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The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?
The first edition of The Gospel According to Jesus won wide acclaim in confronting the 'easy-believism' that has characterized some aspects of evangelical Christianity. Over the past 50 years, a handful of books have become true classics, revered world-wide for their crystal-clear presentation of the Gospel and lauded for their contribution to the Christian faith. These extraordinary books are read, re-read, and discussed in churches, Bible study groups, and homes everywhere. John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus is one of those books. In The Gospel According to Jesus, MacArthur tackles the idea of 'easy believism,' challenging Christians to re-evaluate their commitment to Christ by examining their fruits. MacArthur asks, 'What does it really mean to be saved?' He urges readers to understand that their conversion was more than a mere point in time, that, by definition, it includes a lifetime of obediently walking with Jesus as Lord. This 20th anniversary edition of MacArthur's provocative, Scripture-based book contains one new chapterand is further revised to provide Christians in the 21st century a fresh perspective on the intrinsic relationship between faith and works, clearly revealing Why Jesus is both Savior and Lord to all who believe.
Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2009
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About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,932 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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July 19, 2024
THE BOOK THAT TOUCHED OFF A CONTROVERSY
MacArthur wrote in his Preface to the revised (1994) edition of this book (originally published in 1988), "A major controversy over Christ's lordship erupted on the evangelical scene with the publication of this book five years ago. It was not my intention to ignite such a dispute... My aim was simply to answer several recent authors who were arguing for no-lordship salvation evangelism. These men were charging the rest of the church with heresy, and I felt their accusations needed an answer." (Pg. xiv)
He states, "No promise of salvation is ever extended to those who refuse to accede to Christ's lordship. Thus there is no salvation except 'lordship' salvation." (Pg. 34) Later, he affirms that he is "committed to the biblical truth that salvation is forever," a doctrine also known as the perseverance of the saints: "the point is... that those whose faith is genuine will never totally or finally fall away from Christ." (Pg. 105)
After quoting Luke 13:3,5 ("Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish"), he asks, "When was the last time you heard the gospel presented in those terms? It is not fashionable in the twentieth century to preach a gospel that demands repentance." (Pg. 175) After citing the son in Matt 21:31, he observes solemnly that many hear the truth of Christ and immediately respond as did the son who said he would obey but did not. "Their positive response to Jesus will not save them. The fruit of their lives shows that they have never truly repented." (Pg. 184)
He argues that a one-time legal transaction---justification---is the turning point; "it is the very heart of the gospel according to Jesus." (Pg. 202) Nevertheless, he advises that "Periodic doubts" about one's salvation are "not necessarily wrong. Such doubts must be confronted and dealt with honestly and biblically." (Pg. 214)
If you like this book, you should also read the sequel, 'Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles'; for the contrary view, read 'Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation' and 'So Great Salvation.'
MacArthur wrote in his Preface to the revised (1994) edition of this book (originally published in 1988), "A major controversy over Christ's lordship erupted on the evangelical scene with the publication of this book five years ago. It was not my intention to ignite such a dispute... My aim was simply to answer several recent authors who were arguing for no-lordship salvation evangelism. These men were charging the rest of the church with heresy, and I felt their accusations needed an answer." (Pg. xiv)
He states, "No promise of salvation is ever extended to those who refuse to accede to Christ's lordship. Thus there is no salvation except 'lordship' salvation." (Pg. 34) Later, he affirms that he is "committed to the biblical truth that salvation is forever," a doctrine also known as the perseverance of the saints: "the point is... that those whose faith is genuine will never totally or finally fall away from Christ." (Pg. 105)
After quoting Luke 13:3,5 ("Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish"), he asks, "When was the last time you heard the gospel presented in those terms? It is not fashionable in the twentieth century to preach a gospel that demands repentance." (Pg. 175) After citing the son in Matt 21:31, he observes solemnly that many hear the truth of Christ and immediately respond as did the son who said he would obey but did not. "Their positive response to Jesus will not save them. The fruit of their lives shows that they have never truly repented." (Pg. 184)
He argues that a one-time legal transaction---justification---is the turning point; "it is the very heart of the gospel according to Jesus." (Pg. 202) Nevertheless, he advises that "Periodic doubts" about one's salvation are "not necessarily wrong. Such doubts must be confronted and dealt with honestly and biblically." (Pg. 214)
If you like this book, you should also read the sequel, 'Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles'; for the contrary view, read 'Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation' and 'So Great Salvation.'
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