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If you’ve been to a Christian bookstore in the past two months, you’ve probably seen Max Lucado’s newest book: 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope. Thomas Nelson has given this book substantial promotion, and it looks like the campaign is just beginning. Soon to follow is a teen edition, not to mention the trinkets that typically accompany our evangelical fads.

But leaving aside the faddishness of evangelicalism today for a moment, let’s get to the book itself. 3:16 will probably be Lucado’s best-remembered work. He borrows graciously from his previous works, especially in the devotional half of the book. 3:16 is a good introduction to Lucado’s winsome writing. Lucado’s ability to communicate is outstanding. I recommend that pastors read him, if only to learn from the delightful way in which he expresses theological concepts.

From a theological standpoint, 3:16 doesn’t break new ground, thankfully so. Lucado affirms the major Christian doctrines of the faith. He speaks rightly of Christ’s substitutionary death, the “Great Exchange” (our sin for Christ’s righteousness), the need for faith, the exclusivity of faith in Christ for salvation, and the existence of both heaven and hell. Lucado is a traditional, conservative evangelical. Yet, he manages to package these doctrines with grace-filled illustrations, explaining Scripture while challenging and comforting his readers all at the same time.

Those of us who lean Reformed may grow weary of Lucado’s constant appeal to humanity’s free will and choice. At one point, he states boldly that God never forces himself on anyone. So, although he claims that salvation is a work generated and based solely in God, he makes it clear that the choice of salvation is exclusively in human hands.

But let’s not get hung up on technicalities. The gospel shines forth in the book. I was thankful to see an emphasis on the resurrection and not just the cross (something that Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life completely neglected).

3:16 is an easy book to read and digest. I have no doubt it will make an impact on many a lost person and that God will use it to bring people to himself. God bless Max Lucado for using his gifts to preach the gospel!

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

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