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Essentials: The heart of the Christian faith
Most of us would like to believe that there is more to life than just what we can see or touch.
The idea of living in a pointless universe without a personal God giving us purpose and protection is a frightening prospect to many. Whereas the possibility of belonging to and being loved by a caring God is absolutely thrilling. But how can we know the truth?
In Essentials, Lee McMunn argues that to know the truth we need God to engage us in conversation. Lee looks at what Jesus says about God in the Bible and explores what it means to have a relationship with Him.
This book includes helpful discussion questions and it is suitable to read alone or as a group.
The idea of living in a pointless universe without a personal God giving us purpose and protection is a frightening prospect to many. Whereas the possibility of belonging to and being loved by a caring God is absolutely thrilling. But how can we know the truth?
In Essentials, Lee McMunn argues that to know the truth we need God to engage us in conversation. Lee looks at what Jesus says about God in the Bible and explores what it means to have a relationship with Him.
This book includes helpful discussion questions and it is suitable to read alone or as a group.
43 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2016
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 3, 2022
Summary:
People sin. Jesus paid the price for everyone. We just have to commit to him and embrace him as king. So choose Jesus.
Concerns:
This is not a complete or accurate Gospel. No repentance. No regeneration. No wrath. No holiness. Salvation is largely the work of each person.
Quotes:
"He has done everything necessary to rescue anyone from the punishment we deserve. But only those personally committed to him will benefit from his great sacrifice."
"If we embrace Jesus as our king we will experience an eternity of joy – all because our friend has paid."
"And, third, it provides us with a powerful motivation to change. We are now part of a new family. And so therefore we should seek to behave in the way revealed by our perfect Father. We are to learn and then embrace the beautiful passions, priorities and practices that we see in our new Father."
"Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to live within all those who follow him as king. And he will do this to help them change."
"We are offered a relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The only question is: how will we respond?"
People sin. Jesus paid the price for everyone. We just have to commit to him and embrace him as king. So choose Jesus.
Concerns:
This is not a complete or accurate Gospel. No repentance. No regeneration. No wrath. No holiness. Salvation is largely the work of each person.
Quotes:
"He has done everything necessary to rescue anyone from the punishment we deserve. But only those personally committed to him will benefit from his great sacrifice."
"If we embrace Jesus as our king we will experience an eternity of joy – all because our friend has paid."
"And, third, it provides us with a powerful motivation to change. We are now part of a new family. And so therefore we should seek to behave in the way revealed by our perfect Father. We are to learn and then embrace the beautiful passions, priorities and practices that we see in our new Father."
"Jesus will send the Holy Spirit to live within all those who follow him as king. And he will do this to help them change."
"We are offered a relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The only question is: how will we respond?"
May 6, 2025
Short, sharp and to the point, this book simply explains the core truths of the gospel in five chapters (all helpfully beginning with 'R'). Sweeping from before the beginning of the world and ending with a challenge to the unbeliever, much is achieved in so few pages. A whistle stop tour of what has to happen for a person to be rescued into a relationship with the one true and living God, an ideal starting point for those unfamiliar with the message of the Bible.
November 10, 2019
It’s great that McMunn starts his book with the Trinity unlike the usual gospel presentation. At first you might think it’s a short book about doctrine, but it’s not. Essentials is an evangelistic book . Essentials is giving a step by step explanation of the gospel. And as I have said McMunn started this book with the Trinity and ends with an invitation to have a relationship with God. Essentials is a presentable evangelistic tool because of appealing title, chapter title and cover image.
There are downsides in book. First, in chapter 3 which illustrates how Jesus rescues. Although the context is answering the question “So why didn’t he save himself? Why did Jesus stay on the cross?” an illustration of a kid drowning is not the biblical way to represent humanity submerged in sin. Total depravity points us that we are not drowning but dead at the bottom of the river. Second the sinner’s prayer at the last part of the book, which is for me unbiblical. Decisionism is not part of the gospel message.
Essentials is a good book but has problematic issues. If for not those issues, I would have graded this book a bit higher. Still you can benefit reading it for yourself and use some parts of it for your personal evangelism.
My verdict:
3.5 out of 5
There are downsides in book. First, in chapter 3 which illustrates how Jesus rescues. Although the context is answering the question “So why didn’t he save himself? Why did Jesus stay on the cross?” an illustration of a kid drowning is not the biblical way to represent humanity submerged in sin. Total depravity points us that we are not drowning but dead at the bottom of the river. Second the sinner’s prayer at the last part of the book, which is for me unbiblical. Decisionism is not part of the gospel message.
Essentials is a good book but has problematic issues. If for not those issues, I would have graded this book a bit higher. Still you can benefit reading it for yourself and use some parts of it for your personal evangelism.
My verdict:
3.5 out of 5
October 1, 2024
Very brief book. The content is familiar for Christians, is intended for those new or unfamiliar with the faith. Not sure how persuasive it is for someone who doesn't believe.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews