Your Child’s Profession of Faith by Dennis Gundersen

Dr. Robert and Linda McCabeChristian parents who see their child make a profession of faith at an early age are often concerned with the validity of their child’s profession. This is the subject developed in Your Child’s Profession of Faith. This book’s author, Dennis Gundersen, poses two introductory questions. Can a young child genuinely be saved? Gundersen maintains that young children can genuinely be converted. His follow-up question is the focus of his present book, “Can we know with certainty that they are converted at a young age?” His response to this question is, “Often not” (p 5). His answer might surprise some and is not the answer set forth in some treatments of child evangelism suggesting that parents should take a child’s profession of faith at face value. However, we found the book helpful because Gundersen provides a clear biblical understanding of a child’s nature and a biblical presentation about handling a child’s assurance of salvation.

Gundersen’s purpose in this book is to provide Scriptural reasons why assurance about the genuineness of a child’s profession of faith is often difficult to immediately discern and why assurance will often be subsequently manifested as the child matures. The author lays a foundation for his book in the first chapter, “A Parent’s Greatest Concern.” According to Gundersen, a parent’s greatest concern is to encourage their children to trust Christ at an early age, yet to avoid manipulating them into a profession of faith. As he states it,

I encourage you not to try to force a confession from the mouth of anyone; for a truly believing heart will bring forth its own confession, without inducement or “baiting.” Anyone who comes to Jesus cannot help but to speak out of that which filled his heart! But your responsibility to urge your children to come to Christ is not in the least degree diminished by the fact that you should not try to pressure them to say they have (p 10).

Gundersen develops a biblical understanding of a child’s nature in chapters two through five. He maintains that the characteristics of children include an intellectual immaturity, a changeable and unstable nature, and a nature that is susceptible to deception. In addition to these limitations characteristic of children, he sets forth in his fifth chapter that children are unfinished products.

The fact is a child is very much an unfinished product. Childhood, viewed biblically, is a stage in which parents are patiently cultivating the persons their children are to become. Childhood is a time of preparation and not a time of completion, of immaturity and not of maturity, of seed-planting and not of fruit-bearing. To view things otherwise is shallow thinking about children and evangelism (p 31).

In the final two chapters, Gundersen focuses on assurance of salvation and a challenge to parents to develop a biblical perspective on handling their child’s assurance. In chapter six, the author focuses on the manifestations of genuine faith. Just as adults must repent and believe to be converted, so must children also repent and believe. The outworking of genuine faith is that there are observable results. A very basic manifestation is that there will be a clear belief that Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected to pay the price for sin. Other manifestations include an affectionate love for Christ, a determination to follow Him, and a repudiation of sin. In his final chapter, Gundersen concludes with some positive counsel encouraging parents to take advantage of the long-term opportunities in raising children for the Lord. Whether we think our children are truly converted or not, we must encourage them “to press on to know Christ” (p 48). He further exhorts parents to challenge their children that coming to Christ is a lifetime commitment and to urge them to have a Christ-centered focus rather than a profession-centered focus.

Though not an exhaustive guide, we would recommend that parents and those involved with children read this book. A helpful companion designed to assist in presenting the Gospel to children is The Gospel for Children by John B. Leuzarder (Calvary Press, 1996). This is a colorfully illustrated book and is written in a catechism format that children can understand. It develops six subjects: God, the Bible, sin, Jesus, repentance and faith, and counting the cost.

Available from Calvary Press 1-800-789-8175
or visit www.calvarypress.com.
Published in 1994, 58 pages

Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace by James Montgomery Boice

Sola! December, 2004

When People are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch

Barry PendleySome writers have an exceptional ability to write about a familiar subject in a refreshing, thought provoking way. With his book, When People are Big and God is Small, Ed Welch does just that.

Ed Welch is a counselor at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) in Pennsylvania. Unlike many counseling centers today, CCEF is thoroughly biblical in its approach to man’s problems. You will not be disappointed as you read Welch’s book.

In his desire to make this book readable and understandable to those familiar with psychobabble, Welch uses commonly used terms like peer pressure, codependency, and self-esteem to introduce his topic. Yet by the end of the book, the reader will begin assigning the biblical term, a fear of man, to such new fangled problems.

Welch divides his book into two parts: How and Why We Fear Others and Overcoming the Fear of Others. In the first section, Welch probes the minds of those who fear man more than they fear God. You will be surprised as you read how the fear of man ensnares the minds of Christians. He exposes the fear in all of us. In the second part, Welch amply supplies biblical principles so that one can eradicate the fear of man and develop a fear of God.

The strengths of this book are many, but at least this should be stated. Unlike the majority of self-help books, Welch does not merely state his opinions, he uses Scripture profusely. The bulk of the book (over two-thirds) is devoted to fixing man’s problems. He does not simply bemoan the fact that people fear man more than they fear God. He gives biblical solutions.

This book is available from P & R Direct: 1-800-631-0094.

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Scott WilliquetteJerry Bridges’ book Trusting God is biblically based, theologically sound and clearly written. Its chapters propagate three essential truths upon which believers must bank if they are to trust God in times of adversity – that God is completely sovereign, that God is infinite in wisdom, and that God is perfect in love. Because of these three truths, God’s children can, and should, rest in Him in every life situation. Indeed, to not rest in Him is a heinous sin against our Creator. This is the thrust of Trusting God.

In a day when many fundamental Baptists view God as, in Luther’s words, “too human,” Trusting God is a challenging corrective. Trusting God is highly recommended. It should be in every Christian’s library and be read with a Bible in hand. It is perfect for Sunday school and for home Bible studies.

Book Review - Thoughts for Young Men by J. C. Ryle

Barry BendleyJohn Charles Ryle was a bishop of Liverpool, 1880–1900. He was a prolific writer who enjoyed wide circulation of his writings. More than two million of his publications were distributed in his day.

However, that was the nineteenth century. Since that time, his name has become virtually unknown among mainstream Christians. The republication of his book, Thoughts for Young Men, brings this nineteenth century writer to twentieth century believers. He writes in an expressive, clear style. One may not realize (with the exception of a few archaisms) that this book was written over a century ago!

Thoughts for Young Men is rather brief, but in it Ryle covers many subjects. In pastoral-like fashion, he challenges young men to take life seriously. He identifies the many dangers facing young men – pride, fear of man, bad friends, and an undisciplined mind. The strength of this book lies in his ability to apply truth using many vivid illustrations.

Since J.C. Ryle was Anglican, one can expect to stumble across an occasional misapplied OT principle. In particular, he refers to Sunday as the Sabbath. Also given his theological perspective, on a couple of occasions he speaks of the means of grace. Overall, the book does not suffer because these are treated as minor points.

One of the most unfortunate things about this book is its title, Thoughts for Young Men. Every parent would do well to encourage their teens, guys and girls, to read this book. Mature Christians will also benefit from this book.

This is a quick read, but one which has been and will be reread by this reviewer.

This book is available from Calvary Press: 1-800-789-8175 or www.calvarypress.com.

Psychology as Religion: The Cult of Self-Worship by Paul Vitz

Edward Williams Visit in the average fundamentalist Baptist home and you will find psychology books (secular and Christian) endorsing self-love. Self-help books, magazines, and pop psychologies encourage believers to have their ‘love tanks’ filled, teaching that man’s greatest need is proper self-esteem not the forgiveness of sin and a right relationship with God (i.e., Robert Schuller).

Most people have embraced and endorsed psychology, causing psychology to become an enormous religious business with believers often serving as its great high priests. Paul Vitz states, ‘. . . psychology has become a religion: a secular cult of the self. By this I mean an intensely held worldview, a philosophy of life or ideology. More specifically, contemporary psychology is a form of secular humanism based on the rejection of God and the worship of the self’ (xii). Paul Vitz argues that:

• Psychology as a religion exists and it exists in strength throughout the US.
• Psychology as a religion can be criticized on many grounds quite independent of religion.
• Psychology as a religion is hostile to most religions but is specifically anti-Christian.
• Psychology as a religion is widely taught and supported by Christians.
• Psychology as a religion has for years been destroying individuals, families, and communities. But in recent years the destructive logic of this secular system is beginning to be understood, and as more and more people discover the emptiness of self-worship Christianity is presented with a major historical opportunity to provide meaning and life (xiii).

Although he is a Roman Catholic (xv) and believes some aspects of psychology can be effectively baptized for utilization (xvi), Paul Vitz has written an important book that exposes the dangerous and heretical contemporary philosophical system of self-worship known as psychology.

Book Review - Law and Grace by Alva McClain

Barry Pendley The careful student of God’s Word recognizes that there is a discontinuity between the Old and New Testament. That is, he sees a very real difference between the people of Israel and the Church. They are distinct in many ways including their future blessings and way of life.

This distinction between Israel and the Church raises many questions for those who desire to apply the Old Testament. Should the interpreter directly apply Old Testament principles to New Testament believers? If so, in what way? If not, why not? More precisely, since the entirety of Scripture is “useful” (or “profitable” kjv 2Ti 3.16) how should the New Testament believer view the Mosaic Law? Many volumes have been written with the sincere goal of aiding the modern believer in his interpretation of the Old Testament.

Alva McClain’s work, Law and Grace, is an essential read for those with any of the above questions. As an introduction to the subject of the Law, this book is a must. McClain aptly demonstrates that the Old Testament Law was designed to show sinners their plight. With this divine purpose (though there are others) in mind, he shows that the Law has never brought salvation to the Israelites, Gentiles, or Christians.

Yet, the Law is not to be ignored. The last three chapters are especially helpful. In those McClain discusses the dangers of putting Christians under the Law. He also demonstrates that the Law is profitable and should be studied by every believer.

At times, this book is somewhat pedantic. This should not frustrate the reader. The book is only 80 pages with 10 chapters. The brevity of each chapter allows the reader to quickly reread portions that were not assimilated the first time. Besides that, the reader will appreciate the wealth of information found in such a brief book. Furthermore, the believer will gain a new appreciation for the Law and its divinely intended roles.

Available from the Brethren Missionary Herald Company
219-267-7158

Book Review - Kiffin, Knollys, and Keach by Michael Haykin

Barry Pendly We live in a day when many churches are replacing the name “Baptist” with the more obscure “Community” label. Perhaps one reason for the shift is that the believers in the 1990s have little if any knowledge of Baptist history. Michael Haykin’s book Kiffin, Knollys and Keach - Rediscovering our English Baptist Heritage provides insight into the lives of our Baptist forefathers. In his words, Haykin states “I have come to see that this heritage is something that needs to be first rediscovered and then cherished . . . I am convinced that historical Baptist convictions are fully biblical ones and that the Baptist heritage has much to teach both those who are Baptists and those believers who are in other Christian traditions (p 12).

This book begins as a mini primer on the origins of Baptists. Haykins identifies the two different branches of Baptists - the General and Particular Baptists. He then traces the history of the Particular Baptists since the General Baptists fell into sharp decline in the nineteenth century.

At the base of the Baptist tree, William Kiffin, Hanserd Knollys, and Benjamin Keach paved the way for the Baptist denomination by constructing two sterling confessions. These were the First and Second London Baptist Confessions (1644 and 1689 respectively). Unfortunately these two confessions are little known, much less appreciated by mainstream Baptists today. Haykin’s book will help develop an appreciation for these defining documents.

Another value of this book is that the reader will learn that common problems today are usually old ones with different labels. For instance, the modern-day Charismatic movement is very much like the mystical Seeker movement which Knollys refuted in his sermons and other writings. Kiffin and Keach also faced difficulties which we face today. Reading about these men and their contribution to Baptist history will bring a whole new understanding and appreciation for the separatistic Baptistic movement.

Available from Cumberland Valley Bible Book
Service: www.cvbbs.com. 717-249-0231

Fundamentalism and American Culture by George Marsden

Brad Anderson In case you haven’t noticed, there are competing strains of theological conviction within fundamentalism. There are traces of Billy Sunday-style tent revivalism, higher/deeper life pietism, Calvinism, Arminianism, Puritanism, and mysticism, to name a few. Why are such divergent views reflected within fundamentalism? To find out, read George Marsden’s book Fundamentalism and American Culture (Oxford, 1980). Although written nearly twenty years ago, the book cogently answers such questions.

Marsden starts all the way back in 1870 to get at the roots of the fundamentalist movement. Fundamentalism was the result of theological conservatives from various backgrounds coming together to contend for the faith. He traces the movement as it battles Darwinism, higher criticism, philosophy, and liberalism.

One of the many strengths of the book is the perceptive descriptions of early fundamentalist leaders, such as Moody, Riley, Torrey and others. It’s also interesting to see how writers like Darby, Scofield, and even Francis Bacon influenced the movement. Also fascinating is what Marsden calls “The Great Reversal” (85f), explaining how fundamentalists changed from active engagement in civic reform to disengagement.

The primary benefit of this book is that it helped answer the question, “Who was the true fundamentalist? I or the guy whose views are hostile to mine?” Marsden points out that fundamentalism has historically embraced a variety of theological tenets. As he suggests, “Fundamentalism was a mosaic of divergent and sometimes contradictory traditions and tendencies that could never be totally integrated” (43). Fragmentation has been the norm historically. Everyone from Reformed/Calvinist traditions to Keswick deeper life advocates, from Warfield to Moody to Billy Sunday, have been represented within the fundamentalist fold. What bound them together was their common enemy: liberalism. Those who read Marsden (and other histories of fundamentalism) will better understand the current state of fundamentalism and can come to their own conclusions regarding the future of the movement.