A Right Conception of Sin: Its Relation to Right Thinking and Right Living

Dr. Taylor is one of the most scholarly theologians in our day. More important he is a spiritual man with a heart for God and holiness that has inspired hundreds of thousands of students and laity. The comments: By A Customer clearly misses the point that "right thinking" as Dr. Taylor calls it is to have Biblical Thinking. That is what Professor Taylor means and does an excellent job of pointing out how John Calvin's position is not Biblically based, or Biblical Thinking. Dr. Taylor is a firm believer in true and correct exegesis of Scripture, and that God said what He meant and meant what He said. "Thus saith the Lord! True Calvinism (hyper Calvinism) which is to accept all of John Calvin's teaching which is necessary to support his whole premise is not Biblically Thinking. Lastly, neither Dr. Taylor, John Wesley, or any true Arminian would ever discount the truly marvelous, unmerited, undeserved, grace of God. We are saved by Grace, plus or minus nothing! Mercy and love found me, and redeemed this poor lost sinner. The Bible and my life both testify that I had nothing to offer, the best I had was as filthy rags. As the old hymn says so wonderfully, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and Wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean. How marvelous, how wonderful my song shall ever be." Grace is not the only wonder though, nor did He save us to struggle and be defeated. The Biblical message throughout the Old and New Testament is that Christ conqueror sin and death, and we are more than conquerors through Him who gave himself for us. He came not to save people in their sins, but from their sins! That is Biblical! John wrote, "My little children, I write these things so that you do not sin! But if (not when) if we do, we have an Advocate (a Lawyer, a Representative who will plead our case for us." Arminianism is not omitting Grace; on the Contrary, it is Amazing Grace, Precious Grace, Abundant Grace to meet all our needs. Yes, (if) we fail, if we fall! But the plan and the Provision make failure unnecessary! TBS "For the weapons of our warfare are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds, . . ." We put on the armor of God to stand, having down all stand! We are not defeated, old split hoof is. The old hymn, "Would you be FREE from your burden of sin, there is power in the blood, would you o'er evil a victory win, There is power in the blood!" PTL! Wesley, as does Dr. Taylor preaches Victory, Deliverance, Power, Freedom, Abundant Living, in Christ as a result of His saving grace and His sanctifying power. We are to take up our cross and follow Him. In actuality we are to give up our life, He is not only Saviour, He is Lord! We are to surrender to Him, and His will. His way, not ours! It takes a surrender life, Apostle Paul said, am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the

I have never read a book outside of the Bible that has impacted my thinking so much! The issue of sin, and how God reveals that he deals with it, is essential to every believer. To be wrong about our thinking in this area will inevitably affect the whole scheme of our theology. To be wrong here determines whether we will follow God's view of sin, or man's view of sin. It can affect if we will live according to God's will, or passively like dumb sheep, follow man's unscriptural idea of sin to our own potential destruction. The first few chapters deal with a basic introduction to theology and how it works in a way that a layman can understand it. As I read the book the first time, I did not catch the importance of what he was saying. As I read on, I started to see how essential it was to truth to be consistent with Scripture, and with what I believed in other areas. Don't let the theological emphasis of the first three chapters dissuade you from reading the book! It is solidly Biblical, but exposes how we are all affected by theology. As for understanding theology, it is an eye opener! There are few books that I have read that I would use the terms "profound," "essential," and "must read" to describe it, but this is the one! I feel sorry for anyone that would neglect taking the time to consider this worthwhile book on such an essential subject that most Christians will never be clear or consistent upon.

This book is not a systematic theology, but emphasizes a doctrine which is absolutely crucial to having a biblical, coherent system of Christian thought. As Taylor suggests in this book, hamartiology is a core doctrine from which other doctrines stem. It certainly affects the way we live and think. If this essential doctrine of flawed, our whole system will be troublesome. Overall, Taylor is thoroughly biblical, citing numerous passages, in addition to being a careful theologian. I greatly appreciate this well-written work, and find it not only scholarly but easily accessible for all members of the church.

This book is the definitive resource for understanding and communicating the Arminian viewpoint. Although it is scholarly, it is not beyond the reach of the average Bible student.I could not recommend it more highly.