Description: If the evangelical church at large was ever too confrontational in its evangelism, those days are gone. In our shrinking, pluralistic world, the belief that Jesus is the only way of salvation is increasingly called arrogant and even hateful. In the face of this criticism, many shrink back from affirming the global necessity of knowing and believing in Jesus. In Jesus, the Only Way to God, John Piper offers a timely plea for the evangelical church to consider what is at stake in surrendering the unique, universal place of Jesus in salvation.Free Audio Book (Till 3/31/2011)
I am listening to this book right now and it is a great one. Even thought it seems to be simple it is very profound and deep. This book is also timely with the advent of Rob Bells denial of eternal hell in his book “Love wins.” Here you will find good exegesis and theology defending the orthodox view of Salvation and eternal hell. It will warm your hear with joy and give you some fuel to proclaim the Gospel with your universalist friends.
“This book deals with one basic question… is Jesus the only way to salvation? Though this is a simple question it has many implications and the question itself can be broken up into three questions.
1) Will anyone experience eternal, conscience, torment under God’s wrath.
Is there such a thing as Hell? Is eternal punishment at stake in the evangelization of the world? Is Jesus the only way to escape from an eternal conscience torment of Hell? Will anyone be eternally cut off from Christ and experience eternal, conscience torment under the wrath of God?
This first question has to address such issues as Universalism and Annihilationism.
2.) Is the work of Christ necessary for salvation or are there other basis?
This deals with the issue of whether all religions are a journey to God and there is not just one way. It even deals with a Wider-Mercy and Inclusivism type view that would say a Buddist is saved by Jesus even though they may never hear His name or gospel.
3) Is conscience faith in Christ necessary for salvation?
A negative response to any of these questions diminishes mission urgency.
In summation John Piper argues that since there is a eternal Hell (ch 2) and the death and resurrection of Christ are essential for rescue from Hell (ch 3) and people need to hear this good news and believe it in order to be rescued (ch 4-7) and none are saved by any other means than hearing and believing in Jesus, then we should obey the Great Commission and spread the good news despite it being rejected and unpopular in our culture.
I’d recommend this book to anyone struggling with these basic, essential Christian truths, or someone who just needs a reminder and encouragement.