The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction. By Sinclair B. Ferguson. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, Reprint, 1997.
I have finally found it-the book that I will use to disciple new believers! I have used other great books by great authors before, but they just did not seem to fit correctly with the needs of brand new believers. However, when it comes to teaching fundamental truths concerning salvation, TCL fits perfectly. (Of course, all believers should read this one. We need to pour over our salvation again and again. This is a terrific tool for that purpose as well!)
Another reason this is such a great tool is how it is written. Ferguson writes just like he preaches; humble, exegetical, and applicable! (I listen to his sermons every week!) In TCL Ferguson takes the enormity of explaining salvation, explains it in simple language, and yet retains its enormity! Some authors think you need to use complex language to explain complex truths. They should read Ferguson! His explanation compromises none of salvation's majesty but is written in such a way that one can begin to grasp it!
The layout of the book is helpful as well. Ferguson's approach is something of an ordo salutis, that is, chronological steps of salvation. Laying out salvation in its stages is a wonderful way for believers to comprehend the eternal and present nature of being born again.
Ferguson explains the purpose for giving believers doctrine in chapter one, "Knowing is for Living." He laments, "...many of us who are professing Christians are distressingly weak in our grasp of the basic framework of biblical doctrine. (p.1)" True, but then, so what? Why should we bother to learn doctrine? Listen to these quotes as Ferguson is answering these questions and building the case for his book. "The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life. (p. 2)" "The point to be understood is that these great truths, which we tend to isolate in a category of ‘doctrines', are in fact the very foundation of Jesus' encouragement of his disciples and even himself in an hour of great practical need. (p. 4)" "The doctrines of the gospel are meant to mould us so that our lives begin to ‘set' in the likeness of Christ. (p. 6)" "Christian doctrines are life-shaping. (p. 9)" Amen and Amen! Doctrine is practical and necessary!
Two additional points of the book really stood out to me. First, Ferguson includes a chapter called "Asleep in Christ" to provide biblical teaching on death for the believer as part of what one will experience in their salvation apart from the return of Christ in one's lifetime. I have never heard of anyone else doing this, and this was such a helpful chapter! Second, in his chapter on sanctification, "Crucifying Sin," Ferguson provides an insightful definition of what it means to fight sin. He writes, "To follow Christ means to pronounce the death-sentence upon sin and to be in process of putting that sentence into effect by a daily crucifixion of all that sets itself against God's purposes in our lives. (p. 159)" (emphasis original) That's not only powerful and hits you right between the eyes, that's tremendously helpful! Sanctification is about daily putting the death-sentence to sin in our lives!
Finally, I'd like to share a personal note with you. Ferguson is definitely one of my heroes. However, he is Presbyterian, and I am Baptist, so we differ on how we explain and understand some biblical language and concepts. I wondered throughout the entire book if in the end, it would really only serve as a great resource for Presbyterian believers, which would have been a wonderful asset indeed! I was so joyful to find that Ferguson writes of salvation in terms and structures broadly enough that any evangelical believer can affirm it and recommend it! And he does so without losing any essential doctrinal elements. Again, his humility and generosity of personality show themselves in his writing this work for the benefit of all true believers.
I commend TCL to you as a new believer, a growing believer, or a mentor to other believers. And I praise God for his servant Sinclair Ferguson who has given us such a useful tool.