Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith

by Douglas Wilson, Roger Wagner, Douglas M. Jones III

Book Overview

This enlightening introduction to Reformed theology calls us to a fresh understanding of the faith in four crucial areas. Contributors include Douglas Wilson, Douglas Jones, and Roger Wagner.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875522165
• ISBN13: 9780875522166
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: P & R Publishing
• Length: 319 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Exceptional!!!

This book is responsible for introducing me to the Reformed faith. For years I had been told of the "evils" of Calvin and his twisting of God's character... afterall, he's a lawyer... and who can trust those guys? But what I found shocked me! The reformed faith actually made sense (go figure...)and had no semblence to the caricature the critics like to draw of it.I was going through a rough time in my faith and I decided to re-examine things I had been taught in church when I stumbled on this little gem of a book. This book was the stepping stone to my discovering the Reformed faith and gave me a firm foundation that had never been built in my life. I continue to return to my copy from time to time for its concise examples, thoroughness and extremely readable style... my paperback edition is extremely dog-eared.If you are interested in testing the waters of historical, evangelical Pretestantism, I heartily recommend this book as a launching point.

Well-rounded presentation of Reformed Theology

The book is divided into four sections: Conversion, The Covenant, The Church and The Christian Life. Each chapter in every section has study questions that reinforce and help the reader gain a deeper understanding of each section. The foreword is written by RC Sproul.Doug Wilson, Doug Jones, Roger Wagner and David Hagopian have put together a well-rounded presentation of the Reformed Faith. As Roger Wagner, one of the authors, states, "the Reformed faith starts and stops with the sovereign and gracious God who has revealed Himself in Scripture." That's the focus and starting point for every discussion in the book.Many authors simply complain about the condition of the Church. Not these authors. They exercise terrific insights, give helpful direction and pastoral-theological wisdom that really does encourage the student of Scripture. Each message is an example of compassion. A short summary of the book from the book: "[God} is, and forever will be, preeminent in all things (Col. 1:18)." In all areas of life, God is primary and it is Him that we glorify in all things. Conversion, covenant, church and life, all things are for Him and through Him. The authors' theses are complete and clear. Their goal was accomplished: Why is Reformed theology such a good thing (or is it)?This title is recommended by: RC Sproul, Jay Adams, E. Calvin Beisner, James Montgomery Boice, D. James Kennedy, John Frame, Jerry Bridges, GI Williamson and Steve Brown.

A Return to our Reformed Heritage

Most protestant denominations praise the efforts of Luther and the other founding fathers but since have adapted a very different theology. Hagopian, Wilson, Jones, and Wagner do a good job of bringing us back to the "richness of the Reformed faith." First and foremost, it's biblical. In addition, it's logical and the most glorious! Read this and let's bring the glory back to God, not man.

superbly written overview of the Reformed faith

I am so impressed with this superbly written overview of the Reformed faith that I am going to write to the editor/author, David Hagopian, to tell him how much I have gotten out of it. I am a religious Roman Catholic who is interested in exploring other Christian theologies, which is why I ordered this book. This book has deepened my faith in God and, as strange as this may sound, has made me a more devout Catholic. Although there are (obviously) differences between Reformed and Catholic theologies, one of the things this book has taught me is that God is sovereign in all things on earth and in Heaven. What wonderful news this is! I recommend this book to all Christians, especially to mainline Protestants, because so many of the mainline denominations seem to have watered down their theologies in the past twenty years. Indifferent Presbyterians, in particular, should read this book and find out what they are missing.

An outstanding book for explaining reformed faith

This book is one of the finest books explaining the basics of Reformed Theology available. Clear & concise, the authors explain the tenants of reformed theology in a way that leaves little to question regarding man's lot in life and God's plan for salvation.