This helpful little book aims to help navigate people though confusions that contemporary society generates, and which so often derail those who engage with Christian teaching. It also serves to clearly ground believers in the faith, especially as they seek to help others explore it.
The ‘Five Half Truths’ are: 1) The Bible was written by men; 2) all religions are the same; 3) God is love; 4) Jesus is truly a man; and 5) our good deeds matter. The book concludes with chapters on ‘the whole truth’ and a final challenge to think all this through.
Positively, the author gives helpful, clear explanations of gospel teaching. This could prove useful as an evangelistic tool, and to help grow the faith of young Christians in the gospel truth.
A bit more negatively, its main weaknesses are that it assumes a lot of background knowledge, uses illustrations more familiar to an American audience (the author is a pastor in the USA), and doesn’t really touch on issues that seem to come up regularly in conversations about faith today – namely matters of sexuality and gender roles.
That said, it would help someone who was really seeking and who was confused by any of the five half-truths it addresses. It sheds gospel light into contemporary fog! Happily commended.
Dr Ray Evans
Bedford
