Customer Reviews

The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction

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This may be the best short summary of the Christian Life written in a long time. Dr. Ferguson has carefully and skillfully explained the biblical teachings which surround the Christian life. This a perfect introduction to Christian doctrine for a new believer and valuable refresher for the much-experienced. A must-have for anyone's library. Share it!

The average Christian books are so full of milk, fluff, worldly philosophies, and secular business teachings but seldom contain sound doctrine or meat from the Word of God. You will not find, for example, doctrinal books at the top of Christian best seller lists. How sad!

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson's book is a breath of fresh air for understanding the theology involved in the normal Christian life. His book is not a book of how to's or pop psychology but is a sound doctrinal book for every disciple of Jesus. Ferguson covers in 218 pages the theology of Christians. He covers our sinfulness, justification, election, prayer, and glorification and much more. He gives Scriptural truths for the sanctified life. This book is highly recommended!

This overview of the Christian life in terms of its key components as expounded in biblical doctrine is one of the most deeply scriptural, Christ exalting, and personally edifying books a young Christian - really, ANY Christian! - could read. Ferguson covers the full scope of a believer's saving relationship with God in simple language with incisive biblical explanation and warm pastoral application. In reading this book of just over 200 pages, I felt that there were no wasted words - no fluff in this book - just good solid food. Reading it was like eating an exquisite steak dinner with all the trimmings at a high class restaurant - I simply wanted to savor every bite and enjoy the whole meal! I hope this review is persuasive enough to get you to buy and read this book. After reading it, purchase five or ten more and give them away to others - this is really a very good book that deserves much wider distribution.

Most believers (including myself early in my walk with Christ) somehow believe that doctrine divides, that it is unimportant, or that it is only necessary for the "professionals" of the faith! As Sinclair Ferguson writes in his excellent, understandable, and practical book, The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction, "The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life." (pp.2). Ferguson breaks down some key doctrines in relatively short, easy to follow chapters that are filled with straightforward explanations of Scripture. If you think that doctrine and theology are too hard, give this book a try! You don't even have to read it straight through. You can simply read a chapter as a reference (for instance on Justification).

Ferguson writes, "We may have to rethink our personal response to doctrine in order to integrate it into the very warp and woof of our spiritual experience. For too many Christians for too long, `doctrine' has been thought of as impractical, stodgy and relatively useless. But we cannot obediently hear our Lord (surely the most practical man who ever lived), if we turn away from his doctrine. For he teaches doctrine in order to fill our lives with stability and grace." (pp. 4).

I've actually "field tested" this book at my last church. A small group was having some battles on predestination. I photocopied the chapter on Election from this book and gave it to one man who was struggling to both grasp and explain the issue. He found it very clear, helpful and faith-confirming. I hope that you will find it the same and your walk with the Lord will be richer and more joyous as a result.

This is a lovely little read that makes for a great introduction into reformed theology. This book is not one of systematic theology, but rather allows the reader to get his/her toes wet with the various doctrines that guide the Christian pilgrimage. From the Effectual Call to Glorification, this book provides the practical implications behind the things we now about God.

There are two things that I particularly enjoyed about this book aside from its overall qualities as mentioned above. First, Ferguson includes the works of various Christian intellectuals from throughout history in his chapters. This makes it feel like the book is part of a larger Christian tradition. Some examples of intellectuals Ferguson likes to quote include C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, and Thomas Watson. The passages that Ferguson quotes from such sources are truly beautiful and make this little work a treasure chest in terms of exposure to other notable authors. Secondly, Ferguson places a fair amount of emphasis on the practical implications of the theological doctrines he is writing about. I really felt that these points were particularly helpful and enlightening.

I read a chapter of this book each week and it gave me a really good boost during my week to be exposed to some basic reformed theology with such a rich tradition. This book definitely made me want to come back for more and I'll be reading some of Ferguson's other books, hoping for the same quality as I found here. This book's best demographic is probably that of Christians who have been in the faith for less than five years but more than one. Also, this would make a great Christian book club or small group selection. In any case, the book is fully deserving of the "classic" label that is has already earned with many.

Although not as widely known, I would also recommend The Gospel for Real Life (with Study Guide).

Simply stated, if you want a better understanding of grace and our need for it, read this book. A great book to introduce you to the most essential aspects of the Christian faith and how they impact our lives. This would be a great book to give to someone who needs answers to basic questions! Highly recommend it!

This book lays out in clear, concise language the essential parts of the reformed Christian faith. Sometimes if I put the book down for a while I would have to go back and re read some but it is not so dense that it is incomprehensible. It is very approachable and I would recommend it for self study or a Sunday school class