Change of Heart, A

“Not long ago, I was asked to write on the topic, “If Christianity is so good, why are Christians so bad?”-a question made vastly more difficult by the problem of “false professors” in the pews. I’m grateful that Allen Nelson has accessibly, persuasively, and winsomely laid out the case for restricting the title, “Christian,” to the regenerate.

As A Change of Heart negotiates the theological currents and rapids associated with monergism, Ordo salutes, sacraments, etc. it’s chock-full of scripture citations, helpful analogies (employing The Princess Bride, spinach, buzzards, and a hostage situation), and rich quotes (such as Martyn Lloyd-Jones’s “It is true of a man not only that he is in the dark, but that the darkness is also in him”) . . . with even a touch of humor (referring to Jesus John 3 visit to “Nick at Night”). And Nelson’s use of other voices is most impressive, so much so that I started grouping them alphabetically to see if every letter was covered. Pretty close, to include this sampling: Augustine and Ascol; Beeke, Berkhof, Bavinck, Bunyan, and Boettner; Calvin, Carson, and Cyprian; Dagg, Edwards, Flavel, Grudem, Hodge, Judson, Keach, Luther, MacArthur, Nettles, Owen, Packer, Reisinger, Sproul, Tertullian, Vaughan, and, for W, Wesley, Whitefield, Watson, and Washer. 

When I was a trustee at Southern [Baptist Theological Seminary] back in the 1980’s, a candidate for tenure was working at cross-purposes with Abstract of Principles’ Articles VI on “The Fall of Man,” which states that Adam’s “posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law.” I wish that she’d had this book on hand to help clear up her thinking.”

 -Mark Coppenger, Retired Professor of Christian Philosophy and Ethics, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

 When Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” He revealed that the only way anyone could enter or even see the kingdom of God is as a result of a work of God’s Spirit in the heart of a person that is so powerful, so life altering, that it is analogous to physical birth. Just as there is no physical life without physical birth, so there is no spiritual life without spiritual birth. Allen Nelson understands this and helps his readers understand both the nature and importance of this supernatural work of God that takes place inside a person. In the process, Nelson pastorally guides readers over biblical, historical, and theological terrain to help clear up confusion and provide helpful instruction on this vitally important subject. The result is a wonderfully accessible book on a vitally important topic.

-Tom Ascol Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL President of Founders Ministries, President of The Institute of Public Theology