Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Faith Comes by Hearing


Faith Comes by Hearing: A Response to Inclusivism, ed. C. Morgan and R. Peterson (IVP; pb., 256 pp.)

I have begun looking over this book and am quite impressed with it. It must be pretty good if D. A. Carson says about it:

For those who are more interested in faithful alignment with what Scripture says than in sentimentality on this extraordinarily challenging subject, this is now the book to read.

Morgan and Peterson (both faithful scholars and committed churchmen) have compiled quite a list of contributors. Here is the table of contents:

1 Introduction by Robert A. Peterson
2 Inclusivisms and Exclusivisms by Christopher W. Morgan
3 General Revelation: Sufficient or Insufficient? by Daniel Strange
4 Exclusivism: Unjust or Just? by William Edgar
5 Other Religions: Saving or Secular? by Eckhard J. Schnabel
6 Holy Pagans: Reality or Myth? by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.
7 Saving Faith: Implicit or Explicit? by Stephen J. Wellum
8 Inclusivism versus Exclusivism on Key Biblical Texts by Robert A. Peterson
9 The Gospel for All Nations by Andreas J. Köstenberger
10 God’s Zeal for His World by J. Nelson Jennings
11 Answers to Notable Questions by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

I have only dipped in various chapters so far, but the summary chapter addressing key common questions is itself a great resource for pastors since we commonly are asked the questions listed here. I close with a quote from this chapter which demonstrates the heart of the book:


The best way to help the unevangelized is not to become more optimistic about their eternal destiny apart from the gospel. Rather, it is to allow our understanding of God and his Word to generate a greater burden for the unevangelized and to pray, give and go to make sure that they hear the gospel.

Amen!

2 comments:

Ron Starcher said...

Ray, I just today stumbled upon your blog. What a great encouragement for those who are charged with the care of souls. Thanks for the labor.

Ray Van Neste said...

Thanks Ron.
I'm glad you came by.