ENEMIES OF THE GOSPEL

Ligteringen’s debut theological work investigates the messages of the Apostles and the impact on modern Christians.

This slender book works to negate ignorance: “If we are ignorant about the gospel, we are prone to be misled and can easily be taken in by lies.” To do so, Ligteringen calls on such New Testament staples as the persecution of Paul, the letters of Peter (“celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus, which brings us to life and glory”), and the Gospel of John (“God’s love is complete in Jesus, so we must emulate him.” The book maintains a steady message of love for Christ and the avoidance of sin: “what is waiting for the person who does deliberately sin…will be a terrible judgment of fire.” Ligteringen directly addresses readers with some frequency, as in a chapter on the book of Revelation: “Our heroes have been hounded across generations, but let us stand boldly with them, upholding what is right and adding our voices to theirs—not to be intimidated by powerful and wicked types who would pervert the truth and who would suppress the truth—let us declare the truth.” His enthusiasm never wavers, which will likely strike a chord with a similarly devout crowd. Along with its heavy emphasis on Paul—to whom nearly half the book is devoted—the book seems to take his advice of avoiding deeper arguments: “Paul refers to foolish and stupid arguments, which produce quarrels. If we want to teach, we must not quarrel.” Not to be taken as a broad historical investigation, the book is instead a rallying call for the faithful, those who wouldn’t disagree that “We must repent, be baptized in faith and understand that we enter a new and eternal life with God, through Jesus.”

A brief, upbeat endorsement of the Apostles’ faith in Christ that should please the firmly faithful.