I continue to receive very encouraging feedback on the new book. Here’s an e-mail I received today from Don Double, one of England’s most prominent Christian Evangelists:

Dear John,

I want to thank you so very much for your book “Twelve What Abouts”. I am reading it in depth right now and enjoying it tremedously and finding it really helpful too. I’d like to say that I very much like your style which is what I would term ‘readable’ (for one with my limited academic background). You may be aware that when [my wife] Heather died, the big issue for me was me clearly seeing that ‘God is Sovereign’, thus helping me deal effectively with grief amongst many other things.

Trust you are doing well.
Don

Praise the Lord!

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) died earlier this week. His book, Fahrenheit 451 remains one of the most iconic works in American Literature. At home with his cats and collectables, Mr. Bradbury talks about how the book (as well as some of his other works) came into being and what has sustained his extraordinary career.

by Jared. Browse more data visualizations.

HT: First Things

An author writes with the hope of being read, and more than that, not so much by my words, but by His word, His truth and His measureless grace as it is unfolded in the pages. May it be something of a tool in His hands for this purpose, for His glory.

ENDORSEMENTS:

“It is a privilege to have received your book, ‘Twelve What Abouts.’ The title is great as are your ‘what abouts,’ and your responses. Thank you for your ministry in Christ’s kingdom and for the clear and thoughtful work that has gone into your book.” – Dr. R.C. Sproul, President, Ligonier Ministries

“Sometimes a single misapprehension or sticky question stands in the way of an honest believer’s examination of the doctrines of grace. John Samson answers those questions with a pastoral heart, yet with biblical fidelity.” – Dr. James White, Alpha and Omega Ministries

“After finishing a sermon from Ephesians 1, I was immediately confronted by three hostile young visitors who asked the question, ‘What about John 3:16?’; as if the Bible contradicted itself. This non-thinking, non-theological, feelings-oriented mindset is typical of today’s postmodern generation. Pastor Samson has given us a warm and simple (without being simplistic) introduction to the Doctrines of Grace, so this type of ignorance can be biblically combated. This book is a very helpful tool to give to a young Christian or to someone newly encountering the truths of free and sovereign grace. Distribute it widely.” – Rev. Earl M. Blackburn, Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana

“I want to commend, to all readers seeking an honest look into these matters, this very fine treatment in which Pastor John Samson carefully answers the most common objections to the biblical doctrine of divine election. John is one of the most passionate Christians I know, whose number one purpose is to make Christ known. This work on the doctrine of election is no exception. In it you will find that the purpose of election is to bring all glory to Jesus Christ in our salvation.” – John Hendryx, from the Foreword

The book is available in eBook and paperback at the links on the right hand side of the page, as well as at amazon.com in eBook here and in paperback here and barnesandnoble.com.

The paperback edition is also available in the United Kingdom here for 10 pounds with free delivery (in the UK).

TABLE OF CONTENTS (168 pages)

Foreword by John Hendryx
A Word to the Reader
Chapter One: The Place to Start – Amazed by Common Grace
Chapter Two: The Wind Blows Where it Wishes
Chapter Three: A Surprising Journey
Chapter Four: What About the Love of God? (Part One)
Chapter Five: What About the Love of God? (Part Two)
Chapter Six: What About Free Will?
Chapter Seven: What About God’s Foreknowledge?
Chapter Eight: What About John 3:16?
Chapter Nine: What About 2 Peter 3:9?
Chapter Ten: What About 1 Timothy 2:4?
Chapter Eleven: What About Matthew 23:37
Chapter Twelve: What About 1 Timothy 4:10?
Chapter Thirteen: What About John 12:32?
Chapter Fourteen: What About Reprobation?
Chapter Fifteen: What About Lost Loved Ones?
Chapter Sixteen: What About Prayer and Evangelism?
Chapter Seventeen: Saving Faith
Chapter Eighteen: The Flaming Missiles of the Devil
Chapter Nineteen: Spiritual Dyslexia
Chapter Twenty: As the King’s Herald
Further Recommended Resources

BOOK REVIEWS:

AiroCross blog

Pastor Earl’s blog

The Christian Thinker blog

INTERVIEWS:

Radio Interview: Backpack Radio interview, April, 2012

Video: Dr. James White’s Dividing Line interview, January 24, 2012

Chapter 19 of my new book “Twelve What Abouts…”

Dyslexia warps reality; the consequences of which can be catastrophic. It is something that causes great hardship to multitudes in our day. People with normal, or even above normal, intelligence suffer from dyslexia as the brain reverses numbers, letters or words. It is a huge learning handicap and, in severe cases, can greatly limit education and employment opportunities.

For those unfamiliar with the problem, imagine having the word “GOD” written clearly in front of you and yet your brain interprets the information as “DOG,” as the first and last letters of the word are transposed. I am sure you will agree that there is a vast chasm of difference inherent in this misinterpretation. My heart truly goes out to those who have to go through life having to combat dyslexia.

Moving from the physical to the spiritual realm, I believe multitudes of Christians suffer from what I would call “spiritual dyslexia.” It’s a phrase I heard some years ago and found it to be a striking one. Theologians don’t use this language of course. They would be much more comfortable describing this concept as “the noetic effects of sin,” which is the simple recognition that since the Fall of Adam, all of mankind’s faculties have been negatively affected, including his mind. In simple terms, we just don’t think now as clearly and precisely as we would have done if there had been no Fall.

According to 1 Corinthians 13, this side of glory, we only see through a glass darkly. One day, we will all comprehend things exactly (as much as finite minds can grasp the infinite). Yet right now, we all have our traditions and blind spots. If we knew exactly where we were wrong, we would change our viewpoint immediately. But the point is that we do not see these things until God the Holy Spirit enlightens us and overcomes the effects of our depravity.

Someone suffering with spiritual dyslexia then reads certain Bible verses and, though the words are clear, the traditions of men jumble up the words or miss key words entirely in a sentence. Or they just do not grasp the meaning at all. I speak here from my own experience, as I can honestly say that I had read certain verses a certain way (giving them what I believed to be a true interpretation) for many years until, suddenly, God the Holy Spirit allowed me to overcome my deeply ingrained spiritual dyslexia to see what the Scripture actually said. This is especially true in my own theological journey towards Reformed theology. I say this (hopefully) not out of spiritual pride, but simply out of sincere grateful thanks to God for opening up my understanding to the true nature of His grace. Please allow me to cite just a few examples of what I am referring to with a few quotes from the Gospel of John.
Continue reading →

“After finishing a sermon from Ephesians 1, I was immediately confronted by three hostile young visitors who asked the question, ‘What about John 3:16?’; as if the Bible contradicted itself. This non-thinking, non-theological, feelings-oriented mindset is typical of today’s postmodern generation. Pastor Samson has given us a warm and simple (without being simplistic) introduction to the Doctrines of Grace, so this type of ignorance can be biblically combated.This book is a very helpful tool to give to a young Christian or to someone newly encountering the truths of free and sovereign grace. Distribute it widely.” – Earl M. Blackburn, Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana

I have the paperback proof in my hands and am very pleased with how the new book looks. It has a very attractive front and back cover and the print is large enough to read (my mother loves this aspect), and at 160 pages, it can be read in just a short time. I hope that in time the book will come to be something of a Pastor’s or Bible Teacher’s “best friend” in terms of having something simple, clear and easy to read available for those who struggle with the very weighty issues of God’s Sovereignty in salvation.

You can buy it direct from the publisher here.

I have never visited South Africa. In fact, I was told that a bookstore in Pretoria, South Africa has just pre-ordered 10 copies of my new book. I am sure that for many, this is very unremarkable news. For me, to learn of this was a delightful surprise.

In around 10 days “Twelve What Abouts” will be published in paperback form. I am excited, anxious and hopeful, all at the same time. I really wish that the book will become a rich source of blessing to His precious people. Near and far and in villages, towns and cities I might never get to, perhaps God may be pleased to use this book to cause many of His saints to know His word better, and even beyond that, draw them into an encounter with the Lord, as they experience His grace in a new and fresh way. If God were to do that, it would be so very wonderful.

Dan Phillips writes,

“Anyone who hasn’t had a book published shouldn’t be expected to understand how an author feels towards his oeuvres. It’s a little like being a parent: you want your child to do well. The difference is that a child is capable of taking what you’ve labored to give him and going far beyond what you’d hoped and dreamed, with his own God-given efforts… or he can turn it all to shame and pain. A book, on the other hand, has just what you’ve put into it. Then it’s up to God, marketers, reviewers, readers.

Those who love what the book is and does naturally want to see others discover and enjoy and profit from what they’ve found. Others just don’t want to hear of it anymore. It’s hard to understand how folks blame authors for being excited and invested; after all, if you weren’t passionately-committed, why would you bother to go through the hundreds (thousands?) of hours of effort to produce it? Yet some do…”

My Prayer:

Here’s my heart Lord and here’s my book – the book You graciously helped me to write. Not only have You sustained my life against many odds, You have saved me and shaped me in ways I never foresaw.

Now Lord, I present this book back to You. I place it on Your altar. Its Yours. Now, do with it all that You intend. Whether for many or for few, may it bless and instruct Your chosen ones, for Your glory alone. I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.