The Pocketbook Theology Series

Encouraged by Ben Lowell and the staff at Back to the Bible Canada, I have begun a project that I suspect will take me a number of years to complete. It is called “The Pocketbook Theology Series.” The idea behind this is to produce small readable books (35 pages) which deal with important theological truths that all believers should know. The first in this series is entitled, “What is the Gospel?” I have completed it, and it is coming out this month. Write to Back to the Bible Canada and receive a free copy!

There are two reasons why the first in the series is about explaining the gospel. First, this year is the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. The Reformation marks the recovery of the gospel after it had been buried under layers of church tradition. Second, the gospel is still in danger of being lost.

I think this book will be very helpful to both Christians and, as a brief introduction to the gospel, non-Christians alike. I use language that is understandable, but I don’t resort to clichés. I demand the reader think more deeply about the gospel, even while a greater depth can be achieved by using language that is familiar to both. And so I urge you to get your copy.

But why such a small book?

Most of us don’t aspire very high in our reading goals. We have all manner of books lying around our homes. These are the books we had committed ourselves to reading at some time in the past. They now testify to our good intentions, but also to our inability to commit to reading in a world of electronic media. Shorter books can easily be read in one hour. They invite reading without demanding a greater commitment than most are able to accomplish.

But shorter books can become longer books. By committing to a pocket size series on theological topics, readers are invited to get a basic summary on a number of topics.

What will I write about in the future? Assurance of salvation is surely on the docket. So is a basic primer on the Christian’s growth into holiness, and basic themes such as the nature of God, heaven and hell, the person of Jesus, and the person of the Holy Spirit. I even anticipate doing a booklet on creation, the providence of God and the second coming of Jesus. Over the years, I wish to produce a series that will allow Christians to catch on to the great truths of the faith in a way that is bite-size. My prayer is that it will allow more of us to know our faith, even when larger books may have been daunting.

And so, let me invite you to “What is the Gospel?” Refresh yourself, and deepen your understanding of the very center of our faith. God bless!