Playing with a handful of pebbles on a beach may amuse a child but if swallowed they will choke him. In search of the truth many people are being fed with the pebbles of unbiblical teaching and have not been fed with the Word of life. The author of this book brilliantly exposes the shame and danger of this.
Peter Barnes pastors a church in Sydney, and lectures in church history. In eight concise chapters he defines and traces the nature and history of theological liberalism and its disastrous effects.
He replies convincingly to the challenge presented by this rejection of biblical Christian faith and summarised in the historic creeds of the church. Issues of life, death and the destiny of immortal souls are affected by this ages-long battle for the truth.
One chapter alone is worth every penny of the purchase price. Entitled ‘Key doctrines’ it is a superb statement of evangelical beliefs and deserves to be studied by all who want to be grounded in the essential truths of God’s Word.
Peter Barnes’ robust handling of the issues is admirable. He does not hesitate to name some who are opposed to such beliefs. This prophetic and apostolic practice is an invigorating change from the sentimentalism that refuses to rebuke serious error – such as that proclaimed at Spring Harvest not so long ago, for example.
This little book will equip Christians to deal with a major challenge affecting the spiritual welfare of millions in today’s world, many of who exist in church life. They have been deluded by the attractive pebbles of error, polished by Satan and scattered by his emissaries in ecclesiastical garb.
Lies must be answered by truth, and darkness must be dispelled by light. A grasp of the contents of Peter Barnes’ book will assist those who want to feed those for whom they care deeply – or who want to avoid choking themselves!
Timothy G. Alford
Stowmarket
