Book Review

Fool's Gold by John MacArthur

Sunday of BNYC, I hopped in a car with a friend and slipped off to Grace Community Church. Clearly an act of divine intervention, traffic was relatively clear and we arrived at the church early. We walked through the bookstore to kill some time. It was such a wonderful experience to walk through a Chrisitan bookstore that wasn't filled with cheap, non-creative knock off t-shirts, bizarre anointing oils or "Christian candy," but of course...best of all was the lack of 20 foot displays encouraging me to find purpose or live my best life.

As I was cruising the aisles, I noticed Fool's Gold sitting on the shelf. I've heard much about this book (including a good friend who told me it cemented his negative attitude toward MacArthur's ministry), so I decided to pick it up.

Fool's Gold isn't really a book by MacArthur (he only contributes a few chapters), but rather by the Grace Community staff. The book basically calls for discernment in areas that are popular in Christian circles. Since it's more a compilation, I figured I'd break down what I thought of every chapter (If you don't want to read chapter breakdowns, just scroll down to "Overall Review"):

All that Glitters...A Call of Biblical Discernment John MacArthur

John walks the reader through the need to be discerning though some may consider it divisive. He establishes that the believer is in fact called to be discerning. Of course, he establishes all of this with Scripture, stating our need to seperate good from bad.

Plexiglass Preaching: The Devastating Consequences of a Watered Down Message John MacArthur

MacArthur states that "proper biblical preaching should be systematic, expositional, theological and God-centered." He then lists fifteen reasons that superficial preaching is bad (which could probably have been expanded to a list of fifty).

A Sense of Purpose: Evaluating the Claims of "The Purpose Driven Life" Nathan Busenitz

This is probably the chapter that hornks the most people off. How dare Nathan challenge a best seller that so many people claim has changed their life? I was actually surprised by the amount of grace that Nathan extends. He actually lists several strenths of the book and is careful not to attack Warren's motive. However, he is also not afraid to point out a few of the glaring errors (Casual approach to Scripture, Incomplete approach to Theology, Inflated Position of Prominence, Pragmatism associated with seeker sensitive models). A good chapter for people to read who don't understand why everyone isn't on the Saddleback bandwagon.

The Old Perspective of Paul: A Critical Introduction to What Paul Really Said Phil Johnson

I love reading Phil, and this chapter doesn't disappoint. He quickly explains the "new perspective," and then exposes the arrogance that says we now know what Paul was saying better than the last 18 Centuries. A good explanation of the "new perspective," if you're wondering what it is.

Roaming Wild: Investigating the Message of "Wild at Heart" Daniel Gillespie

Gillespie is thankful that a man saw the need to write a book about masculinity, however, he wishes Eldredge would have consulted Scripture more than movies. Gillespie reminds us of the bizarre circumstances regarding "a conversation" Eldredge had with God as well as many doctrines he forgot to mention when describing Jesus. Eldredge noticed a problem in men, he just didn't answer it Scripturally.

When Truth Becomes a Tabloid: A Closer Look at "The Revolve New Testament" Rick Holland

The New Testament repackaged like a teen magazine might sound like a great way to get the Bible in more hands. But Holland exposes some concerns that emmerge from the style and the "additional information" the editors decided to include. Again, the publishers may have had pure motives, but the product seems to be tainted.

Solid Rock? What the Bible Says About Contemporary Worship Music John MacArthur

I cringed when I saw this topic in the book. It's no secret that I don't like PDL or Wild at Heart, so I knew those chapters wouldn't bother me. However, I expected to be troubled by this one and thought it will give a good opportunity to know what others, who like those books, feel like while reading. Actually, I thought the chapter was great. MacArthur breaks down hymns and songs, not by style, but by content. I thought it was a very well written chapter that helps people separate preference from Scripture.

Just as I Am: A Closer Look at Invitations and Altar Calls Carey Hardy

Many people think that altar calls are a sign that a pastor cares about the lost. However, altar calls can often confuse who are the lost. Hardy doesn't state that altar calls are evil, but just asks people to exercise more discretion.

Let Your Light So Shine: Examining the American-Christian Approach to Politics Phil Johnson

Many people feel the frustration that so many equate being a disciple with voting on the right. However, Phil first questions if God desires to reach the world through our politics, but then calls us to influence the way Christ desires.

Choking on Choices: Combating Consumerism with a Biblical Mind-set Kurt Gebhards

A good follow up chapter if someone still isn't sure why the pragmatism of PDL is probably not wisest.

Hills to Die On: A Doctrinal Framework for Developing Discernment Dan Dumas

Dumas breaks essential discernment into three categories: 1) A high view of God's Word, 2) A high view of God's person, and 3) A high view of God's salvation and gospel. It helps us realize that just a slight alteration in these areas creates a critical heresy.

Keeping the Faith: A Practical Plan for Personal Discernment John MacArthur

MacArthur closes the book with a biblical guide to developing discerment in your own life.

Overall Review

MacArthurs book is neither mean spirited nor opinion laden. Each author seems to carefully write with gracious words and through a biblical grid. They're not afraid to address contemporary issues, which also means they cover significant topics. I think many people feel their toes are stepped on simply because of the title. But I don't think MacArthur, or any other writer, was calling anyone a fool. He was simply speaking of "pyrite," also known as "fool's gold." MacArthur begins the book talking about the gold rush in California. He was not calling anyone a fool, but rather speaking of how we can think something is pure gold, and yet it isn't.

"Fool's Gold" exists, and we can all be tricked by it if we aren't careful.