Product Description

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."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1722211 in Books
• Published on: 2000-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

About the Author
JOHN F. MACARTHUR pastors Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and serves as president of the Master's College and Seminary. A well-known Bible expositor and conference speaker, he has written more than six dozen books, including the MacArthur New Testament Commentary series and the MacArthur Study Bible. He is the Bible teacher on Grace to You, an international radio broadcast.

Customer Reviews

Faith Works!
Clear, concise, compelling affirmation of just what constitutes saving faith in Scripture. A powerful follow-up volume to Gospel According to Jesus. Because of the rampant confusion in today's church/society regarding the Gospel, this book is a welcome addition to the contra-easy-believism arsenal. In equation form, the book can be summarized: Faith= Salvation+Works. Not to be confused with what some perceive: Faith+Works=Salvation. Also defines the nature of what is included as a precondition for true faith:Repentance. Not just a change of mind about Who Jesus is; not just sorrow or remorse over sin or recognition of need, but U-turn, 180 degree about face turning from sin and turning to Christ. Tony Evans says it best: You're driving South on the interstate, going the wrong way, away from God. Take the next exit/off-ramp - repentance!. Take the overpass of grace and head for the next on-ramp going North - restoration/recovery! Now, merge onto the interstate by the Holy Spirit's power heading North as a disciple following Jesus to the Father. That's Biblical Repentance, Saving Faith and Discipleship. If there is a Root, there must be Fruit. No Fruit? No Root! Excellent resource for Sunday School, Home Groups, personal study.

Deals a Death Blow to "Easy Believe-ism"
Dr. MacArthur's book is without a doubt one of the finest books on the relationship between faith and works. While Christians are saved by grace; "solo gracia" and by faith alone "solo fide" this in no way exempts them from living a life of holiness.

Dr. MacArthur, through a masterful illustration using numerous scripture references, shows how that the grace that saves is an active, vibrant grace that is efficacious in the life of the believer, that even though we are saved by "faith alone," it is not a "faith that is alone." The Holy Spirit is at work mightily within the life of the undeserving, hell-bound, but redeemed person, "to will and to work of His own good pleasure."

Those that have trusted on human merit, a dry-eyed confession, and simply walking an aisle to shake hands with a minister for a salvation experience should read this book carefully and "examine themselves to see if they are in the faith." Dr. MacArthur's work will go a long way in the edification of the Body of Christ, and combatting the rampant apostasy regarding the study of salvation.

Effectively deals with cheap grace
First, I should point out that one of my all-time favorites--The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonoeffer--is in the same mold as MacArthur's book. I highly recommend it. As far as The Gospel According to Jesus, I was impressed with his exegesis. I believe that he is right on. Christians ought to understand that they have been provided a gift, and the idea of sanctification is not just an option but imperative. Certainly we cannot earn the grace of God, but neither do we prove God's grace by sinning like hell. This is the message MacArthur effectively communicates in this book.