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Indispensable: The Basics of Christian Belief
The Christian faith involves many different a breathtaking sacrifice, an unshakable hope, a daily fight—and more. Each is critical to our salvation and essential to the shape and purpose of our daily lives. Yet some have become so familiar to us that we miss their importance . . . and others may not feel familiar at all.
Pastor David Cassidy's engaging look at these essentials of the Christian faith helps us to understand their disruptive power in a dark world. We're living in an in-between time, positioned between Jesus's death on the cross and his final return. What if we caught hold of the indispensable things and held them close?
Pastor David Cassidy's engaging look at these essentials of the Christian faith helps us to understand their disruptive power in a dark world. We're living in an in-between time, positioned between Jesus's death on the cross and his final return. What if we caught hold of the indispensable things and held them close?
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2019
15 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 29, 2019
Are you looking for a book to hand to someone that strongly gives them the rudiments of the Christian faith? Is your young college student or High Schooler needing a good resource on the nitty-gritty of their Christianity to which they can return and use over and over again? New folks coming to your church, and you're wondering how to communicate the nuts-and-bolts of what we believe and why? David P. Cassidy, lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, has happily, healthily and handily provided us with just the thing in his new 240 page paperback, "Indispensable: The Basics of the Christian Faith". Easy to read and simple to follow, it's perfect for intelligent middle-schoolers to the seasoned and venerable.
The author walks readers through many important subjects. The book is not a systematic theology or a Confession of faith, but it does tackle huge subjects. Cassidy leads readers to find out who Jesus is, what is sin, the importance of Holy Scripture, why Christ had to be crucified, the necessity of faith, the gift of eternal life, the value of love, why justification and adoption are crucial, how and why union with Christ is constitutional, preparation for hostility with sin and Satan, what the sacraments are and why they're paramount, how the church fits into our life, and what are healthy ways of going forward. It sits down into the seat next to us, and often gets into our business, such as when the author writes, "We can't save ourselves if we are the problem that needs to be solved. While we are victims in certain ways, the more radical and unpleasant truth that we seldom like to face is that we are victimizers as well - we are the ones who have inflicted pain on ourselves, on others, on creation, and supremely on God himself" (62).
For my fellow Calvinsists, Cassidy brings in the doctrines of grace where they belong. Instead of pulling them out, cutting them off at the base, and setting them on the flower stand to wilt and die, this TULIP grows in the hearty loam of God's bigger story to thrive and flourish. Which means that my non-Calvinist friends will similarly find the book very fruitful as well. The author even takes on dispensationalism in a gracious, subtle manner. The book is chock-full of stories, personal experiences, and is quite affable. I highly recommend the book.
My thanks to the author who sent me a copy of the book at my request, which was used for this review. He made no demands on me, and I gave him no promises. Therefore, this positive review is because I truly enjoyed the book, and am certain you will likewise!
The author walks readers through many important subjects. The book is not a systematic theology or a Confession of faith, but it does tackle huge subjects. Cassidy leads readers to find out who Jesus is, what is sin, the importance of Holy Scripture, why Christ had to be crucified, the necessity of faith, the gift of eternal life, the value of love, why justification and adoption are crucial, how and why union with Christ is constitutional, preparation for hostility with sin and Satan, what the sacraments are and why they're paramount, how the church fits into our life, and what are healthy ways of going forward. It sits down into the seat next to us, and often gets into our business, such as when the author writes, "We can't save ourselves if we are the problem that needs to be solved. While we are victims in certain ways, the more radical and unpleasant truth that we seldom like to face is that we are victimizers as well - we are the ones who have inflicted pain on ourselves, on others, on creation, and supremely on God himself" (62).
For my fellow Calvinsists, Cassidy brings in the doctrines of grace where they belong. Instead of pulling them out, cutting them off at the base, and setting them on the flower stand to wilt and die, this TULIP grows in the hearty loam of God's bigger story to thrive and flourish. Which means that my non-Calvinist friends will similarly find the book very fruitful as well. The author even takes on dispensationalism in a gracious, subtle manner. The book is chock-full of stories, personal experiences, and is quite affable. I highly recommend the book.
My thanks to the author who sent me a copy of the book at my request, which was used for this review. He made no demands on me, and I gave him no promises. Therefore, this positive review is because I truly enjoyed the book, and am certain you will likewise!
May 20, 2019
I would recommend that everyone go out and get a copy and then read Pastor David Cassidy’s book Indispensable. A warm, honest, insightful and refreshing look into the basics of Christian belief that is accessible to someone without a lot of familiarity with the Christian faith and helpful and encouraging to one who has been a Christian for many years. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
September 28, 2020
David Cassidy has successfully written a clear and non-technical presentation of the Christian life and faith. I would say it is suitable for a new believer or for an inquiring non- Christian. For that matter it is an enjoyable refresher and reminder for Christians of any level of maturity with its clear presentation and vivid real life illustrations.
May 7, 2019
Beautifully and carefully written, Cassidy provides readers with a comprehensive primer on Christian faith and practice that will prove helpful for skeptics and seekers, as well as those who have been committed to Christ for years.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews