"Twelve Unlikely Heroes", by Dr. John MacArthur

Usually, whenever I see a John MacArthur book up for grabs, I jump at the chance to read-review it. After reading his last 4 books, however, I’m beginning to change my mind. It’s not that Dr. MacArthur isn’t a gifted teacher, speaker, and theologian. It’s simply the case that his books are taking the form of mass-produce for his publisher’s greed. The heavy, heady MacArthur books of old are being replaced by the by the simple, dumbed-down books of today’s Christian culture.

“Twelve Unlikely Heroes” is biblically accurate and safe. But it’s just that: Safe. It didn’t challenge my thinking, my pursuit to conquer sin in my life, or inspire me to greatness. Instead, it served more like a commentary of 12 bible heroes. MacArthur spent a lot of time in each story simply retelling it in a different way than what the bible has already told. He explained a few things that make a few portions of some stories a bit more understandable, but nothing drastic.

LIKES: I’ll likely continue reading future Dr. MacArthur books because his theology and application is trustworthy. One of the things I liked about “Twelve Unlikely Heroes” is that he didn’t choose only male heroes, but included 2 females as well – Miriam and Esther. We often forget to include our ladies in these epic adventures, relegating them to the sidelines in thought that only men can be influential in God’s kingdom.

MacArthur inspired me to slow down when I read these all-too-familiar accounts. The majority of us have heard most of these stories in Sunday school. Unfortunately, the simple teaching in those settings causes most of us to glaze over the details each time we read them. Instead, it would be good to slow down and excavate deeper into the story to understand its immediate intent as well as its global one.

DISLIKES: Dr. MacArthur, you didn’t challenge me in this one – neither my brain nor my spirit. I hate to say it, but if I picked up this book and the spine didn’t contain the author’s name, I would have thought a less-experienced person had written it. It came across as a lazy attempt to quickly put together a book for the publisher. Sorry, Dr. MacArthur. I just think you can do better.

RECOMMENDATIONS: I think this book would be good for a new believer, or even someone who doesn’t grasp the big-picture story of the bible very well. It reads at a high-school level, so it would even be a good study for student groups.

I would like to see fewer books published with MacArthur’s name. Not because I don’t like or trust his teaching, but because I would like the ones he publishes to contain more substance and quality. There are some authors who just shouldn’t be writing books. MacArthur is not one of them. But his books are kind of like Aerosmith songs; they keep getting released, but they fail to inspire.

CONCLUSION: I appreciate the idea behind the book. As mentioned in the epilogue, “the Lord does not limit his kingdom work to one kind of person.” One doesn’t need to be one of God’s star performers, just one of His faithful. That point was clear.

RATING: Although I appreciate MacArthur’s direct way of speaking/teaching, I honestly cannot give this one more than 2 ½ stars.


Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers ("Booksneeze") in exchange for my unbiased review of it. I was not threatened or coerced or promised favors in exchange for a favorable review of it. All opinions are mine.

"The Truth About Forgiveness", by Dr. John MacArthur

John MacArthur is batting 3 for 3 in this "Truth About..." series.  While his approach is simply basic, it is extremely necessary.  He, once again, doesn't shie away from what needs to be addressed.  He hits hard and he hits where it hurts.  In this little book, he clearly articulates our need for forgiveness from a God whose forgiveness is undeserved and unwarranted.  This short 114-page book is premised upon two major events recorded in the Bible: The healing and forgiving of a paralytic; and the parable of the prodigal son. 

First, MacArthur details the miracle healing and forgiveness of the paralytic, providing insight into the culture and society at the time of the miracle, as well as what the onlookers and Pharisees were likely thinking.  The reason for the inclusion of the miracle in the gospels is that "healing is actually a perfect metaphor for forgiveness..." (p.37).  It is the forgiveness of the man's sin -- not the physical healing -- that is the climax of the miracle.  "But only God can forgive sin!", was the Pharisees' rebuttal.  And that's exactly what the miracle proved -- that Jesus, being God in flesh -- was not only able to heal, but had authority and the desire to forgive.

Which leads us into the next section.  In chapter 3, utilizing the parable of the prodigal son, MacArthur demonstrates how God WANTS to forgive.  If any chapter is going to anger readers, it's likely to be this one.  The bulk of the content of this chapter flies in the face of today's post-modern mindset that suggests we are all inherently good and lovable.  At the outset of the chapter, MacArthur writes, "We must understand that there is nothing in any sinner that compels God's love.  He does not love us because we are lovable.  He is not merciful to us because we in any way deserve His mercy.  We are despicable, vile sinners who, if we are not saved by the grace of God, will be thrown on the trash heap of eternity, which is hell.  We have no intrinsic value, no intrinsic worth -- there's nothing in us to love" (p.49).  Is it just me, or does this passage seem to be a direct attack against the concept of a book written recently by a pastor who suggests "love wins", where there is no judgment, where there is no hell?

But MacArthur doesn't stop there; He doesn't leave us lingering in woe.  Instead, he describes God's love for us and how he desires to forgive.  Here's what he has to say: "God's love for the reprobate is not the love of value; it is the love of pity for that which could have had value and has none.  It is a love of compassion.  It is a love of sorrow.  It is a love of pathos.  It is the same deep sense of compassion and pity we have when we see a scab-ridden derelict lying in the gutter.  It is not a love that is incompatible with revulsion, but it is a genuine, well-meant, compassionate, sympathetic love nonetheless" (p.50).

So, not only has God proven His willingness and desire to forgive, but He has actually done something about it.  Once again, substitutionary atonement enters the picture.  Skeptics hate the thought of it, but MacArthur doesn't back down.  He concludes the book with a firm nudge to his Christian audience: "Those who have the greatest sense of forgiveness are quickest to forgive others.  The people who know they've been forgiven much are able to forgive much.  I hope that's true of you" (p.108).  Additionally, "unbelievers might pay more attention to our gospel message if we gave them something special to notice" (p.110).

Without a doubt, I give "The Truth About Forgiveness" 5 stars!  It is truthful, hard-hitting, and necessary.  Buy it, read it, and give it to someone who needs to know the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review of it. I was not threatened or coerced or promised favors in exchange for a favorable review of it. All opinions are mine.

"The Truth about Grace", by John MacArthur

It has been said that John MacArthur is much nicer in person than he is in his books.  I've met him in person, and I must agree.  MacArthur is hard-hitting, and he doesn't shie away from truth.  It's precisely the reason I enjoy his writing and his sermons.

Why would God so love a world that is chock full of sinners?
And why would God so love a world chock full of sinners that He would give anything even remotely good to it?
And why still would God so love a world chock full of sinners that He would give anything good to it, especially His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sin?
And why, even more so, would God so love a  world chock full of sinners that He would give the One Savior, Jesus Christ, to die in their place for the crimes they've committed, and then give them the chance for eternal life when all they've done is oppose and hate Him?  (p.34-35)

Why would He do all of this?
One simple word: Grace.

We don't deserve it.  We've done quite well at proving that fact.  What we're NOT talking about is simply doing good to one's friends.  We're not even talking about doing good to one's neighbors.  Instead, the true spirit of Godly grace is doing good to one's enemies (p.4).  That is just what God has done for us -- He crushed Jesus Christ EVEN WHILE we were enemies, sinners, rebels.  His love and grace is not a love like ours.  We find it easy to love our friends, and difficult to love our enemies.  But, as MacArthur quotes Dr. Barnhouse, "Love that gives upward is worship; love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace."  And that is just what God has done.  He has stooped to give us grace (p.18).

"The Truth about Grace" is full of solid biblical teaching on what true grace is.  Dr. MacArthur does not water it down, but puts it out there for his readers to accept or reject.  The last of the 5 short chapters, "Grace Lived Out", gives his readers one final punch in the nose: "Grace that does not affect one's behavior is not the grace of God." (p.105)  No reader will close the book without asking, "Am I sure I am in the true grace of God?", just as the bible writers suggest we constantly evaluate ourselves.  But the pages preceding the punch give us clear indication of how we can truly know.

The Truth about Grace" is a good resource for new believers -- it is short, concise, clear, and yet challenging.  It is also a good resource for evangelism -- it is blunt, honest, straight-forward, and yet loving.  It is only 105 pages long, so I'm not sure why it costs $12.99.  Nevertheless, it is a good little work.  It is one of three books in MacArthur's "The Truth About..." series.  I give this one 5 stars.  For my review on "The Truth about the Lordship of Christ", click here.


Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my unbiased review of it. I was not threatened or coerced or promised favors in exchange for a favorable review of it. All opinions are mine.

"THE JESUS YOU CAN'T IGNORE", by Dr. John MacArthur

Dr. MacArthur hit the ball out of the park with this book!  Starting with the introduction, MacArthur brings hard-hitting and in-your-face theology as it pertains to defending the gospel agains the errors of post-modern weaknesses.

The premise of the book is that "Jesus is often portrayed as a pacifist, a philanthropist, or a docile teacher.  Some prefer the meek and mild Jesus who heals the sick, calms fears, and speaks of peace and goodwill.  These things represent a portion of the Messiah.  But tragically, too many have never been exposed to the rest of him" (quoted from the back cover).  MacArthur sets out to prove to his readers that Jesus was more often confrontational when truth was under attack, and that we, too, must not be afraid to defend truth.  In fact, he asserts that there are times when it is "Wrong to be Nice".

LIKES: I truly enjoy the hard-hitting nature of this book.  So often, Christians are seen as insensitive when it comes to positions on truth.  We are labeled "intolerant" if we don't receive all views as simple variations of truth.  In this book, however, MacArthur encourages believers to take a firm stand against false doctrines and errors because "nothing is more thoroughly evil than false religion, and the more false teachers try to cloak themselves in the robes of biblical truth, the more truly Satanic they are." (p.11)  Christians are also told that we must "not judge, lest we be judged".  But MacArthur attacks this heresy head-on, stating, "in order to obey that command ("do not cast your pearls before swine"), we have to know who the swine and dogs are.  So an underlying assumption is that we must judge carefully and biblically." (p.145)

DISLIKES: The only thing I really disliked about this book is that the chapters are extremely long, averagine approximately 25 pages.  Even the introduction is 19 pages long!  The issue I have is not the amount of content, but that the content is packed into long chapters.  Although there are subdivisions within the chapters, even the subdivisions are quite long.  If you're someone looking to fill down time with reading a good book, just be sure you have lots of down-time if you're looking to fill the space with this one.

OVERALL OPINION: Overall, this book is a keeper and will remain on my bookshelf.  If you like Dr. MacArthur's hard-hitting style, you'll love this book.  It will encourage you to not only defend your faith before skeptics, but to defend the truth of the gospel that is missing even among Christian circles.

I review books for free for "Booksneeze"