THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: A DOCTRINAL INTRODUCTION, by Sinclair B. Ferguson

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance

By Benjamin Montoya

 

Introduction  

The Christian life depends on doctrine. There are key doctrines that inform what it means, how it is lived, where it is headed, and much more. What does this life entail? What does it look like on a daily basis? What are the doctrines that we should consider to help us live it? Consider reading this summary and the book to learn more.

 

In This Book, You Will Learn:

• That the Christian life is meant to be one of living by knowledge
• Key theological concepts
• Clear and concise explanations of these concepts
• The practical implications of these doctrines for our lives.

 

The Larger Contribution of This Book:

The Christian life is one that is tied to clear theological knowledge for right living. Ferguson’s book helps us understand those doctrines that are closely tied to what it means to live “in Christ.” Consider this theologically rich and personally practical book from someone who has a deep understanding to provide clear and concise explanations. Whether you’ve studied these doctrines for a long time or are just starting, this book will provide sustenance for both audiences.

 

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1  Knowing is for Living
Chapter 2  God’s Broken Image
Chapter 3  The Plan of Grace
Chapter 4  Called by God
Chapter 5  Conviction of Sin
Chapter 6  Born Again
Chapter 7  Faith in Christ
Chapter 8  True Repentance
Chapter 9  Justification
Chapter 10  Sons of God
Chapter 11  Union with Christ
Chapter 12  Election
Chapter 13  Sin’s Dominion Ended
Chapter 14  The Christian’s Conflicts
Chapter 15  Crucifying Sin
Chapter 16  Perseverance
Chapter 17  Asleep in Christ
Chapter 18  Glorification

 

Chapter 1: Knowing is for Living

What we know is supposed to affect how we live. We do not learn simply for the sake of knowledge acquisition as an end in itself. Rather, we learn about to be transformed. This point is one that the Bible teaches throughout.

Consider the words of Christ in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18–20). Christ commands his disciples to make disciples by teaching them to “obey” all that he commanded. Their knowledge of his teaching was supposed to result in changed living. Paul also teaches this same point. Recall Romans 12:1–2. After Paul teachings so many important theological truths, on the basis of those truths, he calls Christians live in light of them. There are many examples where the biblical writers makes this same point.

This book is designed to help us know theology so we can understand how to live it. Although this book was not written to cover all aspects of theology, it was intended to cover enough so that we can understand the Christian life well. That is, we can understand how God’s redemption of our lives should be applied to them.

 

Chapter 2: God’s Broken Image

We need God’s redemption applied to our lives because of our state before God. Although God made us in His image, that image is now broken because of the Fall. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, it had profound effects on us.

The first effect is that the image of God is defaced. Instead of living and doing as God wanted and commanded us, we now begin to live for ourselves. We become anti-God. Second, we are now under the dominion of sin and death. God promised death as a result of our disobedience, and now that is what we have. We experiential spiritual and physical death. . .

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