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In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life

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A book entitled In Christ Alone should pique the interest of any Christ follower who truly wants to follow Christ. A resounding Foreword by Alistair Begg doesn't hurt in increasing desire to read the book by the Scotsman Ferguson. The subtitle is the final blow that makes you pick this book up and read it--Living the Gospel Centered Life.

Ferguson starts with a worthwhile study theologians like to call Christology. To truly live a life centered on the Gospel (or good news of Christ) this is the logical place to begin--answer the question "who is Christ?" Then a cursory glance at the table of contents reveals the journey on which the author takes you discussing what it means to follow Christ including addressing such topics as the Holy Spirit, Grace, and Wisdom along the way.

Stylistically, this book though over two hundred pages in length is rather easy to read because the author keeps the chapters to bite-sized morsels. The average length of a chapter being only three or four pages, and that divided into sections that allow the reader to chew over the material quite handily.

Ferguson runs back and forth between John and Hebrews for the biblical foundation for most of the material. His discussion of the advent and work of Christ draws heavily on John's gospel then he turns to the book of Hebrews as he discusses the humanity of the Savior. Then he turns to the book of Romans to discuss how we must "exchange" our old life for the new one.

The book has several high points that make it well worth your time to read. Especially interesting are the chapters on discernment, mortification of sin, and living in Christian liberty. I was particularly inspired by the four principles the author enumerated in the discussion of Christian liberty:

Christian liberty must never be flaunted.
Christian liberty does not mean that you welcome fellow Christians only when you have sorted out their views on X or Y.
Christian liberty ought never to be used in such a way that you become a stumbling block to another Christian.
Christian liberty requires grasping the principle that will produce this true biblical balance: "We . . . ought . . . not to please ourselves . . . For even Christ did not please himself."

The conclusion serves as an object lesson for the reader. In what appears to be a tribute to Ferguson's friend and colleague Al Groves whose life and death seem to have been an inspiration for the book, the author provides an example of one who spent his life putting into practice the advice held within the covers of the book. Namely, to live life "In Christ Alone."

I would recommend this book to any Christ follower who has a desire to walk "In Christ Alone." Even the attacks on society's accepted norms in Christian behavior (turning Christ in to more of a Santa figure than a savior, for instance) are made in such a way that Christ is glorified.

In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair B. Ferguson, published by Reformation Trust (Lake Mary, FL: 2007), is a collection of articles originally published in Table talk and Eternity Magazine. The central theme of these articles is, obviously, our Lord Jesus Christ. I could perhaps title this review as Meeting Christ...Again, because this book introduces us to Jesus all over again. The chapters are short, just about four pages each, and are rather introductory level, but they tell us words about Christ that we need to be reminded of over and over again, no matter how far along we are in our Christian development. The chapters are arranged in six sections, each dealing with a different aspect of Christology.

The first section, titled "The Word Became Flesh" deals with the questions of the deity and humanity of Christ, and of His role as servant and conqueror. Due to the shortness of the chapters, you will not find an exhaustive apologetic defending the deity of Christ, or like issues, but you will be provided with many Scripture references to support the orthodox position, which Ferguson takes. Ferguson briefly answers the question of why Jesus had to be a man. Short as the answer is, it is fully Scriptural and satisfying. He does not engage in philosophical speculation but always refers the reader back to the Scriptures. This section serves as an excellent Biblical introduction of just who Jesus really is.

Part two, "The Heart of the Matter" goes from telling us Who Christ is in an introductory manner to telling us what He has done. An overview of the book of Romans explains reconciliation and justification in very clear, well-defined terms, showing how all of it is through Christ alone. Ferguson walks us through Hebrews, pointing out its Christ-glorifying messages on how Jesus is central in the history of redemption. Exposition is given on Jesus' roles as High Priest and King.

"The Spirit of Christ," the third section, moves to a discussion of the Holy Spirit, but in keeping with the Christological focus of the book, ties the Spirit to Christ. Dr. Ferguson explains about the Holy Spirit's relation to Christ and how the Spirit is given from Christ. He also tells us why knowing about such things matters. He says, "it implies that Jesus bore the Spirit throughout His life in order to give us the same Spirit He bore. The Spirit He gives to us is the very same Spirit who accompanied and sustained our Lord Jesus throughout the whole of His ministry" (p. 78). In this section, we learn about revival and spiritual gifts, all the while keeping the focus on Jesus.

In part four, we are shown "The Privileges of Grace". We learn of our union with Christ, and of the oft-neglected but very sweet doctrine of our adoptions as sons of God and co-heirs with Christ. We are pointed to Christ's words on the sovereign and modernistic work of God in regenerating our hearts. Ferguson teaches us of Jesus' fulfillment and perfection of all the Old Testament types and shadows. He instructs us on the nature and work of faith, and finally, of our total assurance which can only be gained by trusting in Christ alone.

Part five, "A Life of Wisdom," begins to look more at our practice as Christians. Part of Biblical wisdom is to "be what we are", that is, to live according to our professions and to be what God has turned us into. Ferguson shows us from the Bible how we are to live, to be discerning, and he tells us about our liberty in Christ, all of which are very practical issues. This section ends with an article on contentment, which is where wisdom leads us.

Finally, in section six, "Faithful to the End", Ferguson continues with more practical articles on our lives with Christ. I hate to use the word "practical" because all of the Bible is practical. But I use it in the technical sense of "pertaining to our actual practice". I am digressing from the summary a little bit to ride my own hobby-horse here, but I really, really refuse to say that any part of the Bible is not "relevant". I hate that word. And I'm sure Dr. Ferguson does as well, because he shows how doctrine is important to all of life. I don't know if that was his intention in what I'm referring to, but it came through nonetheless. After speaking of Satan's tendency to whisper to us that God doesn't really love us after all, he writes, "What is our defense? Here is Paul's: `God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us' (Rom. 5:8). Let the cross silence the Devil's slanders and convince you of the wonder of God's love" (p. 199). The cross is so important for every reason. We must not think that the cross is just an elementary level topic and that we move on from there to bigger and better doctrines like how to get healthy and wealthy. We must always come back to the cross. Elsewhere in this section, Ferguson writes, "Only an understanding of how the gospel method works can provide an adequate foundation and pattern for dealing with sin" (p. 218), and "when we understand the 'glorious exchange' principle of the gospel of grace, then we begin to make some real advances in holiness" (p. 221). So we see that all doctrine is practical. And thus ends my digression. Back to the book (though my digression is a logical conclusion after reading this excellent work, so I wasn't straying too off-topic). Ferguson writes of the place of suffering for Christ, of the need for leaders to first be servants, and the nature of temptation. In a chapter on apostasy (specifically dealing with the apostasy passages in the book of Hebrews) Ferguson miraculously manages to say in just a couple pages what it takes most people to say in whole volumes. Here is a writer who knows how to choose his words carefully. There are no wasted phrases here; all is of benefit to the reader.

The book concludes with Sinclair Ferguson's account of a deceased friend of his who may or may not have inspired the title of this book with his life, which was lived in Christ alone. Thus Ferguson ends this excellent book with an encouragement to live our lives in Christ alone, in light of all that has been said.

For students of the Reformation, the title of this book is immediately recognized as being one of the five sola slogans, but this book is about more than just that one. All of the solas run throughout this work, and I would imagine that this was not intentional on Ferguson's part, but was just a natural byproduct of him being so thoroughly biblical in thought. Where we glory in Christ alone, we must necessarily glory in God alone. Much of the book is given over to grace and faith. And sola Scriptura is seen in Ferguson's constant use of and reliance on Scripture. And when speaking on mortification of sin, he writes, " The first thing to do is to turn to the Scriptures. Yes, turn to John Owen (never a bad idea!) or to some other counselor dead or alive. But remember that we have not been left only to good human resources in this area. We need to be taught from `the mouth of God' if the principles we are learning to apply are to carry with them both the authority of God and the promise of God to make them work" (p. 217). I would recommend that you read this book with the Bible in one hand so that you can look up and meditate upon all the references that he provides. I am sure that this will be a rewarding experience as you are reminded from Scripture of the gloriousness of Christ.

Speaking of that, this book would be excellent for a small group study, as I have recommended to my own Bible study group. A whole evening could easily be spent examining and discussing all of the Bible passages found in just one chapter.

The chapters of the book often end in applicatory questions or statements that cause the reader to think about what he has just read and apply it to himself. And these aren't just missiles sent into the consciences of those outside "our camp." These were written for Reformed audiences, so the questions zing at us. For instance: "Do you know the Christ of the Gospels? Or have you fallen into the trap to which Christians (especially, perhaps, Reformed Christians) who love doctrine and systematic theology are sometimes susceptible (unlike John Calvin, it should be said): fascination with dogmatic formula at the expense of love for the Savior's person?" (p.67). This isn't just choir preaching.

I can't really think of anything negative to say. I found nothing in the theology to disagree with. The writing style is very interesting and engaging, much the way R. C. Sprout speaks. If I were to offer any negative criticisms, I guess it would be that the chapters are just too short. Now I understand that this was intentional, as the chapters were originally just little magazine articles. Nevertheless, perhaps a bibliography at the end to lead the reader to more literature on the topics talked about would be very useful. Ferguson whet my appetite for more on just about everything he wrote about. So yes, I would ask for some sort of recommended reading list. Also, this book uses end-notes instead of footnotes, and I hate that. But I guess that is the publisher's fault and not the author's.

In all, I must say, what an excellent book! I am now eager to look for other works written by Ferguson, as this was my first substantial exposure to him. As Dr. Ferguson says of the atonement, so all of this book "is theology of the most exalted and mind-stunning nature" (p. 55).

This book is a collection of short essays which started as articles written by Sinclair Ferguson for Eternity Magazine and Tabletalk over the course of twenty years. There are fifty short chapters, none longer than four pages, grouped in six sections. The topics of the sections are

* the incarnation
* the different aspects of Christ's work on our behalf
* the ministry of the Spirit
* the privileges of grace
* the expression of the gospel in our lives
* the faithful life

I took In Christ Alone with me as I traveled recently. Since each short chapter stands alone, it was perfect for reading during the snippets of time I had before boarding a flight or during short delays. It would also be just right for tucking into a purse or pocket for reading during the supermarket check-out wait or any of life's other annoying line-ups and holdups.

This is a devotional book, but like all quality devotional books, it is firmly biblical and doctrinal. It is also very accessible. There is nothing here that any Christian reader would find difficult to understand, and at the same time, I'm willing to bet that almost any reader will see at least a few of the blessings we receive in Christ with fresh eyes.

Best of all, In Christ Alone will give the reader a thorough grounding in the gospel, which is essential for every believer, for, as Alistair Begg writes in the foreword, the gospel is "the A to Z of Christianity." Yes, more and more, I am learning that the key to living the Christian life is knowing and remembering what Christ has done and what we receive because of his work. Sinclair Ferguson has given us a book that will help us continue to preach this good news to ourselves so that we can center our whole lives around Christ and his work for us, in us, and through us.

In 2004 I picked up John Piper's Life is a Vapor and Pierced by the Word. I devoured both, using them back-to-back that summer for devotional springboards. Up until that time, the devotionals I had been exposed to were incredibly short, and usually related to some promise that had nothing to do with me contextually. Piper's devotionals were different because of the time he took to pull out rich theology from the text of Scripture... theology that was so grand that the practicality of it could hardly be missed.

In Christ Alone has a similiar flavor to it. The chapters are 3-7 pages each, just about perfect for a morning devotional. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson takes Scripture and pulls out rich theology, all of it (as the title would suggest) amazingly Christocentric. Most of his meditations come from the gospel of John and the letter to the Hebrews; this creates a unifying aspect to the chapters beyond the way he structures them.

Basic thesis for the book? Christ Himself is the impetus for daily Christian living.

His way of writing is masterful, to say the very least. He knows how to draw one into each meditation... in fact, one could call his writing periodic in the sense that he doesn't usually reveal the "punch line" until the end of each chapter. Typically beginning with a personal anecdote ("I almost choked on my doughnut" prompted me to laugh for a few minutes), he moves into a text right away, giving a proposition up front but not fully revealing the weight of that proposition until the end.

Some examples of topics include: a whole section of the Holy Spirit's relationship to Christ, and exposing Scripture that shows how Christ is the forefront of our sanctification. It is His Spirit in us. Also, Dr. Ferguson uses Hebrews to show the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Christ, as well as to compare the promises given to Israel with their completion in the Church. Just thinking about it as I write, his examination of our forensic benefits in Christ is worth the cost of the book alone. He expositionally probes Scripture to show the weightier elements of what Christ has purchased for us.

However, the most helpful section for me was on faithfulness. I would likely be labeled as a Reformed Baptist, which includes a certain amount of indicative faithfulness built into my theology. God will indeed preserve me. But I struggle sometimes in thinking through all the imperatives to faithfulness (to persevere). The way Dr. Ferguson unpacks Matthew and Hebrews in the last section was challenging and eye-opening. We can be deceived to the point that when we think we'll be entering heaven's gates, we're in fact about to find ourselves in hell. Sobering thoughts. We are able to be deceived, and we should be on watch.

A firm grip on Christ helps this. What does this look like? Solid theology that impacts the way you think and live your life. In Christ Alone is full of such material, and receives my whole-hearted recommendation.

Joni Eareckson Tada goes as far as to say, "The title In Christ Alone is enough to make hearts brave and souls stand at attention" (ii). I agree. While reading this book, I saw afresh the glory of Christ, especially in Ferguson's treatment of the gospel of John and the book of Hebrews. Christ alone is our all-sufficient Savior.

As Ferguson put it in chapter 4, Christ alone was "free from the need to die for his own sin and . . . in possession of the power to recover his life again" (p. 26). As recently pointed out, only 57 percent of evangelicals today believe Christ is the exclusive Savior of sinners. Of course, this is counter to straightforward words of Christ himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). It has always been the task of sinners and false teachers to attempt to deconstruct Christ's words to say they mean something entirely different, but the Bible is abundantly clear: in Christ Alone my hope is found. There is no conquering love greater than the love of Christ for his sheep. That is why I believe Ferguson's book is needed in churches today.

Dr. Ferguson is a gifted pastor and teacher. His primary concern in this book is to expound what Scripture says about Jesus Christ. I highly recommend reading this book. It would also make an excellent resource for a basic theology course at church or an intensive on the doctrine of Christ. Its short chapters make it a swift read, but also draw on the fact that each chapter says exactly what is needed.

Sinclair Ferguson is quite a wordsmith. I love his sermons and sat under him at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia for 2 years. I haven't read all his books but quite a few and this is my favorite so far. The chapters are short and yet so full of wisdom. He explains many Reformed beliefs in a very readable and beautiful way. I know a family with high schoolers who used this for family devotions and loved it and the discussions that it launched.

"In Christ Alone" by Sinclair Ferguson is a wonderful book, either for new Christians who want to dig right in to the truths found in God's word, or for long-time believers in Christ who want to refresh and deepen what they know or maybe never knew before. Too many churches no longer teach and preach deep truths, preferring to entertain and keep things "light", imparting church-goers with little more than feelings and emotions....and leaving them vulnerable to attack by false teachers - - a subject near and dear to my heart, as several of my family members have been lured into a cult. I believe today's lack of strong Biblical teaching has left even regular church-goers vulnerable to false teachers, who mix just enough truth with their deadly heresies to lure those without a firm foundation in God's word. With that said, I highly recommend this book - give yourself time to read thoughtfully and with an open Bible.

Chapter 22 - Joy Through Light

Sinclair B Ferguson presents a short, yet well-rounded view on the illumination brought by the Spirit. In an earlier chapter, the view that revelation would be permitted a select few only was introduced. Concerning the gift of immediate revelation, Ferguson there frames the argument that John 14:26; 16:12-13 relates specifically to the office of apostle: 'This is frequently read as if it were a promise given directly to us. But this is to bypass the context, for here Jesus is speaking to the apostles. He is specifically promising them that they will be vehicles of new revelation that will, eventually, constitute the New Testament Scriptures.' p 85

'Context limits and imparts an author's intended meaning.' Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching p 76

Entering the amphitheatre again, Ferguson opens reasons commendable of further consideration. Four grounds are offered as to why the supernatural gifts had belonged to the apostolic age: 1) Following Christ's ascension and exaltation, the Holy Spirit was given to the church to mark the coronation of the reigning Christ. Therefore, those gifts were the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29, as the last days were inaugurated in the power of the Spirit. 2) True to biblical history, and as confirmed by all the epochs of redemption, the initial proclamation was marked by an outpouring of the activities associated with the gift of revelation, with the attendant signs announcing a climactic intensity and divine origin. 3) Ferguson maintains that the function these gifts served has ceased in the light of NT revelation itself saying so: Acts 2:22; 14:3; 2 Cor 12:2; Heb 2:3-4. 4) The absence of the gifts in the NT writings with a later dating constitute the presupposition that written revelation had by then become regulatory. The apostles' own thought and writing bear this out, whilst the revelatory gifts were relegated to a passing phenomenon by a single, the first, generation of Christians.

Ferguson admits that whilst the Spirit does give temporary gifts throughout redemptive history, certain continuing gifts are bestowed on the church. In line with this contention, Sinclair Ferguson introduces the importance of illumination, which is the role the Holy Spirit occupies in the life of the believer. 'Indeed, it could be regarded as Paul's basic presupposition that the Spirit's aid was indispensable if man was to know anything about God.' Donald Guthrie, New Testament Theology p 556. He proceeds to present the case for illumination being dependant upon Holy Scripture, and instigates a higher regard for the Holy Spirit working through this means of grace, than for instance, the common practice of 'God told me...'

'For this reason one of the leading motifs of Paul's preaching is that his gospel is according to the Scriptures (Rom 1:17; 3:28; Rom 4; Gal 3:6; 4:21; 1 Cor 10:1-10; Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 9:10; 2 Tim 3:16 etc.).' Ridderbos, Paul: An Outline of His Theology p 51

As to there being a fundamental difference in how the Spirit was operative in the apostles who witnessed, proclaimed and recorded redemption, and our own age, Ferguson avers: 'But while He illuminated the minds of the apostles in relationship to His action in history, He illumines our minds in relation to the words in Scripture.' p 107

Ferguson is prepared to advance his premise as being in one accord with the biblical data: 1) He presents Christ Himself as regularly studying OT Scripture, to the point that He could recall it with apparent ease, and sufficiently inform Himself as to the will of God for His life. 2) Our growth in truth and grace must be informed by a gradual growth in the knowledge of God, and therefore God's Word, before we may be able to discern with confidence the application thereof to our own lives. 3) A love for Scripture, together with viewing it as the final authority in the life and practice of the Christian, and a desire to realize the glory of God in our lives may certainly allow for the gifting of illumination to move unchecked, without restraint or manipulation. In a successive chapter such a caution arises from our adversarial application of this great privilege. Ferguson adds for our good the great danger of imposing our will upon the divine: 'Our relationship to Christ is intimately connected to what we do with our Bible! As Christ's Word dwells in us and the Spirit fills us, we will begin to pray in a way consistent with the will of God and discover the truth of our Lord's often misapplied promise: 'You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you' (John 15:7).' p 114 Says Ferguson:

'In a well-taught, Spirit-illumined believer, the revelation of Scripture becomes so much a part of his or her mindset that the will of God frequently seems to become clear instinctively, and in that sense, 'immediately'.' p 109

'Illumination and direction by the Spirit through the Word of God will focus themselves in our consciousness in these ways.' Professor John Murray, Collected Writings 1:188

i found this book to be like a bowl of icecream. with each bite i wanted more. i highly recommend this to all that like a refresher in the basics while being taught the deep truth of scripture.

In this refresher of biblical truths Dr. Sinclair Ferguson does a very good job of pulling all of scripture together to point to the working of Christ in all things. This book could easily be used as a devotional since the chapters are very short and to the point. Dr. Ferguson does well to keep the depth of insight and yet provide very practical applications of truth. As I pushed my way through this book I came upon many biblical truths that, sadly to admit, I had forgotten. I came upon chapters expounding the message of Romans and Hebrews, two of my favorite books in the entirety of scripture, and was eager and excited to delve into them with pen and paper in hand. Many of the chapters were on faith as our way of salvation, as Dr. Ferguson says, "The genius of the divine way of salvation by faith is that in it we are personally, actively united to Jesus Christ, but in a way that contributes nothing to His work. Faith is by definition noncontributory; it is the reception of Christ, not an addition to His finished work".

While I do agree with the very biblical nature of this book, I highly disagree with the view that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ended when the last disciple of the Apostles had passed away. Knowing that the Reformed view of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is such that it states the gifts were a way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and to build up the early church. I do not believe this to be a salvation issue but I do find it to be close to denying that those who have experienced the outpouring of the Spirit have had authentic encounters with the Holy Spirit that proceeds from the Father. I myself have had several encounters when humbled at the throne of God. I come from a background of mixed theology and in my own theology I find that I mix and mingle what I think to be true biblical doctrine. I find that I cannot deny the working of the Spirit among the people of God today, not only because I find the working of the Spirit to be biblical, but I also see that the Holy Spirit is alive in my family and the working of revealing the truth of scripture to me as I read. While the reformed view does not say that the Spirit works today, they deny that many of the gifts the early church had, are in use today. I respect their view and can see how scripture can be used to defend both sides of the argument. I believe it's not a big deal when you know biblical truths for yourself and are firm in your own convictions.

I hope that you will pick this book up and examine the truths of scripture it contains. A very helpful book that I will no doubt continue to dive into for practical application of the entire word of God. If you hunger for the unadulterated gospel of Christ, you will no doubt be encouraged by this book. If you want a basic layout of doctrine and if you like to study theology then I would ask you to have this book on your bookshelf alongside your study of scripture. Dr. Ferguson has done very well to weave his way through the bible in a systematic approach and I have learned a great deal from this book.

In compensation for writing this review I will receive a free copy of this book from Reformation Trust Publishing.

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