Reviewing The Gospel Call

I have recently read a new book on the nature of true conversion,  The Gospel Call & True Conversion by Paul Washer. In full disclosure and in accordance with my book review policy, I did receive a free copy of the book for review, but that does not effect my opinion.

Washer has an interesting background, having been a missionary in Peru for 10 years and founding and leading The Heart Cry Missionary Society. Thus, he has a lot of experience proclaiming the gospel in multi-cultural environments. Also, he is not your typical successful mega-church pastor author who fills his books with personal stories and references to American pop-culture. You won't find any of that in this book.  His writing style is both forceful and direct. This makes the book a little harder to read than most of the books I read, and from most popular Christian best-sellers - not because the words are academic or difficult, but because the content is not frosted over by a familiar style and cultural references.

What you will find in the book is the in-depth exegesis of many Biblical passage dealing with the nature of the gospel and what it means to be truly converted, from both the Old and New Testaments. I was especially intrigued by his analysis and application of Old Testament passages predicting the new covenant and work of Christ in conversion, particularly Ezekiel 36 and Jeremiah 31. This book will be a permanent part of my library, so that I can refer to it  whenever I want to speak or write about the Scripture passages he expounds.I believe this book will an excellent resource for Pastors, Evangelists, Bible teachers and all others who want to clearly understand, communicate and apply the true gospel message in their ministries.

You will also find in Washer's writings a burning conviction that American evangelicals have watered down the gospel into simplistic versions of "saying the sinner's prayer" and "making a decision" for Christ with no true inner transformation and life change. He believes this has hardened the hearts of unconverted people. The solution he recommends is more thorough presentation of the complete gospel message from the Scriptures - repentance and belief in Christ's work on our behalf.

Washer has also written another book, The Gospel's Power & Message. I'd like to get and read that one also.