Core Christianity is a helpful book hurt by some faulty assumptions. Author Michael Horton set out to write a theology book that would be simple and understandable while still be comprehensive in its coverage of the nature of Christianity and the Gospel. No doubt he envisioned it as sort of modern update of John Stott's Basic Christianity or perhaps C.S. Lewis's classic Mere Christianity. The book certainly gets off to a good start. He introduces the concepts of drama (the biblical narrative), doctrine (what we believe based on the biblical narrative), doxology (how we respond to God in light of our beliefs), and discipleship (the practical ways that our lives are changed as we follow God). It's a nice outline, but a bit flawed in its execution. The first section of the book is excellent: explaining the Trinity, the nature of God, revelation, and the drama of the gospel throughout the Bible narrative. Toward the end, however, I think that Horton fails to connect these truths well to us. He also gets very bogged down in his eschatology. Horton is an amillennialist, and his eschatology appears to be completely central to all his other beliefs. Horton makes some straw man arguments against other types of eschatology and just ends up overprioritizing his own eschatology in his book, in my opinion. Not only do I disagree with Horton's amillennialism, but I think that in this book at least, he makes poor arguments for his eschatological beliefs.

While I was not impressed by the cohesiveness of this book as a whole, the first part is excellent and could be a very helpful resource. I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are entirely my own.

Core Christianity: Finding yourself in God’s story.
Michael S Horton
Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2016. 176 pages.
Reviewed by Andrew R.A. Green

What do you believe? Why do you believe it?

All of us have stories that determine our approach to life. These narratives give rise to our beliefs, shaping our identity, hopes, fears, and actions. However, taking the narrative for granted we are unable to explain what we believe and why we believe it.

Therefore, in order that we can enter into a conversation with those who ask, Horton said he wrote this book with the purpose of helping Christians understand the reason for their hope.

After providing an introduction orientating readers that Christianity is God’s Story and why doctrine matters, the book unfolds in ten chapters dealing with “core Christianity.” These are:
Jesus is God (Christology); God is Three Persons (Trinity); God is Great and Good (Attributes); God Speaks (Revelation); God Made the World but We’ve Made a Mess of It; God Made a Promise; Joy to the World! (Incarnation); Jesus is Lord; What Are We Waiting For? (Eschatology); In the Meantime: Callings.

These chapters may remind some readers of a systematic theology, which it does not intend to be, yet it may perhaps be the best book to introduce new readers to this discipline. Some have stated that this little book is a systematic theology, biblical theology and practical theology bound up in one volume. I would certainly tend to concur with this, and add that it packs in so much that its value should not be underestimated. Each chapter is valuable with its own merit.

As regards Theme, Horton seeks to guide readers using ‘the four D’s’: Drama, Doctrine, Doxology, and Discipleship.

Throughout the book, Horton demonstrates that the Drama gives rise to the Doctrine, which in turn results in Doxology or Praise/Worship, and Discipleship.

This is perhaps the strength of Horton’s book. He skilfully demonstrates that we do not just believe in isolated and abstract doctrines, rather, they arise from the Drama of Redemption. Further, Doxology and Discipline are then no longer merely subjective and based on one’s individual experience, but are in fact based on, and flow from the Drama and Doctrine.

Readers who are familiar with Horton’s works will notice there is not much that is ‘new’ in this book. However, this is not a criticism. Horton is a skilled and deliberate teacher who is also able to distil the work and labours of his larger work The Christian Faith and provide a Summary in a sense. Reading the book I was somewhat reminded Berkhoff’s Summary of Christian Doctrine and may perhaps be of similar use in this generation. For this reader, the strength of Horton’s work is how he presents the Drama with the Doctrine.

This book should appeal to readers of various levels and stages. Of particular interest is that one could almost build a little dictionary of theological terms, as these are helpfully outlined in brief explanatory notes and commentary throughout. Further, the book is biblically faithful with sound exegesis and helpful practical application.

I would thoroughly recommend this book as I found it stimulating, refreshing, challenging, and edifying. The book is also well written and in Horton’s usual readable style. Be prepared to learn and grow. Read and pass on or recommend to a friend. Tolle Lege!

The Good news is not an agenda for us to fulfill but an announcement of God's victory in his Son.

This is a study to help you get on track of what is important and not to be distracted on the things that take us away from the Gospel message. The text begins on who God is. This is so important because without it, we are utterly lost and will cling to other gospels such as the social gospel, prosperity gospel, etc and so on and so on. The study brings the old to the new. It shows the fulfillment of the old promise to the new promise. And most importantly it shows how the Old Testament points to Jesus and the work of the cross.

The relationship between the trinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the work of the Holy Spirit are key to the Christian life. I always appreciate an author and teacher that brings clarity to the work of the trinity. I love his words We experience this wonderful truth in the salvation that comes to us from the Father, in the Son, and through the Spirit. All three persons are dedicated to our salvation, working in distinct ways toward the completion of a single work of redemption.

We can make Christianity about our feelings and our passions but really Christianity is about God. His redemptive plan and making him known through our faith in who He is. Saving mankind from sin and death to a relationship that satisfies.

Biblical insights are important to see the whole arch of the word of God. This was prevalent throughout this study. One that I found interesting was the story of Abraham and the sacrifice of his only son. This was meant for mankind to be a picture of Jesus from everything to where and how and why all are significant. Because of this, I have always appreciated the teaching of Horton.


Quotes that I found encouraging

Until then, we are called neither to change the world nor to abandon it but to love and serve our neighbors to the best of our ability.

Evil is not a principle in creation itself but is the willful distortion of good gifts into an arsenal deployed against God's reign.

In finding our self in God's Story, we live and breath the Gospel. We don't fret about politics but we do get in the trenches to make Him known. We are not consumed by worldly things that don't last but treasure the things that last for eternity. We are not making our own kingdom but bringing the kingdom of God to others. This is a story that matters.

A Special Thank You to Zondervan and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.