Customer Reviews

Why One Way?

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This little gift book is not as in-depth as most of John MacArthur's other books about Christianity and the Bible. But "Why One Way?" does have some important points to make about the western society and culture that we live in, versus Biblical Christianity's point of view.

Of course, the Biblical point of view is the right one, so in less than 75 small pages, MacArthur exposes the kind of non-Christian thinking that most of our western culture applies to life, and that even some so-called Christians mistakenly live by. People who are not commited Christians will likely reject the thoughts expressed in this book, while folks who call themselves Christians should use it to examine themselves to see if they are REALLY living and thinking within the Christian, Biblical faith!

In this book, the main cause seems to be "Postmodernism," which is a topic that MacArthur has warned about on his national radio show, as well.

Postmodernism is here explained to mean that "there is no such thing as absolute, objective, or universal truth." Not even God is absolute, according to Postmodernism. Postmodernism means anything goes, whether God calls it sin or not.

So what our Postmodern culture has come up with is a point of view that says everybody should just make up their own truths, (their own gods), and everyone else should accept this concept. The one enemy of Postmodern thought then becomes God's Bible, which stands against these Postmodern concepts, and has been the only truth since, like, FOREVER!

The problem with Postmodernism versus Christianity is that Biblical values, (God's values), tell us what is right from wrong, but have become evil in this Postmodern world, because Biblical values of right and wrong do not allow for everybody to make up their own "truths."

The Bible tells us God's truths, and those Godly, Biblical truths condemn many fashionable and sinful activities that Postmodern people would rather accept and participate in, including homosexuality, adultery, pornography, the occult and New Age movements, and so on.

"Why One Way?" shows many Bible verses to use to help explain to others that Jesus is the One Way, and why that is so, according to the Bible, according to God.

This book might be a little too intelligent for the type of readers that usually buy these popular, small hardcover books. The cover of the book is really very beautiful, but the truth of the Bible, according to MacArthur, is harsh, not as pleasant to those who choose their sinful, decadent lifestyles over God and Jesus.

John MacArthur is too smart and academic to really compete with the kind of writers that usually put out these little fluff books. MacArthur has other full-size books that explain many other weighty Bible topics in much greater depth than this book. for instance, try his book, "The Battle for the Beginning, " which takes on the fight of Evolution versus Creation.

These tiny gift books are okay for an afternoon read, but John MacArthur is a "meat and potatoes" kind of author, and he is a bit out of place in this format of smaller novelty books, which are strictly "baby food" as far as intellectual thought is concerned.

Dr. John MacArthur, quite possibly the greatest Bible teacher in the world today and certainly one of the most courageous, has concisely outlined a great truth for today's anti-Christian, Postmodern society. In this short book, which can be read in a couple sittings, he points out that Biblical truth--the very word of God--can be known and should be defended. He quickly and clearly sums up what needs to be said throughout the Christian world. I'm recommending this to my friends who love God and truth.

John MacArthur doesn't waste time or pages making his point that there is only ONE WAY to heaven. Even today's clergy, with their politically correct views, are too afraid to say what John is saying in this book. I only wish more Christian authors had the guts to tell it like it is, instead of worrying what the world thinks.

John MacArthur concisely addresses the irreconciable differences between the Biblical Gospel message of Christ and the ever changing world cultural attitudes and philosophies. He notes the present and past world ideologies, postmodernism and modernism respectively, as examples.

He points out the Gospel message is never changing and that a believing relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

He challenges Christians not to get caught up in what the "world" thinks and to stand firm in the face of accusations of intolerance. Acting out God's love toward all is key though to advancing the Gospel and bringing those separate from God into a reconciled relationship with Him.

This short book is a must read for all Christians and those seeking to understand the reasons why Christianity is seen as exclusive.

on a subject of great importance.

Dr. MacArthur addresses the matter of how the church has sold out to the world and false teachings in a quick and easy way that any layman will be able to grasp.

His style of preaching does lend him to one self-serving "example" in his book, but that does not take away from the importance of what he is saying. There IS only one way to God and that is through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Any other way leads you straight to Hell.

This text is a short, concise review of the dangers of postmodern thought and the consequent response of Biblical Christianity. This is not an extensive, exhaustive theological tome, but provides the necessary information to understand the postmodern position as it contrasts with Biblical teaching. Other reviewers have castigated Dr. MacArthur for not using the very arguments he eschews. That is debatable nonsense. The issue is not technique of debate nor Dr. MacArthur's academic purview. The issue is simply one of truth. Even Os Guiness, in Fit Bodies Fat Minds, ends his discourse with an appeal for the truth (p.152). This short essay of MacArthurs may be overpriced, but it does not overstate its thesis. This is an excellent book and should be widely disseminated.

Instead of watering down Christianity to some politically correct commercial--as if Christ needs advertising, this book directly states and proves what Josh McDowell and others have said in many more pages. There's only one way to God.

John MacArthur says that we need to regain our confidence in the truth of God, and we need to get back to proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the only way under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). He is disturbed at how many evangelical Christians are too timid to insist on the exclusiveness of salvation in Christ alone on account of being labelled "politically incorrect."

He goes on to discuss six key concepts that disclose the distinctive nature of Christianity. The first key conceot is that Christianity is based on the objective truth of the Bible.

The second key concept is that the objective revelation of scripture is rational. It makes sense. It can be grasped cognitively. This is in contrast to the postmodern idea that there is no objective truth that can be comprehended.

That leads to MacArthur's third key concept of Christianity, namely that authentic Christinaity is concerned first and foremost with truth. MacArthur labels this concept "Veracity."

The next key concept is that the Bible is our authority in matters of faith and practice, and it needs to be proclaimed with authority, in keeping with the instructions of Peter in 1 Peter 4:11.

The fifth key concept for a Christian perspective is the incompatibility of Christianity with virtually any other system of belief.

The last essential principle for a biblical worldview is that we have the integrity to live what we preach. This was the best chapter in the book, as MacArthur poignantly describes the key moment in his church's history when they decided that they should not only preach the Bible, but that its members should be expected to live out the word of the Bible.

On the whole, I am sympathetic to MacArthur's overall position. Postmodernism is airheaded, and Jesus Christ is the only way into salvation.

But unlike some of MacArthur's earlier books, this one is not heavily anecdoted. It is more polemical and argumentative than some of his other offerings. In fact, MacArthur occasionally sounds more like an irritated and combative fundamentalist than the cogent Bible expositor for which his ministry is justly celebrated.

But his points resonate loudly, and this book should stir the faithful to a more bold witness for Christ.

For only 74 pages John MacArthur gives a great deal of straight forward information in explaining what should already be known to any authentic Christian. That the New Testament states there is just one way to God, thru Jesus Christ. The book is also a nice primer on postmodernism, something that has infiltrated our society and even our churches here in the U.S.A.

Postmodernism is a belief that has completely lost interest in "the truth", let alone an absolute truth which is taught in the Bible. In its simplest definition, postmodernism teaches that the only absolute truth is there's NO absolute, objective, universal truth. As a result, it is quite hostile to true Christianity and its gospel whose relevance has always been its absolute exclusivity with the truth dealing with Jesus Christ.

This is a book every Christian should read. Not to just get a primer on postmodernism, but to be reminded how Scripture is absolute and objective, especially in the Gospel message. He gives sound argument in helping set the truth of the Gospel in clear contrast to all the other wisdoms of the world.

John comes across in a very strong biblical way and I greatly admire that in him. He has not set out to make the world like him, but rather to tell you exactly how it is (according to the Bible). Very attractive book, nice easy read. Recommend this author for anyone who desires to learn about the biblical truth.