Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 07:21 (Aug 2003)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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CTJ 7:21 (August 03) p. 221

Book Reviews

The Pre-Wrath Rapture View by Renald Showers, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2001, 255 pp., paperback, $13.99

Not surprisingly, Showers has put out another outstanding book. This one is “An Examination and Critique” (the subtitle) of the Pre-Wrath Rapture theory. Ironically, the two men most responsible for popularizing this theory are friends of the author; namely Robert Van Kampen (The Sign) and Marvin Rosenthal (The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church).

Biblically and irenically, Showers dismantles this most recent suggestion as to the timing of the rapture. Van Kampen and Rosenthal teach that God’s wrath will not come upon the earth until about three-quarters of the way through the Tribulation. Until then, the chaos in the world is man’s doing. Showers cogently makes the case for traditional dispensationalism while demonstrating the fallacy of this and other aspects of the pre-wrath view.

This very thorough work is supplemented by several illustrations and a 15-page bibliography. Christians of all educational levels will greatly benefit from this book.

Charles H. Ray,
Associate Editor

Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel by Michael Horton, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002 (second edition), 280 pp., paperback, $15.99

Michael Horton (Associate Professor of Apologetics and Historical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, California) has authored an exceptional work on the doctrines of grace in an easy to read and quite engaging book.

Horton’s goal is to remind Christians of the Reformation’s

CTJ 7:21 (August 03) p. 222

radical view of God and His saving grace. His emphasis is on the liberating, yet humbling, truth that we contribute nothing to our salvation. In an excellently written work, Horton sets about his task by expounding upon the doctrines of grace to show how they practically influence the lives of his readers. Along with helpful study questions, Horton achieves his goal admirably.

In an era when theology is becoming more and more man-centered, this work is encouraging and refreshing as it seeks to show that God works unilaterally in the work of salvation. There are many positive notes that could be mentioned, however, one must briefly look at the negative issues.

In Horton’s discussion of the ordinances of the local Church, he places too much emphasis on the sacramental nature of these ordinances. Instead of seeing them somehow impart grace, one should see them purely as commands which must be obeyed. Also, his amillennial theology shines through on a number of oc...

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