COMPLETE IN HIM:
A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the
Gospel
By Michael P.V. Barrett
Reformation Heritage Books. 283pages. £15.22
ISBN 978 1 601 785 435
‘Right thinking about the gospel produces right living in the gospel.’
Thus Michael Barrett, professor of OT at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, lays out his rationale for writing this book about the key ‘components’ of salvation – conversion, regeneration, union with Christ, justification, adoption, etc. – in 11 chapters, with review questions at the end of each. The book was first published 17 years ago; this is a reprint with light revision, having apparently had a wide readership in those years.
Those who are new to these great themes will find much here which ought to help produce the right thinking Barrett is aiming for. Every page holds the solid substance of Reformed orthodoxy. That said, I found it a little lacking in close, practical application that would really bring the truth into everyday life – so, meat aplenty, but a knife and fork might have helped. Also working against it is the decision to have all Scripture quotations in the KJV. This, coupled with regular and often lengthy excerpts from the 17th-century confessions, jars somewhat with Barrett’s otherwise readable 21st-century English, and places the truth one or two steps away from the easy reach of today’s reader.
And for those who are already familiar with the facets of the so-called ordo salutis? With great respect to the author, I’m not sure much new ground is broken here. I would of course rejoice if someone in my congregation was reading this and benefiting; but if someone actually came and asked me for a recommendation on the subject … I’d still be reaching for John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied.
