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The Almost Christian DiscoveredA much needed antidoteTHE ALMOST CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED Matthew Mead was an English Puritan preacher who pastored a congregation in Stepney, London. The title of this slim book is taken from the words of Agrippa in Acts 26.28 (KJV). Mead's purpose is not to 'discourage weak believers' but to truly make religious hypocrites uncomfortable. He does this by examining 20 characteristics which at first sight suggest that those possessing them are true Christians, but, in fact, are not. For each characteristic which he maintains does not accompany salvation, Mead anticipates objections and provides answers to them. John MacArthur in his foreword welcomes it as a 'much needed antidote to the shallowness and flippancy that characterises today's Christianity'. It most certainly provides a stern challenge to easy believism and a careless acceptance of all who may call themselves Christians. In addition, it is as MacArthur describes it 'food for the soul'. Like 'Keeping the Heart' it encourages self-examination which is altogether Scriptural (2 Corinthians 13.5). For a Puritan work it is quite easy to read and as such should be widely circulated among all those who pastor, make disciples and are involved in evangelism. Sadly, it would not be easy to get those for whom it was originally written to read it in its present form. Keith Stokes, Oxford© Evangelicals Now - November 2001 |