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The evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at their own lives and diagnose where they aren't living authentically for God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of a real Christian-love.
To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality, Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit.
List of contents
Introduction: Who is Real? Part I: Authenticity Without Arrogance Chapter 1: Get Real, or Die! Chapter 2: Christians Without Chests Chapter 3: Good Cop, Bad Cop: Get Real Without Getting Nasty Part II: Real Christianity Chapter 4: Brokenhearted Joy: The Mark of Humility Chapter 5: A Lamblike Disposition: The Mark of Meekness Chapter 6: Gospel Emotion: The Mark of Contrition Chapter 7: Single-Issue Christians?: The Mark of Balance Chapter 8: Sanctified Discontent: The Mark of Hunger Chapter 9: Perfect Love: The Mark of Marks Chapter 10: Perseverance is Proof Conclusion: This Magic Called Real
About the author
Todd A. Wilson (PhD, University of Cambridge) is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois and the chairman and co-founder of the Center for Pastor Theologians, a ministry dedicated to resourcing pastors engaged in biblical and theological scholarship. He is the author of Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living and Pastors in the Classics. Todd is married to Katie, his high school sweetheart, and they have seven children, three biological and four adopted from Ethiopia.
Summary
The evangelical church houses many who call themselves Christians but do not know what they believe or follow the teachings of Jesus. Todd Wilson's Real Christian biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to reflect on how the gospel brings change and transformation to our character, deeply affecting the way we live.
