Review - Gospel Assurance & Warnings

Gospel Assurance & Warnings, Paul Washer, Reformation Heritage Books, April 2014, 252 pages.

Gospel Assurance & Warnings is the third book in the Recovering the Gospel series by Paul Washer. This series addresses the need to recover the biblical gospel in a day of easy believism, cheap grace, and man-centered preaching. Divided into two parts, this latest book addresses scriptural assurance of salvation and the warnings to those with false assurance.

In the first part, the author uses the 1st epistle of John to answers the questions, "How can I know I have born again, that I am truly a child of God? How can I know that I have believed unto eternal life?" Washer makes it very clear that we are saved by faith alone, by grace alone, through Christ alone. But because of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we have been made new creatures, given new hearts, and new affections. This should result in visible fruit in our lives even though we still sin and do not achieve perfection until final glorification. Thus the reader is encouraged to examine 12 areas:

• Walking in God's Revelation
• Confessing Sin
• Keeping God's Commandments
• Imitating Christ
• Loving Christians
• Rejecting the World
• Remaining in the Church
• Confessing Christ
• Purifying Self
• Practicing Righteousness
• Overcoming the World
• Believing in Jesus

Part two addresses the dangers of dumbing down the gospel in such a way as to give false assurance. The small gate and narrow way are made broad and inviting. The call to renounce all to follow Christ is minimized. People may respond to this message, but they may not be truly born again. This is so dangerous because their souls hang in the balance.

I appreciated the clear presentation of the gospel throughout the book. I also appreciated the use of the Scriptures as the objective standard for our assurance. Too often feelings or experiences become the basis. Thankfully God has provided the means whereby we test whether we are of the faith or not. Also the book is very, very clear that these evidences are not the means whereby we earn salvation but the result of God's work in us. At the same time, it was sobering to consider the warnings against false assurance in God's Word and examine what we are preaching. Is our message faithful to the Scriptures or one that is palatable to the world?

While easy believism may be an issue in many evangelical churches, there is recent concern in the Reformed camp regarding the emphasis of gospel indicatives to the minimization of gospel imperatives. Washer does briefly mentions antinomianism in the section on Practicing Righteousness. I would have liked to have seen more discussion of assurance in relation to antinomian-like trends in the church.

Given its theological depth, this book would be very useful for church leaders and believers who are helping those wrestling with assurance. However the very depth and the length of the book may intimidate a struggling Christian. While there are numerous calls for self-examination in the light of God's Word, it would have been helpful to have a section that addresses the doubting believer directly.

Overall, Gospel Assurance & Warnings is a very helpful book that encourages the believer to examine himself in the light of God's Word and give serious thought to gospel message he is presenting to others.

I received a copy of this book from Reformation Heritage Books via Cross Focused Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."