rating: [3/5]
So I am a about to head to a David C Cook training out in California, reading this book for a company that I love and adore, and I cannot quit asking myself, did Cook really publish this book?
Hell is Real But I Hate to Admit It is by Brian Jones, a senior pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley, a church he and his wife helped start in Philadelphia. From what I have read and seen of Brian Jones, he is a pretty sound guy, but after reading this book I have a hard time recommending it. The book is about what the title says, the reality of hell. In the beginning chapters of the book, I was hooked. Brian Jones was hitting the nail as he spoke about the reality of hell, and how when one really grasps the ramifications of it, it causes what he calls, “apocalyptic urgency.” The remainder of the book spends time unpacking his personal journey and what the modern day journey of a believer who comes to terms with the reality of hell would look like on a day to day basis.
This sounds all well and good, right? A perfect message for our secularized and slumbering American Church. Well let me throw a couple of quotes out to you that will catch your ear. This first one I absolutely agree with where Jones says,
“Common sense tells me if I truly believed that people who die without Christ will spend not jsut 1 year, or 150 years, or 150,00 years, or 150 trillion years, but an eternity in hell, this would be a game-changer. I would upend my life in the pursuit of changing the course of every person I met.”
Wow! That is a game-changer – and Jones is right on! He goes on to share how even atheists and spiritual skeptics get this point quoting a skeptic who shares his appreciation for proselytization of people. However, then you read chapter 10 where Brian highlights the time where had been able to share the gospel with a friend who was not a believer and after he shared it he says “he did what any apocalyptically urgent person should do in the situation – he changed the subject.” What?! He shared the gospel with someone and before asking if they wanted to receive Christ, he changed the subject? Why you may ask? Jones says, “I couldn’t let the fear of losing my friend to hell to cause me to barge ahead.” Is it just me or did someone fail to take their own advice? Dualistic, I think so…
SO maybe that’s not enough for you to the book a demerit? How about this quote,
“That scripture verse is referring to a specific time during Jesus’ life, and holds NO RELEVANCE for evangelism today.”
What’s he referring to here? It does not really matter but it’s Matthew 10:14 which says, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” I could tell you why I think that verse has a lot of relevance but the fact that Jones tells you any scripture has absolutely no relevance for today should shock you since 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says all scripture is inspired by God and beneficial.
Look, I don’t mean to bash Brian Jones, I am sure he is a wonderful man of God, I just want to give you an honest review of the book. These quotes are not taken out of context and there are some great things to gain from this book about a right perspective on hell can propel you to share the gospel in a radical way. It just so happens that Jones went a little too far with trying to balance other his radicalism maybe in fear that someone would call him on fanaticism.
Buy Hell is Real, But I Hate to Admit It by Brian Jones at David C Cook Publications for $14.99 today.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from David C Cook Publications by request in order to review its material. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Comments (1)