Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read, 24 Jun 2009
I need to make a confession... When I bought this book I wasn't expecting much. You see, I never really like reading interviews, and the thought of reading 20 interviews on heresy wasn't the most exciting. But by the middle of the first interview (with Carl Trueman) I was hooked. I could not put the book down. What I loved is that Martin was asking the questions that I ask. Questions I would love to sit down and ask seasoned church leaders. Questions like:
How should a minster keep his heart, mind and will from theological error?
How have you dealt with church members or students who have been attracted to, or taken in by false teaching?
How can a minister keep himself from bitterness, pride and cynicism as he faces controversy?
How should a pastor protect the flock and help them to value sound doctrine?
Some questions were asked multiple times, and that led to some great depth of insights. I was interested to see how many of the answers were roughly the same, but came with very distinct aspects. However, what was true of all the interviews, was that you came out wanting to preach the Bible more. One of my favorite interviews was with Michael Horton who said this, `We are often known more for what we're against that by what we're for'. A very true comment, but not true about these interviews. They were Christ centered and gospel focused.
This book is not a nit-picking, heresy hunting, liberal burning, negative book. It is a generous (that is, there are many Presbyterians interviewed!), encouraging, challenging and strengthening book. It really does make you want to concentrate on the Truth.
Whilst around 5 questions are repeated, the rest are specific to each individual, Martin pushing them on certain issues, develops thoughts, and increases insights. A few of the interviews were one-off specialist interviews. Interviews that looked closely at specific issues in theology. These included Tom Schreiner on Penal Substitution, and Robert Peterson on Eternal Punishment. I found some of these interviews rather complex, and will need to look at them again. However, some of the summary questions helped me get a handle on the issues.
Ultimately, if you are a pastor, or going into the pastorate, read this book. It is, as Mr Ferguson suggests, a good book to sit down by a fire with, making sure that you have some lovely coffee, a few biscuits and a descent highlighter pen. You will be encouraged, and if you have drifted into being more concerned about refuting error than loving the Truth, you will be corrected. You will be humbled by men like Geoff Thomas and Iain Campbell, stretched by Gary Johnson, and moved by Robert Peterson.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent and distinctive piece of work, 4 Jun 2009
This excellent book is characterised by clear thinking and straight talking. The compiler conducted interviews with senior statesmen of Christ's church concerning false teaching and flawed living, in order to instruct today's church about prevalent errors and heresies. The conversations, pleasant in tone though stern in substance, focus on appropriate ways of handling and responding to these poisons. Some interviews are more general, others concentrate on specific areas of expertise. The New Perspective on Paul and the Federal Vision are consistently addressed.
Several notes sound repeatedly: the importance of grasping the cardinal doctrines of Christian orthodoxy; the value of the historic confessions of faith; the firm foundation of regarding the Scriptures as God's Word; the helpfulness of historical awareness; the significance of the local church; the value of clear, systematic, expository ministry. We are warned of the short distance between orthodoxy and heterodoxy, and urged to recover those who wander. Downes also marshals the apostolic evidence for positive preaching of the truth as the best and most balanced way to expose and condemn multiform and manifold error.
Few volumes have this book's distinctive character and purpose. An impressive variety of men give the concentrated fruit of their thinking in robust terms. It is a stimulating and instructive repository of counsel as much on the method and manner of holding to truth and assaulting falsehood as the matter of truth itself. You will not agree with all the details, but you will find a swathe of common opinion that is vigorously orthodox. At the core is a clear desire for the glory of God and the good of the church, a love for the truth and a concern for the lost and confused, and a clear-sighted awareness of what is at stake with a calm determination to hold the line and help others to do the same. Whether already engaged in fighting a particular battle, or simply seeking to keep honed the edge of your Jerusalem blade, here you will find a good whetstone.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't risk the truth, 16 Jul 2009
Risking the Truth
You emerge from the darkness, eyes blinking. Before you there are two chairs, black leather. A fierce spotlight illuminates the scene. Seated on one chair is the Interrogator. His job is to question the "guests". One by one they file in to face the man who wants to get at the truth at all costs. You get to watch and listen from the shadows. You take it all in. The Interrogator fires a question. The man sitting opposite him carefully ponders his answer before speaking. He knows what's at stake. This is `Risking the Truth'. The question master is Martin Downes and his "guests" are a wide range of theologians, church historians and pastors. Some hail from the UK, others from the States and one from Africa. They share a common commitment to Reformed theology, but each is his own man with his own way of putting things, his own insights and experiences.
In reading this book you get to eavesdrop on a series of conversations ranging around the theme of handling error in the church. How are we to deal with error when it rears its ugly head? This is the big question that drives Downes as he quizzes his top notch interviewees. Taking their turns in the hot seat are Carl R. Trueman, Derek Thomas, Iain D. Campbell, Conrad Mbewe, Joel Beeke, Michael Ovey and others. The answers elicited from the contributors evidence a clear grasp of Reformed theology, sound biblical wisdom, and real life experience of handling people who have been in danger of drifting from the gospel.
Contending for the faith once delivered to the saints is a matter that concerns every believer. But pastors will find it especially profitable to lurk in the shadows as the Interrogator questions his "guests". The book began life as a series of interviews on Martin Downes' blog, `Against Heresies' The conversational format adds to its value. "As iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend". (Proverbs 27:17). Each interview is distinctive and fresh. While some questions recur in each conversation, others are specially addressed to the subject's area of expertise. The interviewees are not identikit Calvinistic clones. They are individuals who bring their own styles and personal experiences to bear in their responses. There is something of a Presbyterian bias amongst the contributors, but a few Baptists and an Anglican are also given a say.
As Downes acknowledges, being against heresies is not enough. Jesus rebuked the doctrinally discerning church at Ephesus for losing her first love and called her to repent and do the first works (Revelation 2:1-7). Cold orthodoxy is not the antidote to heresy. May our hearts burn with love for Christ as we arise to defend his truth.
Highly recommended.
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by Edgar Andrews
by John Piper
