The Mark of Jesus: Loving in a Way the World Can See

Christians need to be aware of how our actions look to the world, we also need to stand firm in the faith and be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15). That is a summation of what this book is about. The authors bring up much to be considered, studied, and thought about. It covers how to love our neighbor, even when it may seems impossible, and gives reasonable and scriptural reasons to apply. The book goes over the biblical definition of evangelical 'unity'. Unity must be based on the truth found in scripture, and not for purly humanistic reasons. Some very good points were made in this chapter. It also covers how to respond when the world calls us hypocrites. Observable love is seen by how we treat one another. Most Christian will tell you they believe the fundamentals of the faith, those things that are essential, but they are quick to be devisive that they are not fundamentalists. Evangelicals don't want to associated with the name, but the fundamentals of the faith are and have been, a distinguished quality of Evangelicalism. This was an interesting chapter. The 2 authors are distinguished scholars.

What a great book for every Christian to read (one of my top 5 with other books -- Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper). How others view Christians is critical to personal evangelism. While acknowledging God's sovereignty, this book stepped on my toes and thank goodness!

Contrary to what you might think, we Christians should care about unbelievers' opinions of us, according to distinguished theologians Timothy George and John Woodbridge (and they should know). Specifically, we need to be aware that our relationships with one another speak volumes to the world. "The early Christians were concerned, and rightly so, about the impressions unbelievers --- 'outsiders' --- might carry away from a visit to their worship service (1 Corinthians 14:23-24). And, among the pastoral qualifications set forth in the New Testament, is this one: 'He must have a good reputation with outsiders,' (1 Timothy 3:7). Jesus Himself said that we are to let our light shine before others so that they can see our good works (Matthew 5:16)." The authors go on to point out that this reality doesn't mean that Christians should alter their convictions in order to curry favor with the world. Still, we should never forget that Jesus does give the world the right to decide whether we are true Christians based upon our observable love for one another. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another," (John 13:35). This love is what the authors call "the mark of Jesus" and it's the title of their book. The project is firmly planted in the shadow of theologian and apologist Francis Schaeffer's THE MARK OF THE CHRISTIAN, as it is a conscious update and expansion of the ideas promoted in that book. Schaeffer was concerned, as theologians and lay people alike grappled with the proper preaching and understanding of the gospel in the 20th century, that they not forget the importance of "observable love." And it's a reminder that we in the 21st century could use as well. "In a way difficult for us to fathom, how we as Christians relate to one another has a direct bearing upon whether the world will know that Jesus comes from the Father. When this incredibly important point is grasped, we begin to realize that we ignore this neglected 'apologetic' to our great loss. Neither our evangelistic efforts, nor our social action, nor our apologetic efforts will receive God's full blessing if we do not evidence the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our relations with each other as believers. The mark of Jesus in us is crucial and it is compelling." The book explores what the mark of Jesus might look like in today's world, with chapters dealing with charges of hypocrisy and radicalism in the church, learning to discern what beliefs are primary to the Christian faith and what compromises can be made in good conscience, and the opportunities presented by immigration and multiculturalism. THE MARK OF JESUS covers a lot of territory and could be used as a survey of practical theology in an intro college class. Less academically oriented readers will appreciate the stories the authors use to illustrate their points, including the conversion of political attack dog Lee Atwater and a moving story of racial reconciliation between a Japanese and K