"I Believe" (Thom S. Rainer)

TITLE: I Believe: A Concise Guide to the Essentials of the Christian Faith
AUTHOR: Thom S. Rainer
PUBLISHER: Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2023, (176 pages).
 

What do Christians believe? Maybe, the question ought to be: What are the basic beliefs of the Christian? Today, there are many people who say they believe, but many are simply superficial or worse, ignorant about basic doctrines and fundamentals of the faith. As a new generation emerges, the need to pass down the basics of the faith grows. The hymn "Faith of our Fathers" captures this sentiment eloquently. "We will be true to Thee till death." True to what? It's true to our basic beliefs. This book is a summary of 15 of the most fundamental doctrines of the Christian. For many believers across all denominations and non-denominations, the historic Apostles Creed summarizes the faith in crisp statements. Today, this creed continues to be recited regularly in many churches. If the Creed is likened to the skeletal framework of the faith, this book fills in the flesh. Author Thom Rainer does a good job of describing to us the various tenets of the faith in a simple and clear manner. His purpose is to help believers know them, understand them, and in due process, to know God better so that this knowledge can spur one further to love and serve God better. I would even venture to say that we can use this book also as a discipleship resource or Christian Education class. Not only is it educational for new believers, but it also serves as a good reminder for older believers. As a discipleship resource, this book goes through a good summary of the following:

1. The Bible (Inspiration, Canon, and Defense, etc.)
2. God the Father (Love, OmniPotent, OmniScient, OmniPresent, Holy, Righteousness, etc.)
3. God the Son (Fully Divine, Fully Human, Fully Present, etc.)
4. God the Holy Spirit (Person, Work, Advocate, etc.)
5. Trinity (Unity, Understanding, Implications, etc.)
6. Prayer (Reasons, Efficacy, Manner, etc.)
7. Angels, Demons, and Satan (Reality, Spiritual Warfare, etc.)
8. Jesus Dying for our Sins (Atonement, Reason, Sacrifice, Victory, etc.)
9. The Resurrection and the Ascension (Centrality, Significance, Consequences, etc.)
10. Christ the Only Way to Salvation (Comparing 5 Different Beliefs, Why Christ Alone, etc.)
11. The Local Church (Local and Universal Church, Membership, Metaphors, Significance, etc.)
12. Spiritual Growth (Regeneration, Maturity, Sanctification Process, etc.)
13. Sharing the Gospel (Evangelism Mandate, Message, Faith, etc.)
14. The Return of Jesus (End-Times, Various Millenial Views, Implications, etc.)
15. Heaven (Final Judgment, Hell, Heaven, etc.)

The author ends the book with the two classic creeds for our reference: The Apostles and Nicene creeds.

My Thoughts

This book skims on some of the most basic beliefs of Christianity. Written in an easily understood fashion, new Christians will benefit richly from the scope of coverage, albeit not the depth of details. Author Rainer gives just enough to whet anyone's appetite for more, and that is exactly what good teachers do. They spur deeper interest in the topics. For group study, this book can be used for general discussion and learning. Even older Christians can have something to learn. One thing I have noticed is that even older Christians forget the very basics they were supposed to know. One of my favourite chapters is the one that talks about the Bible and the criteria used for determining inspiration. I don't remember in my early years anybody ever teaching about these, so it must be something to help young believers address the modern culture of suspicion about the inspiration of the Bible.

Personally, this is a nice refresher on the basics of the Christian faith. The structure of the book gives a nice general framework for a primer in basic Christian Education. It can also be used in Sunday School or basic Bible classes. For the beginner, some of the things mentioned might seem new. However, advanced readers will deem the book too brief or superficial. They might even be quick to point out topics that are missing, like Bible translations, Church History, Predestination, Spiritual Gifts, Old Testament and New Testament books, and so on. Perhaps, these topics could be considered at the next level, or maybe mentioned as topics for future interest.

In summary, this is a good book for beginners and a welcome refresher for others. 

Thom S. Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers. With nearly forty years of ministry experience, Thom has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of the local church and its leaders. He has been a pastor of four churches and interim pastor of ten churches, as well as a bestselling author, popular speaker, professor, and dean. He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama and earned his MDiv and PhD degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rainer has written numerous books, including three that ranked as number-one bestsellers: I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, and Simple Church. He and his wife live in Franklin, Tennessee.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Tyndale Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.