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Grounded in the Faith: An Essential Guide To Knowing What You Believe And Why
Developed over 20 years of ministry, this user friendly discipleship guide gives individuals and small groups a foundational understanding of the faith and helps them to live it out every day.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 31, 2013
Source: Net Galley, Baker Publishing Group, provided a free copy to me for the purpose of review.
Summary:
If the following questions were to be asked: Do you know basic Bible doctrine, or why do you believe in Jesus Christ, or what does it mean to live as a Christian? Would you be able to answer them?
Many people attend church Sunday after Sunday, maybe they've been coming to church most of their life; yet they don't know what they believe nor why. Maybe they feel that by attending a church service they will absorb all the religion they need. These same people because they lack knowledge: grasp hold of unsound doctrine, they're swept up in political drama, they quote Scripture out of context, and they fall off a cliff when a crisis arises. They are not grounded in their belief.
Kenneth Erisman has written a brilliant book that teaches solid doctrine in an applicable format.
My Thoughts:
I loved every facet of this meaty book.
My reasons for giving this book a 5 star review:
Each session (chapter): has a stated purpose, three simple step approach, questions that dig deep, examination of scriptures that are applied to our lives, scriptures to memorize, and a journal area.
Erisman is a born teacher and it illuminates off the page.
Erisman is a patient teacher. I felt as if he were sitting alongside me asking questions and pausing to wait for my reply.
He is straightforward and speaks plain. His teaching and explanations are easy to grasp.
He is unafraid. His questions are ones I've struggled with asking because I was too timid to ask. His answers really opened up my eyes (so to speak) and I clearly understand some areas I'd not understood fully before.
Bible history and archeology findings are given.
Erisman quotes: Martin Luther, B. B. Warfield, Dorothy Sayers, J. I. Packer, John Piper, Tim Keller, R. C. Sproul, C. S. Lewis.
My favorite sessions including quotes:
Session one is on the Ten Commandments. What does it mean "to put God first in your life?" People tend to shape God into what they want Him to be. "The human heart is an idol factory."
Session four: "Overcoming Temptation." I loved Erisman's explanation of "old self" and "new self." "You are a new man, with a distinct identity as a new creation in Christ. The tyrannical power of the flesh is broken. It has been dethroned. Now the Spirit of God is the dominant factor, and you have a new identity, a new heart, with a new nature. Although the flesh is still present within you, there is a life changing difference."
Session seven: "The Power and Value of the Word." Erisman states several reasons as to why the word of God is important. "God's word is a reference point, a beacon." Five reasons are given as to why scripture is important.
Sessions twelve and thirteen: "Knowing God's Will." "A call is an inner desire given by the Holy Spirit, through the word of God, and confirmed by the community of Christ." Seven points are given in knowing how God guides us.
Sessions fourteen and fifteen: "The Mystery of the Trinity." His explanation is the best I've read on the Trinity! "Each person of the Trinity is fully God. One being. Three distinct persons."
Session eighteen: "Kept by God, Preservation, Perseverance, and Assurance (Part One.)" He taught on mistaken beliefs about salvation, that some people look at it as "fire insurance." We cannot live however we want and "still be right with God...Remember it is God who preserves us." "Why would it be reckless and spiritually dangerous to think that you could persevere in the faith yet neglect the very things that God has told us are so crucial, such as the Word, prayer, service, and on the perseverance of the Saints the gathering together with the church for fellowship, communion, instruction, and worship?"
Summary:
If the following questions were to be asked: Do you know basic Bible doctrine, or why do you believe in Jesus Christ, or what does it mean to live as a Christian? Would you be able to answer them?
Many people attend church Sunday after Sunday, maybe they've been coming to church most of their life; yet they don't know what they believe nor why. Maybe they feel that by attending a church service they will absorb all the religion they need. These same people because they lack knowledge: grasp hold of unsound doctrine, they're swept up in political drama, they quote Scripture out of context, and they fall off a cliff when a crisis arises. They are not grounded in their belief.
Kenneth Erisman has written a brilliant book that teaches solid doctrine in an applicable format.
My Thoughts:
I loved every facet of this meaty book.
My reasons for giving this book a 5 star review:
Each session (chapter): has a stated purpose, three simple step approach, questions that dig deep, examination of scriptures that are applied to our lives, scriptures to memorize, and a journal area.
Erisman is a born teacher and it illuminates off the page.
Erisman is a patient teacher. I felt as if he were sitting alongside me asking questions and pausing to wait for my reply.
He is straightforward and speaks plain. His teaching and explanations are easy to grasp.
He is unafraid. His questions are ones I've struggled with asking because I was too timid to ask. His answers really opened up my eyes (so to speak) and I clearly understand some areas I'd not understood fully before.
Bible history and archeology findings are given.
Erisman quotes: Martin Luther, B. B. Warfield, Dorothy Sayers, J. I. Packer, John Piper, Tim Keller, R. C. Sproul, C. S. Lewis.
My favorite sessions including quotes:
Session one is on the Ten Commandments. What does it mean "to put God first in your life?" People tend to shape God into what they want Him to be. "The human heart is an idol factory."
Session four: "Overcoming Temptation." I loved Erisman's explanation of "old self" and "new self." "You are a new man, with a distinct identity as a new creation in Christ. The tyrannical power of the flesh is broken. It has been dethroned. Now the Spirit of God is the dominant factor, and you have a new identity, a new heart, with a new nature. Although the flesh is still present within you, there is a life changing difference."
Session seven: "The Power and Value of the Word." Erisman states several reasons as to why the word of God is important. "God's word is a reference point, a beacon." Five reasons are given as to why scripture is important.
Sessions twelve and thirteen: "Knowing God's Will." "A call is an inner desire given by the Holy Spirit, through the word of God, and confirmed by the community of Christ." Seven points are given in knowing how God guides us.
Sessions fourteen and fifteen: "The Mystery of the Trinity." His explanation is the best I've read on the Trinity! "Each person of the Trinity is fully God. One being. Three distinct persons."
Session eighteen: "Kept by God, Preservation, Perseverance, and Assurance (Part One.)" He taught on mistaken beliefs about salvation, that some people look at it as "fire insurance." We cannot live however we want and "still be right with God...Remember it is God who preserves us." "Why would it be reckless and spiritually dangerous to think that you could persevere in the faith yet neglect the very things that God has told us are so crucial, such as the Word, prayer, service, and on the perseverance of the Saints the gathering together with the church for fellowship, communion, instruction, and worship?"
August 22, 2013
This book was a pleasure to read. Each chapter takes us through a different bible doctrine. Erisman also includes many scriptural references and quotes from theologians past and present.
He takes some deep doctrines and places them on the lower shelf so that those who are new in the Lord can understand them. This is basically a short, easy-to-read, Systematic Theology.
It would be a great book to give to some one who has just been saved or one who would like to know what the Bible says about a number of topics.
Ken touches on everything from Justification to the Divinity of Christ. Each chapter or session contains an overview, the teaching itself, quotes from a number of theologians and a list of questions to make sure you understand the text.
His theology is from the reformed tradition and his writing is very direct and understandable. There is also a great Forward by J.I. Packer.
Sections include subjects like: Justification, Regeneration, Overcoming temptations, Prayer, The Trinity, and much, much more.
It would be a good book to use in a Sunday School class or bible study. It is well written and never boring. I will definitely read Erisman again.
I highly recommend it and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book, free of charge, from Baker Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
He takes some deep doctrines and places them on the lower shelf so that those who are new in the Lord can understand them. This is basically a short, easy-to-read, Systematic Theology.
It would be a great book to give to some one who has just been saved or one who would like to know what the Bible says about a number of topics.
Ken touches on everything from Justification to the Divinity of Christ. Each chapter or session contains an overview, the teaching itself, quotes from a number of theologians and a list of questions to make sure you understand the text.
His theology is from the reformed tradition and his writing is very direct and understandable. There is also a great Forward by J.I. Packer.
Sections include subjects like: Justification, Regeneration, Overcoming temptations, Prayer, The Trinity, and much, much more.
It would be a good book to use in a Sunday School class or bible study. It is well written and never boring. I will definitely read Erisman again.
I highly recommend it and give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book, free of charge, from Baker Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2015
Such a great study! Foundational truths that I believe are beneficial to new believers of course, but with enough depth to invigorate a seasoned believer. Much more than "spiritual milk" in this study. Well worth the time invested.
June 9, 2016
Excellent discipleship book
Finally answers to such important questions believers need to understand to grow spiritually! Thanks for including classic authors who speak clearly for others to understand.
Finally answers to such important questions believers need to understand to grow spiritually! Thanks for including classic authors who speak clearly for others to understand.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews