In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life

This book is classic Ferguson, from what I know of him. It's like having a series of eloquent yet to-the-point pastoral conversations with a master of Scriptural exposition. His writing engages both mind and heart so well.

I enjoyed Parts I and II ("The Word Became Flesh," on who Christ is, and "The Heart of the Matter," on what Christ does) the most. No particular nitpicks of the later sections, which focus on living the Christian life; they were just more hit-or-miss for me, after highlighting practically every other paragraph in the earlier sections.

This book is made up of fifty short chapters that might be more effectively read as, say, a weekly devotional supplement, which is the way I might approach it if I were starting over show more again, and the way I'd recommend to a new reader. Though Ferguson occasionally speaks to evangelical Reformed issues specifically, I don't think that should stop other Christians from taking it up--I hope not, because on the person and work of Christ, his writing is hard to beat. One of the rare books I'd feel comfortable recommending to new and seasoned Christians alike. show less

Sinclair Ferguson is quite a wordsmith. I love his sermons and sat under him at First Pres in Columbia for 2 years. I haven't read all his books but quite a few and this is my favorite so far. The chapters are short and yet so full of wisdom. He explains many Reformed beliefs in a very readable and beautiful way. I know a family with high schoolers who used this for family devotions and loved it and the discussions that it launched.

This book contains a collection of short essays which started as articles written for Eternity Magazine and Tabletalk over the course of twenty years. There are fifty short chapters, none longer than four pages, grouped in six sections. The topics of the sections are

* the incarnation
* the different aspects of Christ’s work on our behalf
* the ministry of the Spirit
* the privileges of grace
* the expression of the gospel in our lives
* the faithful life

This is a devotional book, but like all quality devotional books, it is firmly biblical and doctrinal. It is also very accessible. There is nothing here that any Christian reader would find difficult to understand, and at the same time, I’m willing to bet that almost every reader show more will see at least a few of the blessings we receive in Christ with fresh eyes. Best of all, In Christ Alone gives the reader a thorough grounding in the gospel. Sinclair Ferguson has given us a book that will help us continue to preach this good news to ourselves so that we can center our whole lives around Christ and his work for us, in us, and through us show less

Great book!