Customer Reviews

The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception

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This very important book for today's evangelicals, is an outstanding blend of exposition, church history, theology, and engagement with trends in the contemporary evangelical church. MacArthur expounds the exhortation of Jude to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints with both clarity and conviction. He begins by asserting the reality of objective truth and cataloguing some of the attacks on truth from within the ranks of the church. MacArthur very clearly distances the Christian's "truth war" from the violent jihad of Islamic fundamentalism, and reminds us that our warfare is not against flesh and blood and is not fought with earthly weapons. But at the same time, he reminds us that we are both ambassadors of the Lord and soldiers in spiritual battle, and that we do not serve the truth well by building alliances with false teachers. Along the way, he develops the original context of Jude's letter and discusses some of the most important battles against false teaching in the history of the church (for example, the battles against Judaizers, Gnosticism, Sabellianism, and Arianism). He shows how to spot false teachers by pointing out the sin-producing effects of their teaching. As with many of MacArthur's books, this is a polemic targeted at specific strands of teaching in today's evangelical church, specifically the Emerging church and one of its primary spokesmen, Brian McLaren.

I disagree with the opinion of another reviewer who criticizes MacArthur's appeal to church history with the claim that "MacArthur has never show[n] a tendency to care about what the `Church' has to say about anything." This reviewer has not read enough of MacArthur's other writings, which often conclude with appendices full of quotations from some of the stalwarts of church history (check, for example, The Gospel According to the Apostles, Ashamed of the Gospel, Reckless Faith, The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness). The same reviewer comments that "this [writing polemical books] is all he [MacArthur] seems to do." Again, not true. Most of MacArthur's books, in fact, are commentaries and Bible study guides. There are many, many others that are simple and non-polemical books on various aspects of Christian living. But MacArthur does carry a unique burden for truth and often jumps in where others fear to tread. This is a great gift to the church and I'm grateful for MacArthur's legacy of biblical faithfulness - even though I would disagree with him on a few issues.

My one critique of the book is his (possibly inadvertent?) lumping of Mark Driscoll into the same crowd as other Emerging church leaders. MacArthur cites a quote from Don Miller's Blue Like Jazz about "Mark the Cussing Pastor" in a critical context. Everyone who knows anything about the Emerging church knows that this is Mark Driscoll, who unfortunately, has lacked some discretion in his use of language at times. However, he has, on the whole, proven himself a man of both biblical faithfulness and personal integrity. His theology would be quite similar to Dr. MacArthur's in most respects, even if his methodology is different. Driscoll shouldn't be considered a false teacher (if that was the implication MacArthur was intending to make) just because of his language, any more than Luther should be considered a false teacher because of his frequent use of invective in denouncing Roman Catholicism during the Reformation. That critique aside, I think this is an excellent book and deserves a very wide readership.

A number of weeks before this book was announced, I wrote to Dr. MacArthur asking if/when he might write a book such as this. Imagine my delight when I learned that one WAS going to be released and soon!

The Emergent Church is creating havoc within Christendom. Like Gnosticism and the Judaizers of the early church, the blantant error that is coming in like a flood into the modern-day church needs to be brought under the truthful light of Scripture, where it will not survive. That can only happen when faithful and courageous Christians are willing to call into question the very things that are being espoused. Paul, Jude, James, Peter - none of these men hesitated to call error error. Paul especially named names. There MUST be a willingness among Christians today to stand against the error in whatever form it comes. The Bereans even applied Paul's teachings to the litmus test of the Scriptures and it did not bother Paul at all. In fact, he seemed to applaud it! Yet, when what is being taught today is questioned, then those asking the questions are accused of being "legalists," "hatemongers," or "divisive." If this is so, then certainly Christ was "divisive" as was Paul, Jude, James, Peter and numerous others who stood against the tide of lies that literally sprang from Satan's domain.

Too often in today's desire to be ecumenically "inclusive," not only are lies allowed, but they are often encouraged, as if the lie itself does no harm and is simply a matter of denominational variance. In truth, many of the lies that are being promulgated by Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo, Rick Warren and others attack the very foundation upon which Christianity rests!

Dr. MacArthur's book could not have come at a more appropriate time in the life of the church. I pray that its message will be heeded by true Christians everywhere. The fight for truth is not an option.

I live in the Denver, CO, area. I am the host of Let's Pray!, a radio vignette nationally syndicated on 328 stations, the author of a Scripture-based prayer guide, PRAYING IN THE WORD OF GOD, and the co-director with my husband, Dr. Paul Grant, of THE BREAD OF LIFE FOUNDATION.

Having been saved at the age of 30 out of an atheistic background, I have been astonished by the lack of Biblical belief and obedience by the majority of Christians in America. My husband and I have taught prayer to 24 denominations in 21 states and have found an appalling lack of love for Jesus, for prayer, for obedience to Christ, and for Biblical truth. We've often wondered in the last 29 years whether we're insane. We are often alone, often persecuted, yet madly in love with Jesus!

This book, more than anything else, has answered the question "are we insane?" with a resounding, "no!" We are not insane to stand up for the absolute truth of the Word of God. We are not insane to judge Christian leaders by that truth. We are not insane even though we often feel so alone! Jesus Christ is worthy. He has always been resisted by those who oppose Him.

We are forever grateful to Dr. MacArthur for giving us a historical perspective of the opposition to "the Truth" and for giving us so much needed support. I will never be so easily disuaded from standing for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. This book is a life saver for me and for my husband! I know, now, that I ought to expect this kind of perversion of truth, I ought to count in pure joy to suffer persecution for Christ's sake, and I must continue speaking the truth in love knowing full well that many will not receive it.

More persecution lies ahead as the days grow more wicked. May Jesus Christ be pleased with my life and service! May I hear from Him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" And may you, too, hear those wonderful words!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Dr. John MacArthur is not afraid to tackle difficult issues using the Bible. Over the years MacArthur has written timely books such as CHARISMATIC CHAOS, RECKLESS FAITH, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS, HARD TO BELIEVE, and so many others that have dealt with difficult issues and faulty theology. His latest book, THE TRUTH WAR, tackles the so called "emerging church movement." MacArthur is not afraid to take the movement to taks using not only their own writings and speeches but he also opens the readers mind to the Scriptures to help you see the importantce of not only knowing the errors of the emerming church but also what is the biblical definition of truth. Truth, writes MacArthur, is what we must live and die for because truth is not only found in the pasges of God's Word, the Bible, but in the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ who was truth incarnate (John 14:6).

I appreciated the tone of this book. MacArthur is not writing to make friends but he is writing with a passion for the truth of God's Word to be preserved. Using the short epistle of Jude, MacArthur shows that the fight for truth has been an ongoing struggle for the Church but with the sword of the Lord, Christians can overcome these attacks against the truth (Ephesians 6:17). This age of tolerance is forcing the Church of God to either rise up and declare with boldness (Proverbs 28:1) that God and His Word alone are the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) or we will lose the war. While the battle is not being fought with guns or swords, the truth is being ignored for popular culture. We must guard the truth (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

Overall this is a great book and bound to be a classic for MacArthur. Over the years I have grown to love his ministry and heart and have no doubt that MacArthur is willing to lay his life down for the sake of the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). While I have not always agreed 100% with him, I have found that he is man of the Word who believes that proper theology and practice go hand in hand (Matthew 7:24-27). Every disciple of Jesus should read and study this important book on truth in an age of deception.

A book usually has to be released before it gets talked about. Makes sense, right?

Not so with The Truth War by John MacArthur. This book had people talking months ago. Would it be another Ashamed of the Gospel? Would MacArthur again call out by name those within Evangelicalism who diminish truth in favor of crowd-pleasing methods and theology? Would this be the bomb on the Emergent/Emerging battleground?

What MacArthur actually does is to exegete the book of Jude, with special emphasis on verses 3-4,

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude wrote with urgency, knowing that false teachers within the church (apostates) were wrecking spiritual havoc among Christians. MacArthur defines apostasy as, "Soul-destroying error that arises from within the church. ...It speaks of abandonment, a separation, a defection- the abdication of truth altogether."

And where is the spirit of apostasy most found in today's church? Postmodernism. MacArthur believes postmodernism warps the way Evangelicals think and talk about truth. No longer is truth conceived as that "which was once for all delivered to the saints." Instead, "hermeneutical humility" trumps all concern for Biblical orthodoxy.

We are called to perpetual spiritual warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against all the spiritual forces who repeat the mantra of the serpent in the garden, "Did God really say...?"

Now, what Christian would disagree with this teaching from Jude? Let me be clear - the vast majority of MacArthur's book is a Bible study, and his understanding of Jude is impeccable.

If MacArthur is correct in his understanding of Jude's message (the danger of apostates and apostasy), is it wrong to actually give some concrete examples from current Evangelical life? If he has correctly diagnosed the spirit of the age as being "a tendency to dismiss the possibility of any sure and settled knowledge of the truth", then should we turn a blind eye to those within Evangelicalism who embody such a spirit?

Does MacArthur name names? Yes. With various degrees of criticism, he mentions Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Chris Seay, John Armstrong, Rick Warren, Donald Miller, and Doug Pagitt. MacArthur says their ministries emphasize theological minimalism and a downplaying of divine truth as the real foundation of the church. He says, "Bible teaching, even in the best of venues today, has been deliberately dumbed-down, made as broad and as shallow as possible, oversimplified, adapted to the lowest common denominator- and then tailored to appeal to people with short attention spans.

On some points, MacArthur would give an example of theological error within Evangelicalism without actually using the person's name. For example, he says, "For at least a decade now, Evangelical best-seller lists have included a steady stream of works by authors and musicians who deny the doctrine of the Trinity. They hold to a distinctive version of modalism." Everybody knows MacArthur is talking about author T.D. Jakes and musical group Phillips, Craig, and Dean, but he doesn't actually drop their name in.

Again, MacArthur notes a preacher's misuse of Acts 26:2, "I think myself happy", and says, "This man pulled out the phrase `I think myself happy' and preached a sermon on the importance of positive thinking in the midst of adversity! ... That preacher had corrupted the intent of Paul's inspired words because he was using the verse out of context to teach an unbiblical doctrine." Now, who do you suppose would preach a sermon about "Thinking yourself happy"? Joel Osteen is the preacher, but his name is not given.

My point in mentioning this is that if you add up all the criticism MacArthur gives to specific Evangelicals, you have to see that MacArthur is actually very reserved in his comments. He could have documented and discussed for an entire chapter each of the men listed above. He chose instead to spend the bulk of his book talking about Jude, and allows the reader to make the application in their own setting. Let the timeless Word of God do the work - this is excellent.

This method serves the church well, for although the men who are mentioned above are "leaders" within Evangelicalism, I doubt that any of them have set foot your local church within the last month. So, it is not these men themselves in the flesh, but their ideas, theology, and ministry example which pose a danger to our own local churches.

And so, the work of discernment and "Fighting for certainty in an age of deception" is the task of the local church. Pastors must do this work in their own ministry. Elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, fathers and mothers - we must all be engaged in "The Truth War" right where we are at.

MacArthur says, "One of the main lessons of Jude's epistle is that Christians must never cease fighting. We cannot pretend error is no longer worth battling in our generation. We should not imagine that the enemy has finally shifted into retreat mode. The war against the truth goes on continuously, unrelentingly, on multiple fronts- and it always has."

I found this book to be both provocative and helpful. The provocative part is the timeless message of Jude itself, calling us to be bold in our confrontation of error and explanation of truth.

Buy the truth and sell it not. This work is so important. I cannot see why those who call themselves Christians would be mad at this volume; it must be rubbing them the wrong way.

Jesus stood for his Father's truth that was being corrupted by the religious leaders of his day. Paul did the same. Church history is replete with the same. So why hate on MacArthur because he exposes false teachers.

Below are direct quotes from each chapter.

Chap 1:
"One of the most basic, universal, and undeniable axioms of all human thought is the absolute necessity of truth."

"After thousands of years, the very best of human philosophers have all utterly failed to account for truth and the origin of human knowledge apart from God."

"Postmodernism has resulted in a widespread rejection of truth and the enshrinement of skepticism."

"Emerging Christians are determined to adapt the Christian faith, the structure of the church, the language of faith, and even the gospel message itself to the ideas and rhetoric of postmodernism."

Chap 2
"When you reflect on how much of the Christian message is undermined by postmodernist notions about truth, it turns out the current controversies are infinitely more serious than McLaren wants to pretend."

"When false teaching goes unchallenged, it breeds more confusion and draws still more shallow and insincere people into the fold."

Chap 3
"Influential people who profess or pretend to believe the truth although they do not savingly believe it are probably the greatest internal danger the church faces."

"Some have even suggested that truth is broad enough to accommodate all well-intentioned ideas from non-Christian religions."

Chap 4
"They must be exposed for what they are, and their doctrines must be refuted witht the clear proclamation of truth from Scripture."

Chap 5
"They have in effect embraced the postmodern axiom that dialogue is morally superior to debate, a conversation is inherently more edifying than a controversy, and fellowship is always better than a fight."

Chap 6
"Try as they might, they cannot overthrow or even slightly derail the eternal purposes of God."

"When we attack the lies of an utter apostate with the truth, we are doing the work of God. There is no need to pull punches."

Chap 7
"Contemporary evangelicalism seems bent on shaping itself into the most stylish, trendy movement in the history of the church."

"Apparently, some evangelicals are prepared to let the dogmas of political correctness trump any article of faith."

Chap 8
"Biblical ignorance within the church may well be deeper and more widespread than at any other time since the Protestant Reformation."

"Today's church-growth experts seem to have no confidence in Scripture's power."

"Megachurches have been built by men with strong entrepreneurial skills and weak exegetical skills."

This latest book by John MacArthur speaks to the dangers of postmodernity's encroachment on the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. [...]

This is by far one of the best books I have read. MacArthur's rock-solid theology and biblical evidence provides a sound basis for his arguement that we (as the body) must fight for the truth. His examples of the shortcomings of postmodern thinking/theology ring in your ears while you immediately picture similar conversations in your life. You then realize the relevance and immediacy needed for a message like this in our culture today.

After some disappointment with other books/study guides, I chose to read this for my men's small group and the resulting discussions have been amazing; much more fruitful than when we have read books like those by Eldridge. It is even encouraging to see that these discussions have been driving us to take action - not to just sit around and talk about things.

Hopefully this review has been helpful - I would HIGHLY recommend this book!

John MacArthur is a giant of biblical exposition, and I have long been his fan. How's that for full disclosure from the very beginning? His scholarship is impeccable and his wisdom and insight have been treasured by an entire generation of us who have been blessed to follow his ministry, though I have listened to only one recording of a MacArthur sermon and have never been to one of his conferences (I guess I don't qualify as a groupie). MacArthur writes this book in the twilight of his ministry, pondering the challenges of Post-Modernism and warning us of dangers that lie ahead. His chief concern has to do with certain leaders and theological trends in the Emerging Church movement whose theology is becoming increasingly weak, muddy and, sometimes, frighteningly extra-biblical.

MacArthur uses the tiny epistle of Jude as the expositional framework for his prophetic warnings. I would urge you to read this book and prayerfully consider his message. Some have commented they do not like his stringent tone. Whatever you perceive his tone to be, consider his message in light of biblical truth. MacArthur's strength has always been his pointed and fearless exposition of scripture.

I do have a couple of concerns. First, we all have a tendency to label people and lump them together in artificial categories. I am not aware of any membership cards in the Emerging (sometimes called "emergent") Church movement, and one might be tempted to think that every person named or quoted by MacArthur holds to some sort of standard doctrine of the Emerging Church movement. Clearly, some identified with this movement are saying and writing things to seriously put in question the authenticity of their Christian faith. Just as certainly, others who may be lumped into this same Emerging Church category are not apostate, though they may be less than articulate and clear in their theology. Second, reading some of the quotations, I feared that some may be taken a bit out of context to illustrate a point. That is not to say, however, that the point is invalid. Don't get hung up on the names and personalities; just read what MacArthur has to say about the Bible and verify it by the absolute truth of the Bible itself. This is a good and an easy read.

In a nutshell, here are some lessons in this book:
* We tend to go to extremes. While Modernism may be being replaced by Post-Modernism (whatever that turns out to be!), and we need to sensitive to changes in culture, we do not have to change our theology to reach people of any culture or generation. Let's be sensitive to the times, but let's not sell the farm just to be trendy.
* Truth is always true. No matter what the spirit of the age, there is no absolute authority apart from the Bible.
* There is no new thing under the Sun. The evolving theology of the Emerging Church movement is quite similar to the development of liberal Protestant theology in the last half of the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries.

This book demonstrates John MacArthur's faithfulness to the Bible and his unique ability to look at movements, fads and trends within the church and the culture through the grid of Scripture. A very clear warning and wake up call for Christians to guard the church from false teaching and fight for the truth. A must read for every Christian especially pastors and church leaders.

MacArthur hits the nail on the head. It is an important book for all students of the Word. I've been educating myself on both sides of the emergent church movement, reading materials, blogs, and forums. I encourage people in that movement to not walk away from this one. Be open and read this.