Recommended Reading

Adam Kinzinger with Michael D’Antonio,Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country(New York, NY: The Open Field/Penguin Life, 2023), 295 pages

Liz Cheney,Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning(NY, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2023), 372 pages

Cassidy Hutchinson, Enough(NY, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2023), 362 pages

Introduction

The events of January 6 ^th 2020 remain emblazoned on the conscience of all Americans. How will history record and explain the actions of those who participated in this drama? In 2023, three individuals published first-hand accounts: Adam Kinzinger with Michael D’Antonio, Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in our Divided Country ; Liz Cheney,Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning; Cassidy Hutchinson, Enough. Each of these accounts provides an invaluable insight into the failed insurrection of January 6^th; each provides a critical insight into the current political expression of Christianity within America.

Renegade

Adam Kinzinger served our country in the Wisconsin Air National Guard (45) prior to being elected Representative for the Illinois 11 ^th Congressional District in 2010 (109). Coming from an Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) background, Kinzinger “questioned some of the basic assumptions of the faith” as an adolescent (11). On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 representing the most legalistic, according to Kinzinger, “IFBs might rate about an eight” (12). Given his knowledge of the Christian faith, you and I may assume Kinzinger is a Christian.

Renegade documents the underpinnings of the current Christian political movement from the Tea Party to Trumpism, from Jerry Falwell to Pat Robertson, from Ronald Reagan to George Bush Jr. That Kinzinger communicates the Christian roots of Trumpism helps you and I understand the passions underlying the 2020 insurrection. In this regard, his strategic insights into his fellow travelers proves intriguing and frequently drives the narrative. In Chapter 10, I Am a Traitor (and I’m Okay with It) , Kinzinger’s hopes and aspirations as a politician come to a dramatic turning point; will he fold to the pressure to succeed in a Republican Party under Trump or remain loyal to his oath of office and stand apart from his fellow legislators who participated in the insurrection—knowing it will cost him his political career and endanger his newly minted family? Along with Liz Cheney, Kinzinger was one of only two Republicans to serve on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 ^th insurrection.

Eventually an important question percolates to the surface of Kinzinger’s account: In the face of such withering departures from the faith by so many fellow representatives, what happened to Kinzinger’s faith in Jesus Christ? “Evangelical theologian Russell Moore, a religious conservative who stresses Christ compassion, called me out of the blue. Moore is deeply worried about Christian nationalism and Evangelicals’ support for a man, Trump, who is a florid liar, a consummately divisive politician, and a cruel leader” (289). Moore introduced Kinzinger to the work of N.T. Wright, who

takes issue with much of conservative Christianity in America, including the widespread idea that we are living in the End Times and that before the Second Coming of Christ believers will be literally lifted into heaven in an event called the Rapture. …He is a deep thinker but also a man of deep warmth who reinforced my sense that the rage I encountered from people who claimed to be Christians represented the opposite of what’s taught in the Bible represented by Jesus (391).

Though you and I might look forward to the coming Rapture, we must agree with Kinzinger’s conclusion that the current rage, Trumpism, does not represent Jesus or His teachings.

Currently, the former congressman works to promote Country First, a political organization “(f)ormed to welcome (and support) Republicans, Democrats, and Independents ” in order to “advocate civic engagement, rank-choice voting that rewards top vote-getters, and nonpartisan primaries” (288; underlining added).

Oath and Honor

Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, was first elected to the House of Representatives the same year Trump was elected President, 2016. As a life-long Republican with spotless pedigree, she rose quickly to become the chair of the House Republican Conference while serving on the House Rules, Natural Resources, and Armed Services Committees. A lawyer by training, she enjoyed a decided advantage as a legislator and a very promising career in American politics.

She and her husband of 31 years, Phil Perry, have five children. Like Kinzinger, Cheney is a Christian who openly identifies with Christ. “Liz’s faith has been a cornerstone in her life, with her family actively engaged in the Episcopalian Church for many years. The Cheney family is a regular at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan in Jackson, Wyoming” (http://biblehint.com/what-religion-is-liz-cheney/#). In her prayer to the Republican Conference on the day she was removed as chairperson, she quoted Scripture: “Help us to speak the truth and remember the words of John 8:32: ‘Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ May our world see the power of faith, may our nation know the strength of selfless service” (182). The close collaboration between husband and wife recorded by Cheney throughout Oath and Honor, in particular, reveal a loving mature Christian marriage.

Unlike the younger Kinzinger (born 1978) and Hutchinson (1996), Cheney (1966) does not write about a personal crisis of faith, rather “(t)his is the story of the moment when American democracy began to unravel. It is the story of the men and women who fought to save it, and of the enablers and collaborators whose actions ensured the threat would grow and metastasize” (3). As such, Cheney’s story is an exacting historical account and a beautifully documented timeless indictment. (Sadly, the publisher relegated the footnotes to a website: “The endnotes for this book can be found at http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/liz-cheney/oath-an-honor/9780316572064/ .” Print all 69 pages—you won’t be disappointed.) The timeliness of Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning is an utterly stunning accomplishment driven by Cheney’s passion to defend democracy within our constitutional republic from a Republican Party caught up in Trumpism.

By highlighting the evidence preceding the January 6 ^th insurrection, Cheney provides both the context for and the forethought evidenced by former President Trump and his accomplices. See in particular Chapter 6: The Secretaries of Defense (53-57) and Chapter 8 : More Sinister Than I was Prepared For (63-66). After reviewing the evidence Cheney presents, the violence against the peaceful transfer of power on January 6th seems very likely a part of a larger premeditated plan.

The actions on January 6 ^th and shortly thereafter by the majority of her fellow Republicans raise difficult questions: What moved people like Kevin McCarthy to continue to support Donald Trump after initially denouncing him for the violence on January 6th? What motivated Jim Jordan to report to Donald Trump via cell phone in the midst of a violent attack on the Capitol? If fear, then fear of what? How many of the Republicans in the House of Representative were privy insiders to Donald Trump and the insurrection? More than likely, only the DOJ can ferret out these questions.

Cheney’s fate within the Republican Party in some ways reflects Jimmy Carter’s fate within the Democratic Party during the 1980 election. As Christians determined to do that which is right despite the consequences to their political careers, both were abandoned by their parties in their time of need. Cheney closes Oath and Honor with a call to action: “every one of us—Republican, Democrat, Independent—must work and vote together to ensure that Donald Trump and those who have appeased, enabled, and collaborated with him are defeated” (368; underling added). Surely, like Carter, the Lord has a yet greater calling for Cheney.

Enough

Cassidy Hutchinson, the youngest of our three authors, served in various capacities within Trump’s White House. Her role as assistant to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, in particular, allowed her unprecedented access to the inner workings of those responsible for the violence of January 6^th. Hutchinson’s public testimony before the January 6 ^th Select Committee is well known. Her intensely personal story offers extraordinarily troubling insights into President Trump and those who served him. How troubling? Consider, the actions of Mark Meadows following the insurrection:

Debbie, Mark’s wife… made one last request. ‘Cassidy, Eliza, please don’t light that fireplace anymore. Mark doesn’t need to burn anything else. All of his suits smell like a bonfire, and I can’t keep up with the dry cleaning.’ (236)

What documents did Trump’s Chief of Staff burn and at whose behest?

How can such a talented and intelligent young woman be squandered and dissipated in nothing less than a tortured, profanity and alcohol laced environment? Consider Hutchinson’s conversation with her Mom following January 6^th.

Mom is crying. She’s begging me not to move to Florida. …My tone is flat, uninflected. ‘I have to go. I’ve already committed. The boss needs good people around him. The only reason today (January 6^th) happened is because we let bad people, crazy people, around him. I need to try to fix—’

‘Cassidy. Listen to yourself.’ …This isn’t you. You know better than this. You can’t fix him. You know you shouldn’t go.”…

I hang up and put my phone on Do Not Disturb. Heavy, loud sobs escape from my chest. I have to go, I have to go… (219)

What parent’s heart is not torn listening to their daughter struggle to continue walking on eggshells in order to fix a tired and embittered old man.

Enoughoffers little indication whether Hutchinson is a Christian. Instead, in the midst of being castoff from Trump world, Hutchinson takes solus in the example of another castoff from the Nixon era, Alexander Butterfield. True, Butterfield’s example is worth emulating. Her account closes with the following scene.

We simultaneously reach out and wrap ourselves in a warm embrace. With The Last of the President’s Men pressed against the small of Alex’s back and my tears beginning to soak his cashmere sweater, I bury my face in his chest.

‘It’s okay,’ he comforts me. ‘It’s okay, you’re home now.’ (356)

And, why should she be drawn to Jesus in the midst of a sea of “Christians” who, like Mark Meadows, consider themselves deeply committed to God, who, nonetheless, are largely responsible for the catastrophic events of January 6^th?

Common Themes

Democracies demand both leaders and citizens exercise civic virtue and submit to the rule of law. I’m neither a Republican nor a Democrat, neither a Capitalist nor a Socialist, neither liberal nor conservative. When my doctor recently accused me of becoming a Vegan, I corrected her, “I’m a Christian not a Vegan.” As Christians we live or at least ought to live outside the box of conventional labels. So, how might we understand these two concerns?

The Absence of Civic Virtue

The Apostle Paul explicitly warns Timothy of perilous times to come (2 Timothy 3:1).

3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

3:4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

Each of these accounts highlights a remarkable lack of civic virtue among those engaged in and/or enabling the events of January 6^th. Against the larger backdrop of moral decline, these snapshots in time remain an indelible part of our history and an important precedent for future events.

The Lawless One

The Apostle Paul also warns about the mystery of lawlessness and the coming lawless one.

2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10)

According to all three accounts, Donald Trump holds himself above the law. In effect making himself without law or lawless. His current claims of absolute presidential immunity only reinforce what previous actions have already revealed. If elected President of the United States in 2024 and at the same time convicted of various criminal counts, how will Trump assume office? Will he then be a forerunner of the lawless one yet to come? As brothers and sisters in Christ, do you and I have a greater love of the truth ?

Come Lord Jesus

No American enjoys seeing democracy fail within our constitutional republic. Nevertheless, ethical norms and standards of behavior are plummeting; our borders are crossed illegally; our streets and schools are like supermarkets for all manner of drugs and gun violence; and alternative sexuality esteemed. Although civic virtue and the rule of law have historically distinguished the United States from much of the world, the events of January 6 ^th should remind all of us as Christians that our nation is not immune from the catastrophic events of the End Times. Again, the Apostle Paul admonishes:

5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-7)

Will our republic’s decline into darkness herald the Lord’s soon return? As sons of light, do you and I have eyes to see and ears to hear the footsteps of our Messiah’s soon return?

Conclusion

Each of these first-hand accounts are outstanding. As a former airman who served in our nation’s military, Adam Kinzinger approaches the events of the insurrection strategically and tactically. Liz Cheney’s exacting and precise recollection of events reveals a brilliant legal mind and the disciplined tenacity to pursue the evidence wherever it leads. Cassidy Hutchinson’s struggles awaken a sense of parental anger and outrage over innocence lost. Regardless of differences, these three authors laid aside their own personal careers to reveal the truth about the events of January 6 ^th 2020. Perhaps, civic virtue and the rule of law have a half-life in our democracy after all… Come Lord Jesus!

David Neiwert, The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right’s Assault on American Democracy (Brooklyn, NY: Melville House, 2023), 536 pages.

Introduction

Some books are painful to read, yet essential to endure. David Neiwert, The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right’s Assault on American Democracy , documents the various splinter groups espousing violence against the American government. He recounts a dramatic battle between the forces of democracy and autocracy with a surprising grasp of detail and nuance. The Age of Insurrection is well footnoted. Thankfully for Christians, the message is simple: Allowing ourselves to be co-opted into a known lie and violent insurrectional rhetoric undermines the truth of the gospel.

A Known Lie

In sixty-two filings Donald Trump sued to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential election and lost sixty-one of those suits. “Among the judges who dismissed the lawsuits were some appointed by Trump... Judges, lawyers, and other observers described the suits as frivolous and without merit” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_election_lawsuits_related_to_the_2020_U.S._presidential_election). The lone exception in Pennsylvania failed to materially change the election outcome and was eventually overturned in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Once Trump’s legal recourses were exhausted on December 7 ^th 2020, the rule of law requires him to abide the outcome. In other words, by law Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden… yet the “Stop the Steal” campaign continued in full swing. Why? David Neiwert traces the origins of “Stop the Steal” to political operative Roger Stone’s work for Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries and general election (116-117). The campaign was revisited in the 2020 elections by political operatives like Ali Alexander, Steve Bannon, and Amy Kremer. “Their “Stop the Steal” Facebook group was an immediate sensation, drawing over 300,000 followers in its first twenty-four hours” (118). Though Facebook eventually shut down the page down, the campaign only grew: “ Just Security found that the 8,200 online news articles featuring “Stop the Steal” published between the election and the insurrection garnered some seventy million engagements across a variety of platforms, with more than 43.5 million of them occurring in December 2020” (119). Clearly, political optics have little to do with the rule of law or more importantly the truth. Propagating a known lie was simply too politically profitable.

Violent Insurrectional Rhetoric

According to Niewert, the violent rhetoric that stoked the failed insurrection has roots in Christian Nationalism. He cites several examples: Stedfast Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas—Dillion Awes, “What does God say is the answer, is the solution for the homosexual, in 2022, here in the New Testament, here in the book of Romans—that they are worthy of death” (40); Shield of Faith Baptist Church in Boise, Idaho—Joe Jones, “’Put them to death. Put all queers to death. They die.’ When they die, that stops the pedophilia” (41).

Awes father-in-law, Pastor Aaron Thompson oversees a fundamentalist church in Vancouver, Washington, where he preaches a similar message, …teachers who encourage “the filth of sodomy” should be “shot in the back of the head” (42).

Clearly, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

No Christian should ever rejoice in sin; however, the Apostle Paul makes clear such will be during the End Times:

3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3:3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

3:4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

Paul commands us to turn away from ungodly people. Some of our brothers and sisters perceive that the kingdom of God is now and therefore desire to apply Old Testament law to society. However misguided, they construe this modern day legalism as obedient worship. Sadly, when becoming executioners of the Law of Moses supplants preaching the good news of Christ, their rhetoric prompts action and eventually they become agents of God’s retribution, alas sometime violent retribution.

Indeed, insurrection can appear a godly choice even as the very truth needed to save the sinner is lost in a quagmire of legalism and violence.

While standing in the halls of congress, QAnon figure Jacob Chansley offered the following prayer:

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for gracing us with this opportunity …to allow us to send a message to all the tyrants, the Communists, and the globalists, that this is our nation, not theirs. That we will not allow America, the American way of the United States of America to go down… Thank you for filling this chamber with Patriots that love you… Thank you for allowing the United States of America to be reborn. Thank you for allowing us to get rid of the Communists, the globalists, and the traitors within our government (114).

In the midst of the January 6 ^th insurrection, salvation from “tyrants, Communists and globalists” co-opted the good news of eternal life and life more abundantly in Christ.

Ironically, Niewert’s reporting has a local flavor; QAnon affected city government in Sequim, Washington.

The mayor, a biker named Bill Armacost who runs a local hair salon, forced the resignation of Sequim city-manager Charlie Bush in January (2021) through a series of closed-door executive sessions—apparently fueled by Armacost’s ardent promotion of the QAnon conspiracy theories as well as his arch-conservative views that clashed with Bush’s handling of the city during the COVID-19 pandemic (275)…

Armacost, who calls himself a “warrior for Christ” on his Facebook page, is also an active biker who traveled to South Dakota during the pandemic in 2020 to attend the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, a massive gathering that draws 500,000 and turned into a COVID-19 super-spreader event believed to have resulted in 260,000 nationwide infections afterward. When he returned, he immediately reopened his salon, ignoring recommendations for a two-week quarantine (277).

Whether wrapped in the American or Christian flag, disregard for the lives, of others seems all too common with many of these splinter groups. Imagine the witness for Christ left by Mayor Armacost among the citizens of Sequim.

Holding the Line

Neiwert does not understand the End Times, but couches his account as a violent tussle between two political parties, one democratic, the other autocratic.

In spite of the ability of Democrats to hold the line, there were nonetheless more than 180 Republican election denialists (a number of them incumbents) who won their elections to the House—meaning that more than a third of the members of Congress after 2022 will have questioned or denied the 2020 election” (446).

As Christians how are we to “hold the line” on abortion, alternative sexuality, known lies, and insurrection. All of these issues and more have become visceral calls to action for both Republicans and Democrats, but as issues they are merely symptoms of a much deeper ungodliness (2 Timothy 3:2-5) for which no Christian should ever “hold the line.” Instead like our brother Timothy, let us bewatchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,(and)fulfill(our) ministry (2 Timothy 4:5)… while trusting in our Lord’s soon coming.

Conclusion

Although The Age of Insurrection is an unpleasant read, Neiwert does an outstanding job of connecting events into a larger picture for Christians to avoid being sucked into the known lie and violent insurrectional rhetoric of Trumpism… a worthwhile endeavor for any brother or sister desiring to preach the truth of the gospel.

Robert N. Wilkin, Inerrancy for Dummies (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2016), 70 pages.

Introduction

Few things are as important to evangelism as the truth of God’s Word. Wilkin quotes Dr. Norman Geisler: “The doctrine of the divine authority and inerrancy of Scripture is the fundamental of all the fundamentals” (p. 28). But to many liberal and conservative scholars, the theological doctrine known as inerrancy no longer means the Bible is true. Sadly, even seminary professors like Dan Wallace teach:

…my students… need to have a doctrinal taxonomy that distinguishes core beliefs from peripheral beliefs. When they place more peripheral doctrines such as inerrancy and verbal inspiration at the core, then when belief in these doctrines starts to erode, it creates a domino effect: One falls down, then they all fall down. (p. 29)

Clearly, Dan Wallace and scholars like him have already suffered the domino effect. Wilkin sums up the heart of the issue with a simple observation and question all of us should ask: “If the Bible has errors in it, then it is not God’s Word and Christianity is not true. What issue could be more fundamental than that” (p. 29)?

Why Inerrancy Matters

Faith is the ordinary yet essential response of a finite being in the acquisition of knowledge; in its simplest terms it is being persuaded something or someone is true.

From faith to faith (Romans 1:17), the believer is transformed, discipled and sanctified for the work of ministry.

Transformation:

Our worldview—the way we see the world and life—needs to be conformed to God’s way of seeing things, which is seeing the truth. If God’s Word has errors in it, then it cannot renew our minds and transform our lives. (p. 44-45)

Discipleship:

… discipleship hinges on the unity, and hence, the inerrancy of God’s Word. All the authors of Scripture are presenting the same principles for growth in the faith. (p. 46)

Sanctification:

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth(John 17:17)… if you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (John 8:31-32)… The truth sets us free from sin’s domination. Error cannot do that. God’s Word can only deliver us in our experience from slavery to sin if it is true. (p. 40, 43)

By faith alone in Jesus and His promise of eternal life (John 6:47-48; 1 Timothy 1:16), the unbeliever is made… alive (Ephesians 2:4-5), gifted with eternal life (John 4:10-14), or brought… forth by the word of truth (James 1:17-18).

If the Bible has errors in it, then it can teach competing gospels… It is not unusual today to find conservative Bible scholars say that for some the condition of everlasting life is turning from his sins; for others, simply believing in Jesus; for others, commitment and obedience; and for others, selling all and following Jesus. But how do you evangelize if you believe that? (p. 45)

The link between faith and truth is simple yet profound. If the Bible is not true, then faith in His word for either the believer or unbeliever becomes meaningless.

Conclusion

Wilkin makes a compelling case for the correct or true doctrine of inerrancy. Even for dummies, the truth of God’s Word is “the fundamental of all the fundamentals” (p. 28).

Robert N. Wilkin, Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2018), 144 pages.

As Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society, Dr. Bob Wilkin writes extensively on Free Grace Theology. In Grudem Against Grace, he responds to Wayne Grudem’s book, “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel (Wheaten, IL: Crossway, 2016); henceforth 5 Ways. Wilkin is at his best when weighing theological doctrines against Scripture; Grudem Against Grace does not disappoint. For those of us who hunger for the biblical perspective on Lordship Theology, this concise defense of Free Grace Theology is a highly recommended addition to our libraries.

Bob Wilkin wrote his doctoral dissertation for Dallas Theological Seminary, Repentance as a Condition for Salvation in the New Testament, in 1985. By 1998 Wilkin penned “Does Your Mind Need Changing? Repentance Reconsidered” JOTES (Spiring 1998), an article openly disavowing his dissertation (Grudem Against Grace, 19). Though many rightly know Bob Wilkin as a Free Grace Theologian, he is first and foremost a brother in Christ fully devoted to God and willing to openly change his theology to conform to Scripture. The Word of God informs Wilkin’s understanding of theology and his service to the Lord and others.

Even a cursory reading of Grudem’s book reveals that his theology informs his understanding of the Bible. He calls it the “ ‘historic Protestant’ position” (5 Ways, 25). Though this approach is commonplace in much of today’s scholarship, as Wilkin notes, “Wayne Grudem is an established scholar of the first rank.” (Grudem Against Grace, 133)—might you and I expect more from him? Sadly, despite glowing book cover reviews from other noted scholars, 5 Waysremains a rehash of Lordship/Reformed Theology and should give all serious students of God’s Word pause to re-evaluate. This is precisely what Wilkin does point by point throughout Grudem Against Grace.

Ironically, Wilkin seemingly bears the sword of God’s Word in a vacuum created by Grudem’s theological assertions and proof texting. Nevertheless this does not hinder him from concisely explaining from context the meaning of important biblical passages. Furthermore, Grudem’s lack of understanding of Free Grace Theology ultimately means Wilkin presents not a defense of Free Grace Theology, but of the Bible itself. This alone makes his work invaluable.

The labels Calvinism, and Arminianism are becoming less popular. When pressed most pastors earnestly wish to avoid the century’s long theological range wars these theologies engender, some go so far as to call themselves “Calminians.” Does Dr. Grudem’s “historic Protestant position” fare any better? He may not wish to be labeled a Lordship Theologian, Calvinist, or Arminian, but “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel speaks for itself. Those wishing to avoid the quagmire of Calminianism should be greatly relieved by Wilkin’s straightforward biblical answers to the “historic Protestant position.”

The issues addressed in both books demand serious consideration. In John 6:47-48, Jesus makes a promise, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life . Do you and I believe Jesus is the bread of life? Yes or No. If yes, then do we believe Him when He promises, he who believes in Me has everlasting life ? Yes or No. If yes, then what do you and I have? Perfect assurance of everlasting life. Grudem argues correctly that the “historic Protestant position” is I “have a confident assurance of… salvation in this lifetime” (5 Ways, 95). In marked contrast, Wilkin takes Jesus at His Word for what it truly is the very Word of God and has 100% “certainty now” that he has eternal life. As Wilkin notes, “ Confident assurance is not certainty” (Grudem Against Grace, 66).

Perfect assurance is the very essence of Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Afterall, He is the Christ, the Son of God… who alone is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) on the cross… who alone heralds the Father’s promise of eternal life to a world full of lost whoevers (John 1:12-13, 3:16, 4:10-13; 5:24, 6:40, 6:47-48; 6:51, 11:25-27, 20:30-31). Do you and I wish to abide faithfully in our Lord and share what He so boldly promises and entrusts to us? Like Paul, do we hunger to be a patten to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:16)? If so, then Dr. Wilkin’s defense of Free Grace Theology is an invitation to remain certain of our salvation and contend earnestly for the truth of God’s Word.For those of us hungry to abide and share the good news, Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology is an invaluable addition to our go-to libraries.