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Book Review: Ashamed Of The Gospel
John MacArthur is a preacher, conference speaker, radio host and author or editor of more than 150 books. Ashamed Of The Gospel was first published in 1993.
In this book MacArthur makes reference throughout to Charles Spurgeon and the Downgrade Controversy of the late 1800s. What Spurgeon battled over a hundred years ago has similarities to the current trend of dumbing down church to increase attendance. MacArthur indicates that many modern Christians are ashamed or intimidated by the gospel. He indicates that many preachers and leaders “soften” the message of the gospel to make it more palatable for the secular world.
The author tells us that we as Christians should not be afraid to stand boldly in the truth, even when we must stand alone. The reader is pointed to scripture (Romans 1:16, 2Timothy 1:8, 12, Mark 8:38) to remind us that we should never be afraid to proclaim the gospel boldly.
Prevailing opinion of modern Christianity is that shorter sermons are paramount. People will forgive poor theology as long as the sermon isn’t long. Long windedness, we are told by modern pastors, is worse than hearsay. Quality preaching is being replaced with drama, dance, comedy, psychology and other forms of entertainment. Whatever brings the most people into a church is accepted without critical analysis. Church services are often designed to be more amusing than Christ honoring. Church attendance and worldly acceptability are the goals of many modern church leaders.
MacArthur uses this book as a plea to the modern church. He compares Christ’s worldly ministry with that of our current day church. MacArthur also discusses some of the difficult or sticky issues and explains why we should be shouting these truths and not hiding from them.
This book is a challenge to modern church goers to not settle for watered-down church and demand Christ honoring preaching.
