©2006, P & R Publishing, 200 pp. in hardback

The Epistle of First John was inspired for the purpose of the Christian’s assurance of salvation. This book is not a commentary on 1 John. However, it shares the same emphasis as 1 John. The contributors write with the knowledge that Christians should have true assurance. They write with awareness that Christians can misunderstand assurance by overly focusing on their own sin and unworthiness. Also, the non-Christian can have a false assurance by focusing on the apparent goodness of his works.

The writers address each of these problems by turning the reader’s attention to Jesus Christ. The Christian’s hope is in Christ alone. Our assurance rests in Him and what He has done. Thus, the Christian must constantly look to Christ and not the recognized futility of his works. The non-Christian must recognize the lack of any saving worth in his own works and look to Christ alone.

Christ is the focus throughout the book as various authors address facets of assurance. Sinclair Ferguson examines justification and assurance. He stresses that one is justified by Christ alone and then explains the relationship of justification and sanctification as addressed in church history and in scripture.

John MacArthur contributes a chapter on repentance. He stresses the glory of repentance as seen in the fruits of it, and our true repentance being an evidence of our assurance of salvation.

Jerry Bridges develops the role of God’s discipline in the believer’s life and our submission to it. He draws out various ways of profiting from discipline, including aiding our assurance as we continually look to Jesus in the midst of such discipline.

Other chapters examine topics such as doubt and assurance and the relationship of the sacraments and assurance. Contributors include Albert Mohler, Jr., R.C. Sproul, and Philip Ryken.

This is a well-written, readable volume that will be very helpful to those concerned about biblical teaching on assurance. Its writers employ much scripture and write with knowledge of the Westminster Confession of Faith and other reformed confessions. It is a well-balanced work and is written with a knowledge of assaults on this biblical doctrine.

Review ©2008 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia