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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best single book on the so-called "lordship" debate,
By
This review is from: Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles (Hardcover)
This is the follow-up to MacArthur's widely acclaimed first contribution to the debate, "The Gospel According to Jesus" (hereafter TGAJ). This current book seems to present a more careful reflection on the essential aspects of this debate than TGAJ exhibits.It begins with a helpful primer on the "lordship salvation" controversy, where MacArthur correctly identifies the relationship between repentance and conversion as the single most important issue in this controversy. No-lordship proponents assert that there is no necessary relationship between repentance (defined as purposing to turn from sin) and salvation, while lordship proponents aver that repentance is an essential component of the gospel message (Mk 1:14-15; Lk 24:45; Acts 3:19; 11:18; 20:21; 26:20). The startling implication from the no-lordship conception of conversion in this matter is that a sinner may intellectually believe the facts of the gospel for salvation while concurrently harboring hatred and rebellion against Christ in his/her heart! MacArthur also discusses the misrepresentation of the debate often made by no-lordship proponents, who frame the debate in terms that make it appear that the debate is ultimately over salvation by grace alone versus salvation by grace plus works (hence their inaccurate characterization of themselves as "free-grace" advocates). What most no-lordship advocates fail to note in their discussion of the debate is that proponents of lordship salvation conceive of God's saving grace as sovereign and dynamic. Proponents of lordship-salvation conceive of God's salvific grace as effecting not only the salvation of a sinner from the consequences of sin, but also from its tyranny and rule in his/her life. They assert that God's grace not only saves, but transforms. Therefore, when God saves a sinner, He not only brings him/her to an intellectual conviction about the saving ministry of Christ, but also to repentance and submission (in varying degrees) to the lordship of Christ. It appears (from the literature coming forth from the no-lordship camp) that they simply do not understand this essential consideration of the debate. Until they demonstrate an awareness of how lordship proponents conceive of God's grace (i.e. as sovereign and dynamic) the debate will continue to flounder and the proponents will continue to speak past one another. MacArthur also discusses the nature of saving faith, discussing (in chapters 3 and 9) the nature and result of the faith that saves and the character of faith that does not save. No-lordship advocates assert that saving faith is simple intellectual conviction about Jesus Christ as having secured one's eternal destiny (as of late, many no-lordship advocates are even averring that knowledge of Christ's substitutionary work on the cross is not necessary for salvation - consult the Fall 2000 issue of the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society for documentation). Lordship salvation conceives of saving faith as composed of knowledge (notitia), agreement (assensus), and trust or commitment (fiducia) in the Person of Christ as presented in Scripture. It is evident that the two sides of this debate are diametrically opposed on this essential matter of the character of the faith that saves. MacArthur also does a nice job in the book as he addresses the other important issues of this debate (e.g., the nature of the new life that has been freed from sin, the so-called "carnal Christian," and the doctrines of assurance and perseverance). He concludes with an excellent chapter entitled "What Must I do to Be Saved," which really is the ultimate question that this entire debate is centered upon. This is the practical outworking of the debate, and MacArthur demonstrates the important application this debate has to the presentation of the gospel message to sinners. This reviewer ultimately concludes that, from a practical standpoint, the two sides of this debate have two very different religions altogether. As a final note, the concluding appendices also include helpful material, especially the appendix that demonstrates the historical continuity between current lordship salvation theology, and the soteriology of the Reformation. It is clear that it is the advocates of so-called "lordship salvation" who are the theological heirs of the Reformation. This is *the* book to own if you are struggling with the "lordship salvation" debate, and I would even recommend it above TGAJ as *the* book to give to someone new to the debate. In addition to this book, I would also recommend Richard Belcher's book, "A Layman's Guide to The Lordship Controversy" and especially Robert Lescelius's book, "Lordship Salvation: Some Crucial Questions and Answers."
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
NOT Faith and Works, but FAITH THAT WORKS!,
By
This review is from: Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles (Hardcover)
Dr MacArthur is NOT adding Faith plus Works, and anyone who thinks he is is missing the point of the book! (By the way, I'll bet that the "reader from Dallas" is a faculty member at Dallas Theological--it takes a Theologian to foul up THAT badly! <G>) The book is a succinct summation, in layman's terms, of the author's position. While I don't agree with ALL his points, he deserves better than the summary dismissal that the last reviewer gave him.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mac Rightly Divides the Word of Truth,
By A Customer
This review is from: Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles (Hardcover)
If ever a book was needed to untangle the complete mess made by so-called "evangelicals" of this day with their "easy-believism" it is this one. Rev. MacArthur so meticulously illustrates the concept of Faith and Works that a person would have to be totally spiritually blind not to see it. Modern Christendom has been made a joke by the "no-lordship" propensity of popular ministers and this "doctrine of devils" puts in jeopardy anyone who follows its objectives. For as Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord and do not the things that I say." Faith without works is dead; genuine faith is made manifest, is proven by the works that flow from it. Dr. MacArthur makes clear that a believer is in no way saved by any meritorious works, but that if a believer is saved "you will know a tree by the fruit it bears." He takes a bad rap from those who want to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ conform to their ideas, instead of being conformed to the Gospel. But then again does not the Bible say that "all that will live Godly in Christ shall suffer persecution?"
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