pdf - Protestant Reformed Churches in America

Book Reviewsatonement did not merely makesalvation possible for men, iteffectually redeemed and savedthose chosen by God. He answersthe various charges raisedagainst this, and explains thetexts that areusually brought up(e.g., John 3:16, I John 2:1-2,etc.). He maintains that it iswrong to preach '''Christ diedfor you" (p. 84). The atonementis particular, and even personal,so that the believer (and onlythe believer) can say with Paul,'''The Son of God ... loved me,and gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:20) (p. 85).Consistent with this, theauthor maintains that those whoare saved are unchangeablysaved - they cannot be lost.The books criticismsofthe"modern gospel" are accurateand devastating (Chapter 6 ­Another Gospel). He summarizes(p. 98):Jesus is presented as a lovingbut impotent figure, standingand knocking outside thedoor of our lives. There isonly one door-handle, on theinside, where the sinneralonecan control it. The feelingexcited is pity: "He has doneso much for you; will you notnow open the door to Himand allow Him to bless youNovember, 2001with His salvation?" Thisleads the hearer to feel thathe has done God a favor byagreeing to believe!The true gospel is mosthumbling to man. and the unityofbelievers is that they see theirown unworthiness and rejoicein the saving work ofGod. Thissalvation also motivates the believerto declare the good newsof salvation. Evangelism. trueevangelism, is the result. Theauthor affirms the needto preachthe gospel promiscuously. Notonly so. but the gospel is to bepreached with confidence, forGod is sovereign, and His worddoes not return void (pp. 117­II8)!This is refreshing! Fewbooks today affirm the truths ofsovereign grace so forcefullyand unapologetically.While all that is true, thebook has several flaws in itsdoctrine. These flaws are so seriousthat they may well corruptthe main teaching of the book.One serious error is the author'scontention that God has twokinds of love. On the one hand,God is Hloving and kind" to all(p. 11). This is the love that Godhas as Creator, and ~~cordingtowhich He provides torthe needsofall men (p. 58). In t ) sense85