Customer Reviews

Saved Without a Doubt (MacArthur Study)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

MacArthur helps people to see that their salvation is based only on the finished work of Jesus Christ: faith alone in Christ alone. It addresses a need in the church today, i.e., when so many are being taught that salvation is based on what you do to please God, instead of being taught (correctly) that salvation is based soley on the imputed righteousness of Christ.

I found the book to be very biblical. The Bible does offer salvation free by faith, but MacArthur does a great job of showing that if you ARE saved by faith, then you will see signs of that in your life. MacArthur points you to scripture, not peoples opinion's. After all, I wanted to know what the Bible says, not someone who thinks they are saved but have never had a change in their lives. MacArthur points out that many want to say they are saved, but at the same time hang on to a lifestyle of lawlessness. If you just want to deceive yourself and say that a person can be saved by "faith" alone (read: a faith that does not lead to a new life), then DONT READ THIS BOOK. (Or for that matter, don't read your Bible). But MacArthur does a great service to the genuine gospel by making an iron clad biblical case to show that salvation that is by faith, is not alone. Genuine faith produces fruit, or evidence. And that fruit is what we look for to give us assurance so we CAN have biblical assurance.

In spite of a Christians failures and sin, there is still a security for those who have trusted Christ as their personal savior. John MacArthur helps show you how the promise of your salvation is based on God's promises, not the believer's faithfulness. This is a must read for those who waiver in their understanding of their security in Christ.

This book is not a detailed defense of the doctrine of eternal security and the passages that pertain thereto (like you would find with Pink, Ironside or Strombeck), but rather a study in personal heart-felt assurance. MacArthur moves beyond the objective assurance of doctrinal truth to the subjective assurance of the fruits of the believer. He advocates a balanced approach to the doctrine that understands "the perseverance of the saints" as saints who actually persevere in faithfulness and godliness! As James writes, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (1:12).

MacArthur's critics claim that teachings like those found in Saved Without a Doubt are contrary to scripture and serve only to undermine the pure doctrines of the reformation. Nothing could be further from the truth. MacArthur's understanding of this doctrine serves to deny security to tares and dead branches (Matt. 13:38, John 15:6) while giving full assurance to the one who has truly been chosen of God, come to genuine faith in Christ, and been sealed with the Holy Spirit.

May God raise up more men like John MacArthur who are willing to hold to the plain teaching of scripture even in the face of adversity and slander.

I enjoy Dr. John MacArthur's books. He often is willing to take views contrary then most other evangelicals simply because he holds firmly to the truth that only God's Word is to decide truth from error (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In this short book, Dr. MacArthur's takes aim at those who would teach easy-believism but instead turns to the pages of holy writ in 1 John to see what John the Apostle would give to show us what true assurance of our salvation is.

The book has both its positives and weaknesses. The positives are that Dr. MacArthur seeks to stay true to his text. He seeks to build a strong defense for the Calvinistic doctrines of election, eternal security (perseverance of the saints) and ultimate glorification. He does take aim at other Calvinists or Arminians who he may feel violate the text or he simply points out what they might teach.

The negatives of this book are that Dr. MacArthur has trouble it seems balancing his view of eternal security with his view of biblical holiness. While he often seems to embrace holiness, it seems he in turn will embrace the common Calvinistic idea that sin is no longer the issue. It seems that view is hard to find in 1 John (sinning vs. holiness) or anywhere else in the NT.

Overall I give this book a thumbs up. While I don't fully agree with Dr. John all the time, I recognize that he often is willing to stand for truth when the rest of the evangelical church sleeps with the enemy. This book blows away the "saved and sitting" mentality found in many churches today. A great read for all disciples.

I have read the book, and am currently teaching a series through it called "Blesses Assurance". The 11 tests are simply an exegesis of 1 John, which many consider a very hard book to understand.
It says that a true Christian can not and does not sin (1 John 3:9). Without a proper exegesis of such passages, in light of the many other NT teachings about faith alone ('Sola Fide') many new Christians avoid such hard passages. Likewise with the lessons found concerning faith and works in the book of James.
I appreciate a clearer understanding from John's book, and my rating shows it. John Calvin said it best, "Faith Alone saves! But the faith that saves will NEVER be alone!"
John, as do I, teach faith alone for justification of sins. But a faith that does not bear fruit is dead. End of story. (James 2)

In a day where many are placated by mush, Dr Macarthur comes thru again with some solid food.

Unfortunately, this book does not point people to a biblical basis of assurance of one's salvation. Instead it gives 11 tests, which one is to use to see if one is "really" saved or not. (eg. "Are you sensitive to sin?", "Do you obey God's word?", "Do you love other Christians?") Of course, these are all subjective measures and no one has ever fulfilled these 100% of the time (with the exception of Jesus Christ). Thus, no one can ever be 100% sure of their salvation. MacArthur points individuals to look to one's works to see if one's saved. There can only be 2 possible results. 1) If one is honest with him or herself, looking to one's works is always a faulty foundation and can never assure. Thus, the person is left in despair. 2) If one is not honest, he or she trivializes the sin in their lives. Thus, they develop pride in their self-righteous position versus those who they feel don't measure up. MacArthur should have pointed individuals to the rock solid promises in God's word. This and only this is the biblical basis for assurance. Jesus promised eternal life to all who believe in Him for it. His promises are secure and they will never fail.

A very helpful and pastoral treatise

In a manner typical of John MacArthur, this book is filled with all of the works he thinks someone needs to do to be saved. The only condition for eternal life in the Bible is that one believes the promise Jesus made of the free gift of eternal life (John 3:14-16, 18; 5:24; 6:35-40, 47 ad passim). Christ's promise is the only valid means of assurance, yet MacArthur fires completely in the opposite direction. This book does not teach the Biblical doctrine of faith alone in Christ alone for salvation and assurance. Instead he tells the reader to check their works and HOPE they persevere in holiness until death. In reality, even this will not save you. Faith plus nothing = salvation, faith plus anything = damnation. This book preaches the latter; destoying assurance, decieving non-Christians, blinding their eyes to the gospel, and obliterating any hope for genuine Christ-likeness in those who have come to faith in Christ (through other means). MacArthur's book is a eisogetic and heretical mess. Read Confident in Christ by Bob Wilkin instead.