Customer Reviews

Invitation System

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Dr. Murray has given us a tool. It is a tool that allows us to pull away the blinders of the present day altar call system of the evangelical church and presents a biblical critique of the system. Murray, while Reformed in his own theology, stays true to his tast and offers the reader biblical proof that the altar call system is a created system by men. It comes from a pragmatic view of evangelism that emphasises numbers above true coversions. It has come to us from Charles Finney to Billy Graham.

My hope is that every Christian will read this book and understand that the altar calls, the "sinner's prayer," and other forms of mass evangelism are not found in the Bible. Discipleship, however, is but then again that will cost you (Luke 14:25-35) and we don't want to pay a price for anything, especially salvation (Titus 1:16; Jude 3-4).

Mr.Murray does a fine job of disputing the efficacy as well as the lack of scriptural support for the Finney designed (note that God had nothing to do with it) idea of the "invitation" system so widely practiced in evangelical churches. The book is short and to the point. I was surprised how old it's original publication date is!

Mr.Murray was prescient in noting the flaws of this approach. Unfortunately, the author leaves out the call to be baptized upon belief, just as many churches and preachers also do today.

My recommendation: read the Bible, especially Acts of the Apostles, in order to observe the pattern of conversion practiced by and taught by the Apostles. And forsake all traditions of men that they teach as doctrine (Matthew 15:3, Mark 7:13) and understand the teaching of Jesus with childlike simplicity. Only men confuse and explain away what is plainly written.

After reading this book I came to the conclusion that the invitation system is both a crime against God and man! This method, as I believe, is part of why the church is so very weak here in America. There are people who think that because I signed my name to a card or came down to the front out of my seat or lifted up my hand then I am a Christian. This book is wonderfully written and well informed on the subject. It isn't very long at all and can be read in one sitting but loaded with discerning wisdom. I know it can and has opened the eyes of many people. It comes highly recommended.

While Murray very clearly shows that the "altar call", as recognized by modern Evangelicals, is not biblical in it's origins, one should be careful to discount the way that God has been pleased to work through that means on so many occasions.

Charles Finney's converts, according to supposed authorities, we're among the most steadfast and enduring. I don't agree with a lot of Finney's theology.

How well I remember the night 37 years ago when I heard the gospel preached in its simplicity and power, and how my heart was pierced with both the love of the Savior and my bitter need for forgiveness. When the altar was opened and sinners welcomed, I almost ran forward. As I responded to the work of God in my soul, I was gloriously converted. I prayed the "sinners prayer" and when I was finished, I knew I was heard, was forgiven, and was now a child of God.

I am living proof that God works through these "altar calls".

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come unto Me and drink...If anyone is weary and heavy laden, let him come unto Me and find rest..." "For everyone who shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved..."

Best not reduce these texts to something less than they are. They are invitations to come to Jesus. Moody believed that when he preached the gospel that God was working to confirm the word in the hearts of the hearers - for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. Moody felt it his moral obligation to not only preach the gospel, but to urge men to act on the truth. "Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts..."

Good advice to anyone who is listening to the gospel. Why not give them an opportunity to express the faith they've been given? Just don't tell them they're saved because they've prayed a prayer. Only the Holy Spirit has a right to tell them. 37 years ago, I didn't need a preacher or anybody else to tell me that I was saved! For the life of Jesus had been born in my soul. I had passed from death to life and knew it full well. Would I have been saved without the altar call that night? Probably so. But the altar call wonderfully served the process. Amen.