Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 36:71 (Autumn 2023)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

JOTGES 36:71 (Autumn 2023) p. 79

Book Reviews

Road to Heaven?: Constructed by Men Alone. By Dale Taliaferro. Dallas, TX: Equipped for Life Ministries, 2018. 160 pp. Paper, $14.99.

This book is written in response to Robert Jeffress’s book, Not All Roads Lead to Heaven. Taliaferro sees that book as a clear example of the Evangelical consensus that one must believe in Jesus in order to go to heaven. He strongly disagrees.

It is of interest that for years Taliaferro agreed with Jeffress. He studied at conservative Evangelical seminaries, and even holds degrees from such an institution. Readers of the JOTGES might find it interesting that early in his ministry Taliaferro was influenced by Earl Radmacher.

After searching the Scriptures, Taliaferro concludes that the Evangelical consensus is not explicitly taught in the NT (emphasis his). One of his major points is that in the NT the word salvation is not about going to heaven (p. 15). The doctrine that one must believe in Jesus for eternal life is turning people away from the Scriptures because of its exclusivity. Taliaferro says that faith in Jesus is not the only way (p. 17).

Taliaferro makes a number of points with which almost all our readers will disagree. He maintains that hell is a remedial place. Once a person goes there and his sins have been duly punished, he will be released. He sees it as a kind of purgatory (p. 23). In addition, Christ’s death has reconciled everyone to God. We ought to expect a universal reunion with God one day (p. 25).

Taliaferro says that God has provided many different ways by which people may acquire the forgiveness of sins. All men have a revelation of God, and this revelation can be used to lead others to God as each person knows Him (p. 27). Each person can, as well, walk with God as he understands Him. This is what Biblical salvation is. The NT never uses it to refer to getting eternal life or going to heaven (p. 55). One can be acceptable to God if he walks righteously, even if he does not believe in Jesus (p. 30). The NT does not promise a heavenly destination or give us a road to travel in order to get there (p. 43). Justification is not related to going to heaven at all. Rather, it is God’s approval on a life that is pleasing to Him (p. 47). If a person does not live righteously, he will temporarily go to hell. This is true, as well, for the person who has believed in Jesus (p. 60). Taliaferro says James 2 shows that one must have works in order to be justified before God.

JOTGES 36:71 (Autumn 2023) p. 80

Ephesians 2:8–9 is not about salvation fr...