The Gospel According to Jesus | John F. MacArthur Jr.

The Gospel According to Jesus | John F. MacArthur Jr. | The Remedy to Modern Antinomianism

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The Gospel Accordi...

	The Gospel According to Jesus John F. MacArthur Jr. Zondervan, 1994 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 89 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Cogent and highly convincing

In this fascinating book, Dr. John MacArthur looks at the Gospel (literally the proclamation of redemption) proclaimed by Jesus in his earthly ministry, and compares it with the gospel preached by many modern Christian churches. Late in the twentieth century, many American churches began to embrace a message that taught that the mere intellectual assent to the idea of the deity of Christ was sufficient for salvation, while any sort of repentance and submission to Him as Lord was a mere work, unnecessary for and totally irrelevant to the Christian. Working through the various scriptural passages in which Jesus spelled out salvation, Dr. MacArthur shows that such "easy-believism" is contrary to the true Gospel, and leads far too many to a broad road that leads to damnation.

Dr. MacArthur is a wonderful preacher and teacher, who is an expert at handling the Word. I found his arguments to be cogent and highly convincing, and like a bracing cup of hot chocolate on a winter's day. If you are interested in a Biblical look at Salvation, then you must get this book. I highly recommend this book to all Believers.

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The Remedy to Modern Antinomianism

"The Gospel According to Jesus" is a modern-day theological masterpiece. With piercing discernment, Spirit-led exegesis, and Christian love John MacArthur exposes the error of the "cheap grace" theology that plagues the church today. His analysis of Christ's words is the much-needed cure for the common misinterpretations of Paul which have led to antinomian teaching. This book is a response to those who "distort [Paul's letters], as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (1 Peter 3:16). The passion and understanding of this book far outmatch any other modern theological work you will come across. MacArthur adheres to the plain sense of the scripture and refuses to allow the words of Christ, apostle and prophet to be trampled underfoot by the anti-lordship teachers. His gentleness and kindness in dealing with those he argues against is admirable (Paul, Luther or Calvin would have verbally torn them apart). This book has been used by God to awaken many to the truth of Christ's undivided person--that He is both Savior and Lord. I pray He will use it even more in the years to come.

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John MacArthur's Best Book

This book is by far the best book I have ever read on the subject of salvation. MacArthur is NOT against dispensational theology (he is one - sort of), fundamentalism (he is one), eternal security or Calvinism (although the book doesn't say it, he's one of those, too).
MacArthur's entire point is that NOT everybody who says he is saved REALLY is. He does not give a list of things to do to be saved. A careful read shows that what he states is that when God calls a person to salvation GOD performs that work in the person. These include repentance and forgiveness.

Many people look at the church and say, "I'm just as good as so and so." Instead of regurgitating the usual Christian line about how "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven," MacArthur demonstrates that obedience PROVES salvation. He emphasizes MANY times - GOOD WORKS DO NOT SAVE US BUT THOSE OF US WHO ARE SAVED WILL DO GOOD WORKS!!

I also want to say this. I'm sure that some of Dr. Hodges friends feel that he has been taken for a ride. I have no doubt that Hodges was, in some cases, verbally irresponsible. It is important to note that MacArthur - who has a reputation for naming names - mentioned Hodges in the preface and made certain that people would know that his criticism of Hodges and Dr. Charles Ryrie was not PERSONAL but DOCTRINAL.

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For New Believers

I feel this book has definitely hit a "sore" spot. It's a lot easier and quite more comfortable for someone to go to church and say, "Yes I believe in Jesus Christ" then go about life in an unchanged, sinful manner. It feels convenient and it doesn't offend anyone. The mega-church is a wonderful place but definitely doesn't emphasize how "serious" it is to give ones life to Christ. I still go because I love the message of Christ and how my pastor shows us how to "apply" it everyday. I am saddened though that my church "reels them in" but takes them "off the hook" too soon. We need to learn that it is a journey that will not be easy and that submission to God through his son Jesus Christ and our complete repentance of sins is what will bring us "HOME".

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Very Important work in the Cheap-Grace vs Lordship Debate

John F. MacArthur is one of the chief proponents of the the modern Lordship movement within western evangelicalism today. This book in particular is considered by many to have been the opening salvo that opened the modern debate. It has led to a great deal of discussion and debate on the issue, particularly with Chuck Swindoll, who is one of the proponents on the "only Grace" side.

In a nutshell, the argument is that "Cheap-Grace" has pervaded modern Christianity with an "easy-believism" that in effect teaches that one can pray a prayer, appropriate Grace positionally and then effectively continue to live their life as before and still be a saved Christian.

MacArthur takes issue with this and argues in effect that genuine faith must have tangible results or else the experience is suspect. The Church is remiss in holding out false hope to those who have not genuinely repented.

While many may be tempted to look at this book and the debate that has ensued as a new development it is hardly that. Antinomianism (grace apart from the requirement of the law) has been around from the earliest Christian days and there have always been pendulum swings that go back and forth.

The bottom line is that there is an element of mystery to Christology (study of the person and work of Christ) and Soteriology (study of salvation) that relies completely upon Christ (grace alone) and if it is genuine must effect some change of heart and action (Faith leads to works.)

This is a valuable book to help place this age old argument into western evangelicalism. After you've read it, you will want to read "Grace Awakening" by Chuck Swindoll to see the other side.

You'll be well equipped then to understand the debate, process the arguments and teaching and digest them for a practical response in your own life and faith. It certainly is an important question for Christians and churches to wrestle with and on that hopefully will result in sober thinking and living of one's life and faith in Christ.

4 stars given not because the work isn't good and important, but simply because this reviewer believes that dogmatic teaching of this sort requires some ability to step back from the material and acknowledge some mystery to the debate. Beware the proponents on either side who become so caught up in the argument and winning that they are not able to concede a need to see the other side and maintain some humility.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, page 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

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