Review of David Jensen, What is a Christian? Newtown: Evangelism & New Churches, 2023.
This will be about the simplest evangelistic tract you will ever read. There are three headings: ‘God made it; We broke it; Jesus fixed it.’ It is Humpty Dumpty with a happy ending. The text is as straightforward as the three headings – subject, verb, object. It admirably achieves its goal, and may the Lord greatly use it.
At the risk of being a little churlish, there are a few problems. The claim is made that ‘Sin not about breaking rules. It’s about breaking a relationship.’ It is, of course, both. The Bible insists as a starting point that ‘sin is lawlessness’ (1 John 3:4). Also, it is misleading to say indiscriminately, that ‘God loves you. He loves you more than you’ve ever loved anyone or anything. He loves you more than you can possibly imagine. Not because you’re good, and deserve it, but even though you don’t.’ This will melt the heart of anyone who is being convicted by the Holy Spirit, but it is likely to harden the unregenerate soul in his spiritual complacency.
To say to all and sundry ‘He died in your place’ is only true if definite atonement is not true. It is better to say: ‘Christ died for sinners’, and then work back, through repentance and faith, to the assurance that ‘Christ loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal.2:20).
This booklet is moving, it is powerful, it speaks directly to the reader, it has so much going for it. There remains a need, however, for a similar work infused with a better grasp of biblical evangelism.
– Peter Barnes