To misunderstand it, is to misunderstand the faith. Anyone who tries to downgrade, misinterpret, reinterpret, or deny the purpose and the meaning of the cross falls short of true Christianity. And for that reason, I must dedicate myself to much studying this week.

Therefore, I picked up RC Sproul's little book, "The Truth of the Cross." The title says it all: it is all about the cross and the necessity of Christ's atonement for our salvation. Sproul considers the cross of Christ to be the core/crux of the faith. In fact, he argues that the root word for "core" crux is from the same root word for "crucifixion." Why? Because the cross is at the core of Christianity (2).

I think he is right. Christians have always taught that the cross is the gospel. Paul taught this in 1 Corinthians 15:1ff. The cross is the root of the faith and Sproul seeks to walk the reader through the meaning of purpose of the cross. Not necessarily the story of the cross, but the application of the cross.

What Sproul offers is nothing new. He is simply repeating the same message that Christians have always believed. And there can be no higher compliment than that. The message of the cross remains the same during the birth of the Church all the way to today and tomorrow. Sproul could have written this book in the Middle-Ages as well as in the postmodern age. Sproul discusses issues such as substitionary atonement, Christus Vicarious, depravity, God's justice, God's wrath, penal substitution, and other foundational issues for understanding the gospel. Sproul offers a clear explanation of the cross and the gospel.

But I will make one complaint: it is a bit too Calvinist. I say this as someone who considers himself a Calvinist. Although I am not as headstrong as some Calvinist, I nonetheless affirm much of Calvinism. However, my complaint is that a simple discussion regarding the cross can be done without debating Calvinism. One can discuss penal substitution without discussing limited atonement. Sproul's last chapter (except for the chapter with various questions) regards the issue of limited atonement. Regardless of what believes on this issue, I found it frustrating that he dedicates a majority of a chapter on this subject. Limited atonement is not the gospel; the atonement is. As I was reading the book, I continued to get frustrated that Sproul continued to raise Calvinist issues. Calvinism is great theology, but whenever one tries to lay out the gospel on account of the saving work of Christ on the cross, it would seem best to me, in an age of Biblical illiteracy, to do so without raising some of the hard questions oftentimes asked when Calvinism is raised.

Therefore, as a pastor, I really enjoyed this book, but at the same time have my reservations. Would I recommend this to someone in my congregation? Yes . . . and no. I would recommend it, first of all, to someone who affirms Calvinism. But I would also recommend it to someone who is off of spiritual milk. I would recommend this book to someone who needs to go into more depth. This book allows depth and clarity. But I would not recommend it to someone who is new to the faith and trying to better understand the cross and the gospel simply because it raises some issues that spiritual infants and seekers aren't ready to deal with.