John MacArthur, by exposing what is wrong with American Christianity with its easy-believism and "carnal Christianity", hits the nail on the head driving it home! I was a false convert most of my life thinking I was saved when, in fact, I was headed straight for hell. Then God granted me genuine repentance and Jesus Christ became my Lord and Savior. This book is a must read for everyone who professes Christ.
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Review 2 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
A decade before this book was actually in print, John MacArthur had already set off a firestorm of controversy among his evangelical contemporaries with his insistence upon what came to be called "Lordship salvation." I recall, as a student at Dallas Seminary, sitting in on a brown-bag luncheon as MacArthur came to discuss with students and members of the Dallas faculty his points of difference with them on the matter. Charles Ryrie and Zane Hodges had already stated in their earlier books that "making Christ Lord" was something that happened subsequent to "accepting Him as Savior." At the time I was a novice theologian and did not fully comprehend the nuances of the debate. In time I came to understand them better and found myself in a swirl of soteriological uncertainty that I lived with for the better part of two decades. Due to my college and seminary foundations, I understood "Lordship salvation" (which MacArthur himself admits is an unfortunate designation) to be a "dirty term." Over time, as I studied the Scriptures and read the writings of both early and contemporary theologians, I began to see both the rationale and the clear statements of Scripture that one cannot truly claim Jesus as Savior apart from submitting to His Lordship authority. I put off reading "The Gospel According to Jesus" for many years because of the preconceived bias I had held against it. As I began moving from dispensational-evangelicalism to a more reformed perspective, however, I finally read the book. It has not only confirmed the soteriological position I have come to embrace, but also answered many questions that I had. From start to finish, MacArthur crafts a masterful and persuasive argument for the necessity of faith and repentance, in addition to the need of following Christ as well as believing in Him. "The Gospel According to Jesus" is loaded with Scriptural support from Jesus' own words and deeds. It is well annotated and shows considerable research from the writings of both supporters and opponents. The author does not shy away from naming names of those with whom he disagrees and takes exception. (I found this personally helpful because it forced me back to the writings of those individuals where I could examine their positions for myself). The book closes with three very helpful appendices, the first two citing quotations that state the content of the Gospel from apostolic and historically ecclesiastical writings. The last appendix addresses a number of the inevitable questions that will inevitably be raised by readers. I consider this volume a must-read for those who want to make certain that their perceptions and proclamations of the Gospel are biblically clear and not grounded in contemporary models of "winning converts" rather than "making disciples."
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Review 3 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
Overall Rating:
5out of5
Excellent - Inspired me to become better
Date:August 29, 2012
Craig B
Location:South West
Age:45-54
Gender:male
This is a fine work on how and what it means to be a follower of Christ. I found John MacArthur's treatment of this subject to be through and deep. He holds back nothing when he defends our faith.
This book helped to refocus my walk with Christ.
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Review 4 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This is the text book for my Soteriology class in seminary. Dr. MacArthur gives the true meaning of repentance and salvation instead of the diluted presentation most preachers are giving today. Jesus told Nicodemus, "You must be born again." Jeus said, "Take up the cross and follow me." This book explains what this means.
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Review 5 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
Backed 100% by scripture, this leaves no doubt that just believing is not enough. A must read for those that listen to leaders that preach easy believism.
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Review 6 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
John MacArthur has written a book that gets to the heart of our lack of committment when it comes to being a Christian. He explains in clear terms using The Gospels to prove that many times we fall short of God's expectations. We still want to hang on to our shelfish desire with one hand and God with the other. He explains how this hurts God and weakens what we could be if we just let go and let God use us.
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Review 7 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This is probably the most challenging reading I've done is a while. A must read for someone seeking to know more about Salvation and Christ. Very very deep plunge into the Scriptures and God's Word! Incredible Spiritual insight went into this book. Thank you John MacArthur and Thank you Lord for giving him that wisdom.
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Review 8 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
It's the Gospel. Not a watered-down, sugar-coated, feel-good pop psychology presentation all to common today. No games. Just the Gospel in all it's offensive glory.
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Review 9 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This book change my life! As a result of reading this work by Dr. Mac Arthur I was set free from the error of "easy believism" teaching prevalent in our modern day evangelical churches.
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Review 10 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
Romans 1:16 tells us that the gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe." It struck me that I should know thoroughly just what the gospel really means, as there is nothing more important than our salvation, (as far as our destiny is concerned). I believe most folks are like me who want to hear the truth stated clearly. I could ask for no better resource than this fine work. I have been saved 43 years and heard hundreds of messages, read a great many books. This book is monumental. I re-read it and re-read it, each time gaining more understanding of what the gospel of Jesus Christ truly means. This book is a treasure. Highly recommended!
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Review 11 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
The Lords faith is obedience teaching is so simple and pure.This book confuses issues and twists scripture , I learned very little and was very sad to see how complecated some people make the Lords doctrine.I thought the author had it sometimes than he confused the issue of Jesus's Lordship.
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Review 12 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This is a powerful, nearly exhaustive masterpiece on the Gospel according to the gospels. While I came into it a little skeptical about his dogmatism, I was thoroughly convinced and appreciated his solely Biblical and well-balanced stand. Of course, there were comments here and there that appear biased, but you can expect that from anyone. The truths in this book are dying. Too many Christians study men instead of the Bible. With John MacArthur we can do both.
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Review 13 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
Excellent book! MacArthur does an excellent job of presenting the Gospel According to Jesus. He uses biblical fact and does not rely on his own imagination to write this book.
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Review 14 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This book is very well written. I do however find it interesting that people give a bad rating to "So Great Salvation" even thou it too is well written. Although I do not agree with the doctrinal stance of this book, I do admire MacArthur's desire for Christian's to live a godly life. Just be willing to read with an open mind and interpret his "support" scriptures for yourself. Don't confuse discipleship verses with salvation.
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Review 15 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
When you compare the quotes of modern day easy-believism teachers with those of Scripture and historical church theologians, you see a sharp contrast in the value of grace. Today, grace has come to mean "the reward for uttering a prayer" instead of the free gift of forgiveness to a repenatant broken sinner. This book brings the reader back to Jesus' original calling and message. It does not add works to salvation. Quite the contrary, it removes the 'work' of our simple magic formula prayer and looks for a spirit that is obviously broken by God's work; the changing of a man into a new creation by the Creator. Read the book without previous bias and you will grow to love the Lord for His marvelous work of grace.
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Review 17 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
This book should be required reading in every church! John MacArthur tells it like it is, holds no punches...just straight up, unadulterated gospel truth! I especially like that he explains the background and cultural details that the average Christian bible reader would not necessarily have known.
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Review 18 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised
One of the most important books you will ever read. Explains the issue of "Lordship Salvation" and explains how Jesus commanded us to submit to his authority and be sanctified slaves in Jesus' own words. BEst book I have ever read!
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Review 19 for The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith? / Revised