John MacArthur's earlier book The Gospel According to Jesus made him a theological lightning rod for people who think they understand what the Bible teaches about faith and works.
He could not have chosen a more sensitive topic that would draw more fire.
Ever since the days of the apostles Paul and James, Christians have struggled to define the proper tension between faith and works. Salvation, Paul stresses is "not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). But James argues, "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (2:18). In fact, he asserts, "Faith without works is dead."
In his characteristic compelling style Dr. MacArthur reconciles these two seemingly divergent threads of biblical truth, taking on the difficult questions head on:
What is cheap grace?
Have some Christians adopted a quot;no-lordship" theology?
What must a person do to be considered righteous by God?
Do our works have any affect on our salvation?
Jesus asked his followers, "Why do you call me Lord and not do the things that I tell you to?" When John MacArthur dared in his earlier book to ask us this question, critics accused him of shelving grace. Others read the same book and heard in it the identical message preached since the founding of the Church.
Will this book clear the air or revive the controversy?
"The Gospel According to the Apostles is the same gospel Jesus preached," Dr. MacArthur says, "but it differs dramatically from the diluted message popular today. I pray you'll find this book an encouragement as you seek to put your own faith to work."
