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Book Review: The Naked Gospel




Let's suppose you know what grace is. Let's further suppose that you even fall closer to grace than works on that grand debate. If you've ever said "God, I understand your grace. Thanks. What's next?", then I have a must read for you.

It's called The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley. It's subtitle is 'the truth you may never hear in church'. While the subject of grace is certainly heard in church, I suppose Andrew may be correct. The level to which he takes grace could take much longer to preach and teach than most pastors are willing to give to one topic.

And that's too bad.

This book hits hard and honest on Grace and all of its questions, problems, balancing acts, scripture verses, applications and implications. Drawing largely from the book of Hebrews, Andrew brings to light God's economy of grace and why the blood payment of Jesus issued in the New Covenant. It should change everything and it does change everything.

In one chapter he talks about conversing with a friend in college. "I don't really know how to explain it. But the real thing isn't about trying hard to act differently. Becoming a Christian is like dying and waking up the next day as a totally new person." Six months later his friend recounts how he thought about that and asked God to kill him. Andrew admits that "God, kill me" isn't your typical salvation prayer, but that is what this is about.

It could easily be said that the topic is too elementary to visit again. After all, shouldn't we understand grace? I say this topic should be revisited over and again because this is foundational truth meant for or hearts and minds. As Jesus taught with the men who built homes on rock and sand, respectively, foundation makes all the difference.

Are you ready to see the difference between Old and New. Then get yourself a copy of this book.

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