2018: Book #34
I’m a preaching geek.
I’m a theology geek.
John MacArthur’s book, “The Gospel According to God: Rediscovering the Most Remarkable Chapter in the Old Testament” is an excellent examination of Isaiah 53. The entire book comes from his sermons. It’s factual…but there’s something lacking.
The last chapter of the book is titled, “Judah’s Demise.” It doesn’t end with hope.
MacArthur’s book taught me a lot of useful things: it taught me how to study the Bible, how to construct a sermon, and how to use Biblical stories as illustrations. Even so, the book simply falls flat.
Here’s why…
MacArthur explains salvation, substitutionary atonement, the judgment of God, sin, and so on. However, rather than electing to end on a high note by offering the reader tremendous hope, the book ends with Judah’s demise.” The last two chapters of the book offer a historical context of Isaiah 53.
MacArthur didn’t write the book, only the sermons. This is from the acknowledgments, “My profound thanks to Phil Johnson and Dave Enos, who helped draft this material from transcripts of my sermons….”
For me, sermons flow differently from what’s common structure for a book. If you are into sermons, great! If not, be prepared.
I did find the book helpful. It reminded me of the following lessons:
• God is in charge of history. He orchestrated all of it so Jesus would be the highlight and redemption would be the eternal story.
• God is big enough to inspire people to write prophecy before events occur.
• God loves me; He showed that love at Calvary.
I give McArthur’s book 2.5 stars out of 5.
That’s book #34 for 2018.
18 more to go before I reach 52 for the year.
Remember, all leaders are readers.
If you want to be a better leader…be a reader.
#52in2018
