Some of those blogs are written by some of the worlds best pastors (John Piper, CJ Mahaney and others).

Standing amongst the shoulders of these giants is little me, with my tiny blog with much poorer skills and much fewer readers.

Part of being a Christian is having the humility to discern what we can do to best serve the glory of God. So I asked myself: should my blog exist?

It is a question you should ask too. In the light of all these tremendous blogs, should yours exist?

1. Is it unique?

Reformed guys, how many of you are blogging through the Institutes? Or talking about NT Wright? Or discussing Mark Driscoll’s interview with DL?

Be honest, is your blog doing anything I couldn’t find done elsewhere? Is it done in a simpler way or a more in depth way? Does it apply it to the Christian life or to non-Christians? What do you do that’s special?

2. Is it worthy of time?

As I’m reading your blog I could be just as easily listening to a Tim Keller sermon, reading John Owen or taking in some of Sam Storms meditations on scripture. Why should I read your blog?

Maybe some of us should say less. Are we really worth our readers pouring over our 500 words every day?

Also consider, is it worthy of your time? Are you just wasting time writing when you should be studying scripture or reading the giants of the faith?

3. Is it your gift?

Demian Farnworth is an amazing writer. He keeps my attention (in the fickle world of internet writing) through many pages.

Are you the same? Read a site like CopyBlogger or ProBlogger and find out what a good web writer consists of. Is this where your gift lies? If it isn’t, why should we be reading your blog?

4. Do you know what your talking about?

I decided in my early blog days to blog my thoughts on the trinity, despite knowing hardly anything about it. Richard pulled me up on that and I had to retract my comments. Ever since I’ve (tried) to only blog about what I know.

Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with thinking through your theology. But a blog isn’t a place. Go onto a forum discuss it with others there.

But when you type something as a blog, to those who aren’t familiar with the format it seems like you know what your talking about. On the last day all teachers will be judged. Are your posts worthy of praise or judgement?

5. Are you about the Lord’s work?

Now I’m not saying “If you’re a Christian with a sports site get it off now”. But are you using your genre to point to Jesus, even in just a small way (i.e. your bio)? Are you building friendships that will lead to souls being saved? If you’re not helpling Christians or (more importantly) preaching the Gospel to non-Christians, is your site an opportunity like Jonah to escape from the truth?

6. Are people listening?

Check your stats. Check your incoming links. Check your comments. Are you just speaking into thin air or are people actually listening?

It might be you have a very small audience (hey we all start somewhere). But if it becomes apparent that no one is listening to what your saying then use your time better elsewhere.

7. What’s its point?

Why are you driven to blogging? Do you want to reach out to the lost? Do you want to hone your theological accumen? Do you want to promote good resources? Why are you blogging?

Some of us just blog because we blog. We keep sustained by the idea we might get another reader. Well, that’s just people pleasing and it is idolatry.

Sit down and write an aim statement for your blog, and then think:

8. Would you be more useful in alternatives to blogging?

Not everyone should blog. But there is an awful lot you can do. Here’s some things I’d suggest.

• Guest posts/co-blog: You may not have enough posts in your veins to post weekly. Why not give your posts to other blogs? Or even ask to co-blog with another group of people, lessening the pressure on you. I’d love to have you post an article here. Drop me an email (whether you’re giving up blogging or not).
  
• Comment: On the big blogs, rarely does the author engage with his commenters. You however can follow up on their comments. You may even be able to correct wrong thinking. Go to a liberal Christian blog and reveal their errors (in a LOVING way!!!!). Go to an atheist blog and discuss their stumbling blocks. This is a real ministry.
• Forums: These are great places to ask your own questions and answer other peoples.
• Internet Chat: Do you remember when chatrooms were cool? Or am I just really long in the tooth web-wise? There are still people there you can witness to and talk to, if you are more personally gifted.
• Yahoo Answers: This is a net ministry I think would be great to be involved with. People ask personal questions and there is a theology section. Could you answer their questions?
• Wikipedia/Knol/Theopedia: If you know something about something very particular, these 3 maybe good places to contribute.
• Amazon Reviews: You know, most people who buy a book will read its Amazon review. However, few sound books have reviews (especially in the UK) and most of the dodgy books’ reviews are glowing. Could you make a difference there?
• Stumble Upon/Digg: If you’re one of those people who links like crazy, have a look at sites like Stumble Upon. If you write a good review of a blog post or a site you can send lots of traffic that way. There are many good writers who simply don’t have the publicity.
• Real life ministry: Old fashioned I know. But have you ever talked to your next door neighbour about Christ? Could you be preaching in a real pulpit rather than a virtual one? Does your church need a new Sunday School Leader? Is this for you?
• Family: Your spouse and children are always your first ministry. Is your blog wasting valuable time you could spend with them?

My Response

I know this post is long enough as it is but I need to say something to the regular readers of my site. It has become clear to me that blogging is not where my gifts lie. Let me run through my questions to myself:

1. I’m sure you could find people answering the same questions as me better.
2. I am not worthy of your reading. My knowledge base is small and I am immature in their faith. Others would serve you better. As for my time, it is utterly drained trying to find readers somewhere in cyberspace. I am spending hours that I should be spending tackling the massive problems in my spiritual life.
3. Whether writing is my gift, I do not know, but I do have gifts elsewhere. If I am to develop those gifts it would be better to give up my blog.
4. The posts I have done answering questions have taken me ages to research. The truth is I am still discovering. The problem with social media is people can ask me questions I am not sure of. When I preach I can spend a long time studying a topic and I have free time to grow in other areas of knowledge. My blog drains so much time I can’t grow deeper in the Lord.
5. I do think I’m about the Lord’s work, but see number 7 for why that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a good blog.
6. I blessed with the readers I have here that are engaged and ask challenging questions. However, I serve them poorly. Most of these readers would do better to write my posts that read them!
7. If I am honest pride drives a lot of my blogging. I want more readers, I want more people to visit my site. It is pathetic really.
8. This past week I fasted from blogging. I was able to spend more time in prayer and study that really blessed my soul. I was able to help with a youth group that struggled for leaders. I was able to spend time doing things for the benefit of my lovely fiancee. Blogging is already draining my time, and to think when Nat is my wife, that I may spend more time on my blog than her is abhorrent.

So this is my blogging swansong. I will write the last post in the If Christ Were Real series and then I will go. If anyone would like to take over the site, get in touch. If I’m convinced you are a biblical Christian I will hand over the reigns of my pet project to you.

I’ve grown to really appreciate some of you guys who are commenters and would call you friends. I hope we can keep in touch. If you want to do so by email, or by me commenting on your blog I would be happy to do so. Moreover anyone who wants to ask me a question about this or any of the issues on this site can feel free to contact me.

But I’m not going to pretend any longer that blogging is my ministry.

What about you? Should your blog exist? Write your answers to my 8 questions below. Let’s consider together how worthwhile our blogs are.

“If God does exist, I don’t want to know him,” he retorted with anger “He creates these petty laws we have to keep and then sends us to hell if we don’t keep them. Well I am not interested in a God like that!”

Have you heard that argument before? Perhaps you’ve even used it.

It makes a lot of sense. If God is just creating petty laws and judging us by them then he’s no use to anyone.

What should our attitude be to the law of God? Is it unjust? What law is it that we’re held to exactly? And why does he need to punish them. Read on to find out more.

What Law Are We Held To?

Our society (on the whole) is without the written Law of God (the Old Testament). This means we are judged by the law that is written on our hearts instead (see Romans 2:12-16).

Each of our hearts testifies to certain basic rules (i.e. it is wrong to murder, say unkind words to each other etc.). It is against this law we are judged.

Why Has God Established This Law?

Why has God established a law in the first place?

Teaching

Imagine a country without any laws. Without them, nothing could protect us. We could be robbed, raped and murdered and unless we had the strength to fight back we would be powerless to stop it. Laws exist for protection, especially the protection of the weak.

In the same way, God has given us laws to protect us from evil.

Enforcing

But why is God enforcing the law, isn’t it enough to teach it?

Our country’s law tells us its wrong to copy CDs. Why do most people still do it? The reason is because the law is not enforced. If we expected copyright police to crash through our doors, we wouldn’t copy CDs.

God must uphold the law if it is going to be kept. He must punish for the laws to be taken seriously.

Can We Keep The Law?

We can’t keep the law on our hearts.

Make a list of deeds you consider to be wrong. Lying, pride, gossip, stealing. Almost all of them you’ll have already broken and many you’ll break by the end of the week.

Why is that? Scripture tells us our hearts are deceitful. They keep the law in our hearts hidden, persuading us our immediate gratification is much better. We push the law we know is right to one side, thinking we are the exception to the rule.

Is the Law Fair?

If we can’t keep this law is it fair? Yes. We knew the law. We decided to hide it and not obey it.

If a man came to a court of law having killed his wife and kids, but said “My heart deceived me, I thought this was better for me to do”, we wouldn’t let him off. He is in charge of his heart! He is responsible!

Besides, what fairness can we judge this law by? God created everything, including the law on our hearts. He is satisfied that his law is just. Where else can we take our claim?

Can We Be Declared Innocent?

It seems like life is pretty hopeless then. We’re just heading straight for judgement, right?

Hold on. Just because we can never be perfect doesn’t mean we can’t get out of this mess.

The verdict on us is God’s judgement, but here’s the deal: Jesus is willing to pay the price on our behalf. He will take God’s judgement and we will take his perfect righteousness. How about that?

This is what Jesus did on the cross.

What must we do? Only repent of our evil ways and have faith in him to do it. That is all that is required.

Is God fair to call us unjust? Yes, he is. But God has something better than justice: mercy.

Why don’t you accept that offer today or at least consider the claims of Jesus more?

This Series:
If Christ Was Real… Answering four arguments that Christ cannot exist (Originally discussed at BridgingSchisms.org).

1. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t have such awful followers.
2. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t send people to hell.
3. If Christ was Real…he wouldn’t judge us according to an unjust law (this post)
4. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t call me “sinner”. (coming soon)

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Yet if your honest you probably haven’t understood how these doctrines affect you.

In one of the best recent books on the cross, Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears tackle these issues in an immensely practical way. The writers take a topic of the cross (i.e. propitation, expiation, Christus Victor) and apply it to a real life situation. This makes it eminently readable and immensely practical.

If you wanted to read about the cross, but you’ve been put off by weighty doctrine, this is the book for you. It’ll explain the doctrines simply and apply them powerfully.

The Argument of the Book

Driscoll and Breshears see the message of the cross as relevant for all areas of life. They write to people in many situations (including paedophiles, those investigating Christianity and those who have to forgive adultery) The doctrines of the cross are explained and applied to their situation.

After each of these sections Dr Breshears answers some common questions about the doctrine used to tackle this situation.

Primary Audience & Purpose

Each letter has a particular person in mind (someone Driscoll has actually met in councelling sessions). The idea is to apply a doctrine of the cross to some aspect of their life.

Literary Features of the Book

Writing in letters and FAQs, this book is incredibly readable. My fiancée raves about this being one of the few theology books she actually understood. Yet it is also deep and challenging.

Is it Biblical?

Yes. Their approach is soaked in Scripture. The only things that leave me uncertain are “Unlimited Limited Atonement” and the idea of demon possession (which is too easily presumed, they don’t spend long enough defending their view from scripture).

However, they don’t let the various doctrines of the cross compete against each other. Nor do they undermine the centrality of penal substitution in the death of Christ. Their approach is not only biblical in content but in discussing importance.

Does it Apply Truth?

The whole point of the book is to apply truth. Some may worry whether we can apply the truth to ourselves, as the characters tend to be extreme cases (few haven’t been raped or involved in drugs). But in a way this means that no one can say “my situation is a special case”. It applies to all from the extreme to the normal

Is it Christ Centred?

The whole book centres around the cross. The person and work of Jesus is clear. It sees Jesus as the solution to every problem. You can’t get much better than that. (Buy it in the UK)

Other Reviews

Reformed Firehouse

Finitum Non Capax Infiniti

Heady Musings

The Christian Manifesto

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No wonder, this doctrine puts people off Christianity.

Emotionally, the idea is so disgusting we want to never hear it again. Logically, it seems utterly inconsistent that Christ could send people to hell.

Surely a loving God can’t send people to hell?

If Christianity is to stand we must ask this question: is there any way a loving God would allow hell?

Hell is Chosen

Firstly, a loving God could allow hell if we choose to go there.

The ultimate responsibility for going to hell lies with us. True, God decides to punish sin, but that doesn’t mean he is ultimately responsible. If I murdered a child nobody would blame the judge for me rotting in jail. They’d say it was my own fault.

So it is with us. We chose to rebel and therefore we are responsible for being in hell. God lets us have what we want. An eternity without him. We just don’t realise now how painful that is.

Hell is Just

Secondly, a loving God could allow hell if it was a just thing to send people there.

Many think that disobeying God’s law doesn’t deserve hell.  Surely, a loving God could never condemn us according to this!

Yet he could for two good reasons:

• We shun a law that is always good: God gives us commands that make life better. Even people who complain God is unjust agree we should love our neighbours as ourselves. This is a law God created! His laws are all good laws and so it is loving that he enforces them.
• We accept a life that is always hurtful: Our sin has tremendous consequences. Why do people cry? Why do people commit suicide? Why do people starve for lack of food? Because people like us abuse them our whole lives. God must punish us if he is loving to those we hurt. If he allowed people who hurt others as much as we have to go to his new creation, then frankly he isn’t loving at all!

For God to be a loving God he must be just, he must be fair. Hell is the ultimate sign of his justice and his justice shows us his love.

Hell is Hated

Thirdly, a loving God could allow hell if it was something he hated.

If God sends sinners to hell with sadistic glee, he isn’t loving. Yet hear this:

As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked

Ezekiel 33:11 (ESV)

God does not enjoy hell. In his love he laments over those going there. Therefore, how can we say hell disproves his love?

Hell is Love Revealed

Fourthly, a loving God could allow hell if it provided a way to reveal his love.

How does hell provide a way for God to reveal his love?

You and I deserve hell. If God is creating a perfect world, sinners like us don’t deserve to be there.

Yet the crazy thing is I won’t be going to hell. Why? Because Christ died in my place. He said that he would die on my behalf. He would go through the punishment of hell that I deserved.

That isn’t to say Jesus literally went to a place called hell. But he had the wrath of God poured out on him on the cross, and that is what hell truly is.

What absolute love that shows! That he would go through hell for us! All we have to do is repent of our sin and have faith in Christ and our sin is forgotten. How loving is that?

Hell reveals the love of God, for it shows what he was willing to do to save us. A loving God could allow hell for he would allow it to reveal the love he has for us.

Over to You

What are your problems with hell? Do you think it disproves the existence of God? What do you think of the God who went through hell to save us from sins?

P.S. Tim Keller’s Reason for God was really helpful in answering this question.

This Series:
If Christ Was Real… Answering four arguments that Christ cannot exist (Originally discussed at BridgingSchisms.org).

1. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t have such awful followers.
2. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t send people to hell. (this post)
3. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t judge us according to an unjust law
4. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t call me “sinner”. (coming soon)

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“I love Jesus but I hate the Church.” she said defiantly “The Church causes nothing but pain. I’m going to learn about Jesus on my own.”

These were the words of a girl I was discussing Christianity with. Clearly, she had not had the best experience of the church. As upsetting as it is she’s not alone.

Maybe you’re like this girl. Maybe you keep away from the Church thinking it has nothing to offer but hurt. Maybe you do attend Sunday service, but the Church has hurt you so bad you’ve lost the love you had at first.

Why should you love the Church. What does it have to offer?

The Church Loves Jesus

The Church is obsessed with Jesus. They preach, sing and shout about him. If you want to grow as a Christian, you can learn loads from these Jesus-lovers:

• You can hear the Gospel: When you became a Christian someone from the Church was communicating the Gospel to you (whether that was in the preached or the written word). The Church loves Jesus so much it shares the Gospel, and it has shared it with you. If the Church has shared the most valuable gift, why do you shun them?
• You can see inspiring models: My church is full of older saints (anyone who can’t say that is missing out). Gathering their practical and doctrinal experience and seeing the spirituality of their life is incredibly challenging for my life.
• You can delve deeper into Jesus: The teaching of the Church (from the pulpit and the pews) will show you more than you could have seen in a lifetime of study. 2000 years of Church teaching is delivered to you to build from. You will see many aspects of Christ that you never saw or never realised how beautiful they were.

The Church Loves People Who Love Jesus

However it is not just that the Church loves Jesus. You won’t just look on from the outside and see some good examples. The Church will actively come and seek you out to bless you in a number of ways.

• The Church encourages Christians: When you are downhearted, you need someone to encourage you and lift you up. The Church will do a much better job than anyone else. They will encourage you in Christ! They will make Jesus the foundation of your joy in sorrow and how much better that is.
• The Church rebukes Christians: This may not sound exciting. However, if you are going off the rails wouldn’t you want someone to pull you back? The Church won’t let you fall into immorality, away from Jesus. We all stumble, the Church is  themeans by which God lifts us up.
• The Church provides opportunities to Christians: Whatever your gifts are (preaching, singing, hospitality) the church will encourage them and provide opportunities for you to share the gifts God has given you.

Jesus Loves the Church

Yet the best reason of all is Jesus loves the Church. He died for her and gave himself up for her. He calls her his bride. She is his most treasured possession.

If you love Jesus you must love the Church. He won’t let you do otherwise.

“But sometimes the Church can fall short. Sometimes it really hurts me.” That is true and no one knows it better than him. When he was weeping in Gethsemane, where was the Church to help him?

Yet Jesus still love them, still gave himself up for them.

Whether you like it or not (if Jesus died for you) you are a part of that Church. Why not get involved and learn to love the Church as much as Jesus does?

(Picture “Worship“ by bpbp shutterbugchik under the Creative Commons Licence)

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“He seemed so strong in the faith!” they exclaimed to each other. They’d have never thought that this could be true.

With men like this around, it’s no wonder people question if Christ is real. Surely if he was real, he wouldn’t have such awful followers. Doesn’t this disprove Christianity?

1) Not all who claim to be Christ’s followers are

Jesus hates hypocrites He seems “meek and mild” in the gospels until the Pharisees arrive. They really receive the sharp end of his tongue.

This is the same throughout the Bible. In Amos, God says he hates the Israelites’ religious festivals and demands they stop until he sees “justice roll down like waters” (Amos 5:21-24).

God hates the paedophiles, the witch hunters and the terrorists just as much as you and I. They may claim to be Christians, but God rejects their sacrifice. Will we attribute their sin to a God who hates them?

2) All Christ’s Followers Still Sin

If Christianity claimed believers would be perfect then our faith would be easily disproved. But the fact is some of the worst cases of Christian’s sin are recorded in the Bible’s pages (i.e. David’s adultery).

The Bible testifies that the Holy Spirit must battle Christian’s sinful desires constantly. Christianity never makes the claim of perfection in its believers. So it is a straw man argument to say because Christians sin Christ can’t be real. Are you satisfied to criticise Christianity based on attacking a claim it doesn’t even make?

Indeed, God accepting sinners is one of the great truths of Christianity. If God only accepted the great and good, then you and I would be rejected (with everyone else). But now, everyone has a chance to come into the Kingdom.

The Bible does say Christians will start to display some fruits of the Spirit. Theywil be more loving, they will be more kind and (most of all) they will be more devoted to God. Christians will sin less, not be sinless.

3) All Christ’s followers Will Be Redeemed from Sin

Yet Christ doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t save evil men and keep them evil, or only slightly change them. If that was true he wouldn’t be worth knowing.

Once day Jesus will return. On that day, believers will be purified from wrongdoing for ever.

You might say “I want a religion that cleanses from all sin now!”.

Where will you find such a religion? How will it stop the fact your heart makes a beeline straight for sin? By making doing more good works? That’ll never work, we’d need an utter heart change to stop sinning.

Christianity teaches only through Jesus dying for sin will we ever be free from it. He is the only reason we can have a little freedom now and utter freedom later.

Why he has made us wait, I don’t know. But Jesus gives the hope that one day we will be saved.

Does your religion or irreligion have that hope? Is it something you are attracted to? Will your belief stop you from doing what is evil?

Over to You

Now I realise that in a desire for a good overview of the issues and brevity I will not have answered all the objections in as detailed manner as people would like. Please comment if you have any objections you would like me to try to answer, or if you are a Christian who would like to add something.

This Series:
If Christ Was Real… Answering four arguments that Christ cannot exist (Originally discussed at BridgingSchisms.org).

1. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t have such awful followers. (this post)
2. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t send people to hell
3. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t judge us according to an unjust law
4. If Christ was real…he wouldn’t call me “sinner”. (coming soon)

(Picture “God Hates You“ by NoHoDamon under the Creative Commons Licence)

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Soon, after some lively discussions on Eshu’s blog,  I hope to answer those who say that the church’s records of evil is a reason to deny God . However, before I do so I want to talk to the Christians. I want us to realise that living for Christ can be an essential part in the way God saves people.

But before I do that I better get a big misconception out of the way.

What Living for Christ Doesn’t Do

Almost every Christian has heard the words of St. Francis of Assisi:

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words”

Unfortunately, Francis simply do not represent the Christian view of preaching the Gospel. In Philippians 1:15-18 Paul talks about a group of people who are preaching the Gospel out of rivalry. What is his response? Joy!

This seems odd and the only reason that this can be is that the Gospel (even through a bad witness) still has the power to save.

Indeed, we find this in Romans 10:14-15. This passage is a summary of the essentials of becoming a Christian :

• You must call on Christ. But this can’t happen without you:
• …believing in Christ. But this can’t happen without you:
• …hearing the message. But this can’t happen without someone:
• …preaching to you. But this can’t happen unless someone:
• …sends people to preach.

Now the only part we have in these “essentials” is preaching. Preaching must occur. It isn’t an optional “when necessary”  Notice Paul never says “And how are they to see Christ unless you live like him?”. The fact is the only absolute essential in try to get people saved is preaching the message.

Many use living the Gospel as an excuse not to do the hard work of preaching the Gospel. Yet this isn’t what the Scripture says when it calls us to right living. Living for Christ does not replace telling people the message. Preaching is our primary purpose. Only words can convert

What Living for Christ Does Do

Nevertheless, though preaching is essential, it’s just as bad to undermine the importance of living for Christ. Living for Christ provides a powerful testimony to how the Lord changes lives.

Winning souls can be likened to a football match. In football, unless you score goals, it’s impossible for you to win. But many other things contribute to you winning the match: tackling, passing, shooting etc. For the most part these skills are very important, even if they aren’t the most important part. There may be the odd game you win despite playing badly, but they are rare occurances.

Preaching is like scoring goals. It is the only way you can “win” a believer (not that preaching always is successful, there are other elements involved in Romans 10). All the other skills are like living for Christ. You can’t win a game just by living for Christ, you’ve got to preach. However, living for Christ can have such a powerful effect “on the game” that it contributes to winning the game.

Now, you may say “This is a clever illustration, but is the idea of living for Christ leading to success Biblical”. Yes! Read 1 Peter 2:12:

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)

Glorifying God on the day he returns means they’ll be Christians! Your good deeds have some effect in winning people for Christ.

Peter tells us they stop people from being able to say “Well you are evildoers, you are just as bad as us, you’re message can’t be valid”. It helps prove that the Gospel is true. Your good works make all the difference.

What This Means For Us Christians

This means if we are preaching the Gospel we better make sure our actions are up to scratch.

Are you preaching the message to your boss? Better make sure you are a good worker.

Are you preaching the message to your close friend? Better make sure you show your love by keeping in touch.

Are you preaching the message to your child? Better make sure you a kind and fair parent.

Living for Christ does make a difference.

Now what about those who claim to be Christians but have engaged in wars or sexual immorality? Should they stop us believing in Christ? We’ll talk about that next week…

(Picture “Point“ by a2gemma under the Creative Commons Licence)

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If so, this book is for you. In “The Gospel & Personal Evangelism”, Mark Dever teaches what the Bible says the Gospel is and the methods of evangelism it sets forth. This isn’t a book for pastors, it is a book that all Christians can read. So short you can read it in no time, this book is a great start if you want to see what evangelism is and how you should do it..

The Argument of the Book

Dever confesses that many Christians either do not evangelise or do not do so in the way they should. Therefore, he considers a number of questions in his chapter headings that may help Christians evangelise more effectively. The chapter headings are:

1. Why Don’t We Evangelise?
2. What Is the Gospel?
3. Who Should Evangelize?
4. How Should We Evangelize?
5. What Isn’t Evangelism?
6. What Should We Do After We Evangelize?
7. Why Should We Evangelize?

Throughout Dever argues that evangelism is not about numbers, and much less about manipulation. Instead, he argues that the task of the Christian is to faithfully tell the message of Christ’s death so that people can come to him and be saved from the wrath to come.

Primary Audience & Purpose

Whilst there is a “Word to Pastors” at the back, the book is written to general church members. Dever is keen that all people in the church see evangelism as their task, and not that of a special few. Dever’s main purpose is to confirm what the Gospel is and to help us to evangelize in a more effective way.

Literary Features of the Book

The book is quite short, making it much more readable for the average member than some others in its genre (i.e. Know and Tell the Gospel). Dever writes in an engaging way, using personal illustrations to punctuate his writing. He is very open about his own struggles and doesn’t succumb to bashing those he thinks are wrong. He states truth in a warm, loving and interesting way that many readers will enjoy.

Is it Biblical?

Dever is constantly trying to point us back to a Biblical reason for doing something. Readers will be glad to know that he defines the Gospel in an orthodox way and fights against some common evangelistic messages that don’t quite get it right (i.e. “The Good News Is Not Simply That Jesus Wants to Be Our Friend”). He also defines evangelism not as imposition, apologetics, social action or personal testimoy but as proclaiming the news of Jesus.

Does it apply truth?

The whole book is thoroughly practical and gives lots of ideas for how to do evangelism and how to get opportunities to tell people the Gospel.

Is it Christ centred?

Absolutely. Mark Dever doesn’t fall into the phony Gospels that some are putting forward, but rather is very definite in the fact that the Gospel is Jesus dying to take the punishment for our sins. Evangelism for Dever is about presenting Jesus and not just winning converts. (Buy it UK)

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Reading is a powerful gift from God, both to those who are Christians and those who aren’t.

I think most of the people who read this site are avid readers, but sometimes being an avid reader is not enough. When I became a Christian I read like crazy, but most of the books I read had a lot of fluff and not much meat. We need to know the books we read are worth reading.

Ever since I started reading better books, I’ve appreciated other Christians recommending books for my attention. This is what I plan to do here, with my 10 Books You Should Read in 2009.

1. The Bible: Holy Spirit

Obvious but an essential number one spot. If you’re a Christian, you need to make sure that you plan what sections of scripture you are going to read and actually study them. (If you struggle with Bible study, give me a shout in the comments and I’ll post how I go about it for your benefit, as well as some helpful resources). If you’re not a Christian, this is where all Christian ideas come from so it’s the best place to start. Start with a Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) so you can find out about Jesus and maybe discuss it with a Christian friend. (Remember you don’t have to fork out for a Bible, you can always read it online. The most common reliable translations are the NIV and the ESV. Avoid paraphrases like the Message. Whilst they have some value, you won’t be reading the actually words of Scripture).

2. The Reason for God: Tim Keller

It’s often a bad idea to recommend books you haven’t read, but I’ve heard a lot of the content for this book online. This book is aimed at non-Christians (but Christians may find it rewarding too). I’ve found few books for non-Christians have been heartfelt, convincing and not shirking the difficult questions. I’m told this book is the answer to those problems. If you’re going to read a book looking into Christianity, you can’t really go wrong with Tim Killer.

3. Institutes of the Christian Religion: John Calvin

It’s his 500th birthday, come one give him a break! John Calvin was one of the most cross-centred theologians and despite being demonised by half of the Christian world is an amazingly influential and Godly man. Just read it. (For a reading schedule and an online translation)

4. Shadow of the Almighty: Elisabeth Elliot

The value of a biography for a Christian is immense.  It is important not only to find out truths but see them lived out. This book is the diary of murdered missionary John Elliot, tracing his life all the way through University right onto the mission field. It is an inspiration, especially if you’re still at Uni. (My review)

5. Pilgrim’s Progress: John Bunyan

Christian missionaries first translate the Bible and then translate Pilgrim’s Progress, it’s that good. It’s a novel, so is much easier to read than some of the doctrinal books, and it is a really challenging allegory of the Christian life. You will see yourself in Christian and Christiana and be challenged to live in a way that is glorifying to God. You can access it online here.

6. Knowing God: J.I. Packer

This is one of the best introductions to theology I’ve ever read. It will really warm your heart to the character of God, in many areas where you wouldn’t necessary expect to. The jealousy of God is something that was shown to be a real blessing to me through this book. If you haven’t read it I’d advise you do. However don’t bother with the study guide, it doesn’t add any value.

7. Death by Love: Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breashears

The slot for “cross book” has changed 3 times in my draft of this post. After having just read through Death by Love I can confirm that this is my favourite pastoral book on the cross at the moment. Mark Driscoll takes real people (non-Christian and Christian) that he’s had counselling sessions with and uses various doctrines of the cross to write a letter to their specific need. It is brilliant. I was worried that with the structure of this book it might undermine the centrality of substitution and justification; but none of the letters (as far as I remember) don’t go back to these core truths. Moreover at the end of each section Breshears answers some theological questions that arise. This is an easy read, very through and very practical. Christian or non-Christian, familiar with these doctrines or not, I think this is definitely a book you should read. A review will be forthcoming.

8. Bruised Reed: Richard Sibbes

This book had an incredible effect on my life. It is a warm pious book aimed particularly at those who are lacking assurance. Though it is an old book, the Puritan Paperback version has updated the language making this an easy book to read. Short and oh so sweet I would heartily advise you to read it. (My review)

9. God’s Big Picture: Vaughan Roberts

The entire Bible points us to Christ. If that idea is new to you, read this book.With helpful activies, it gives a good overall scope to the Bible and shows how it is fulfilled in Christ. I’ve heard of friends giving this to non-Christians, and if you are a non-Christian wanting to go further into scripture than the Gospels this will be an immense help in seemingly weird books (like Leviticus).

10. Christ-centered Preaching: Bryan Chapell

This is really one for preachers. Again one I haven’t read, but I have listened to the incredible lectures on Biblical Training. If you are going to preach this year make sure that you have either read this book or listened to the lectures. It features good practical approaches to preaching, as well as explaining how to make Christ the centre of all your sermons.

Special Mentions:

If you are looking for a commentary for a book on the Bible, buy Tremper Longman’s Old Testament Commentary Survey and D.A. Carson’s New Testament Commentary Survey so you know exactly what your getting. The lists at Denver, Westminster, Desiring God and BestCommentaries are helpful too, but not as thorough as the books.

Over to You

So what about you? What books do you think I must read in 2009? (Even if you’re not a Christian I’d be interested to hear your suggestions)

(Picture “The Library“ by Here’s Kate under the Creative Commons Licence)

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