Price for a People

The following is the forward to an ACM booklet:A Price for a People The Meaning of Christ's Death by Tom Wells In 1992, Banner of Truth Trust (PO Box 621 Carlisle, PA 17013) published an excellent book by Tom Wells, a Christian minister and author in Cincinnati, Ohio. In A Price for a People Tom Wells presents a clear and precise explanation of the scriptural teaching of the meaning of the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary. Though the book is only 158 pages in length, over 45 Old Testament passages, and more than 178 New Testament passages, are examined. A Price for a People may be divided into three general parts.> Doctrinal. In the doctrinal part of the book (chapters 1-15) manyfamiliar arguments, and some not so familiar, are set forth with concision and insight to explain just why Christ had to die for His own. To prove his points, Mr. Wells uses a multitude of rhetorical questions as heanticipates the most commonly asked questions concerning the death of Christ and the great doctrines of reconciliation, propitiation, and substitution. Apartial list of the rhetorical questions anticipates the succinct answers supplied in the narrative: For whom did Christ die? What kind of act was the deathof Christ? What kinds of things keep a person from coming to Christ? How can the wrath of God be removed? What is meant by redemption? What be known about redemption in the Old Testament? What qualifications were necessary for a redeemer? What is it important to know doctrine? From what has Christ redeemed men? What does the death of Christ have to do with slavery to sin? Does the Bible teach that there is enmity, hostility, and estrangement between God and man? Can God be propitiated, appeased? When were men redeemed? When were men reconciled to God? When did God turn His wrathaway? Who died with Christ? Are men foreknown by God? Didn't Christ die for the world? When did God's elect die to sin? Etc. In the doctrinal section, the "hard" texts are examined for they are appeal to by those who oppose the concept of a definite atonement.> Practical. After setting forth numerous arguments to prove that Christ died for His own family, His own sheep, and His own people as a Kinsman-Redeemer, Substitute thereby freeing men from sin, Satan, and the wrath of God which was appeased, the practical application of the doctrine of a definite redemption is dealt with in chapter 16-18. In this section, some very surprising information is revealed about the love of God and some rather starling suggestions are made concerning the proper presentation of the gospel. The conclusions Mr. Wells draws, while open for immediate misunderstanding, are hard to refute as being wise. Supplemental. In the third and final section of A Price for a People, seven appendices provide supplemental material in support of the major arguments presented in the doctrinal part. Though placed as an appendix, this section should