This is quite simply the best book on the subject of Antinomianism that I have read. Mark Jones (minister at Faith Vancouver, PCA) is informed, insightful, judicious, precise, carefully nuanced — and rich and inspiring to boot.
We poor sinners, Christian though we may be, evidently find it difficult to be truly biblical on all sides of a given issue, and this is particularly evident with regard to questions of duty and grace, of law and gospel. In our love for the “indicatives” we can fail to understand the place of the “imperatives” in a way that leads us to miss the fullness and the beauty of the gospel itself. It’s an old problem, as Jones vividly demonstrates, but it is also a contemporary problem — as he also reminds us.
Of course no Christian wants to be “antinomian,” and in fact the word is often abused and thrown about carelessly and without historical or theological precision. Jones’ new work provides remarkable historical clarity and theological definition, and with it all he establishes a view of sanctification that is as compelling as it is attractive. You are not far at all into this rather brief study at all before you are struck with the captivating Christ-centeredness of careful obedience to God’s law. There are secondary issues, of course, that will continue to be debated, but few will not find Jones’ thesis itself to be both clear and convincing, and they will be grateful for the precision he has brought to the discussion. It is a book that is richly rewarding — historically, theologically, and devotionally. I cannot think of a title I would rather recommend on the subject.
Stay tuned — we hope soon at Books At a Glance to interview Dr. Jones regarding this most helpful book.
Fred G. Zaspel is Pastor of Reformed Baptist Church in Franconia, PA, professor of theology at Calvary Baptist Seminary, and executive editor here at Books At a Glance.