Member Reviews

Solid and serious that will contribute to ecumenical work on salvation theology. Bates definitely continues in one of his favorite themes! Found the framing of title a little off.

Was this review helpful?

Matthew Bates is a New Testament scholar to whom I pay very careful attention. His writing is deeply reasoned, biblical, and challenging, and this book is no exception. No one is safe here. While broadly supportive and honoring of both sides of the divide, Protestants and Catholics alike will feel the heat of his critique!

Twenty years ago, Bates' thesis would have sparked an agitated and unhelpful exchange. However, I believe the current environment is much more open. I also think there are far fewer hardened Piper, MacArthur, and "Young, Restless, and Reformed" enthusiasts on the Protestant side who would strongly object to Bates' arguments.

The author provides a helpful summary of his previous work on faith as allegiance and an explication of the Gospel. He then uses this context to examine how Protestants and Catholics view the Gospel and salvation. I recommend this book to everyone interested in the theology of salvation. It is deep water so approach with an open heart and engaged mind!

Was this review helpful?

Matthew Bates does it again! Beyond The Salvation Wars: Why Both Protestants and Catholics Must Reimagine How We Are Saved is a welcomed addition to Bates’s collection of vitally important work for the church and the Kingdom. In a very practical and approachable way, Bates unpacks some of the most difficult and divisive arguments concerning salvation, justification, baptism, and more. Having read Gospel Allegiance, Why the Gospel?, The Gospel Precisely, and Salvation by Allegiance Alone I opened this book expecting to simply rehash some of the previously explored material, but I was pleasantly surprised with Bate’s new angle and approach to fully exploring these long-debated issues with a focus, not toward further division, but toward unity. Get a pen, notepad, and fresh highlighter ready, because this is a book you’ll return to again and again as a wonderful source for understanding salvation according to Scripture. I highly recommend this book!

Was this review helpful?

Another strong entry in Bates' catalogue of books about the Gospel, salvation, and allegiance. The discussion between protestant and catholic views is especially helpful

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Was this review helpful?