I almost gave this five stars, but it was little short and did not give enough practical implications of this teaching. With all that being said, this book was an excellent introduction to a topic that is very difficult to address with any sort of clarity. The best thing about the book was his emphasis on Christology and specifically our union with Christ. That union does not just affect our justification, but also our sanctification. Christ tends to be a magic word for many antinomians in our age. So his use of Christ to defeat it was excellent. The other impressive thing about the book was the precision with which he addresses the issue. He carefully defines his terms and uses a lot of definitions and clarifications to make sure his point his made. He uses the historical debates of the 16 and 1700's to frame the discussion. I wish he had given some more practical applications for how pastors can address this issue. And I wish he had mentioned more names. The only contemporary man he mentions is Tullian Tchividjian.He made me very interested in reading more about the subject. This is a short but great book dealing with the issue of antinomianism or the denial of the use of the Law of God in the Christian life especially for living and holiness.Mark Jones is an excellent Puritan scholar so he comes at the topic from the perspective of historical theology but this book does not get lost in the forest of church history. In fact, Jones keeps his eye of practical Christian living today and peppers this book with relevant Scriptures.Jones' treatment allows him to briefly point to warnings and dangers that can surface today both in the Christian's heart and Christian preaching.Most helpfully he points a way forward: the person and work of Christ. We are not to separate Christ and his benefits. All of his benefits are important and we cannot minimize sanctification as a subsidiary of justification.His chapter on assurance is one of the briefest but most helpful treatments I have ever read. He reminds the Christian that they are to go back to the promises of God. While part of assurance can come from looking at our justification, we can equally examine the growth in our life (our sanctification) and have assurance because we have seen God's work in us in the progress of holiness. Here again, Jones centers the chapter in Christ and his benefits for us.This is an excellent little book that hits at a very important issue for today by coming at it through the lens of church history. Jones' writing is clear, succinct and well paced. His style hits home when addressing the believer. You can easily tell that Jones is both a scholar and a pastor.This book has much to commend and I would recommend it to anyone interested in issues of Reformed theology, pastoral theology, historical theology or just practical Christian living on the topics of sanctification and the value God's commands to a Christian's holiness.
What do You think about Antinomianism (2013)?
One of the best reviews I have seen on this issue contemporary within Reformed circles even today.
—iacia
Excellent livre ! Probablement dans mon top 5 en théologie !
—MaddieMerritt
