Rating: 
Summary: The Remedy to Modern Antinomianism
Review: "The Gospel According to Jesus" is a modern-day theological masterpiece. With piercing discernment, Spirit-led exegesis, and Christian love John MacArthur exposes the error of the "cheap grace" theology that plagues the church today. His analysis of Christ's words is the much-needed cure for the common misinterpretations of Paul which have led to antinomian teaching. This book is a response to those who "distort [Paul's letters], as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (1 Peter 3:16). The passion and understanding of this book far outmatch any other modern theological work you will come across. MacArthur adheres to the plain sense of the scripture and refuses to allow the words of Christ, apostle and prophet to be trampled underfoot by the anti-lordship teachers. His gentleness and kindness in dealing with those he argues against is admirable (Paul, Luther or Calvin would have verbally torn them apart). This book has been used by God to awaken many to the truth of Christ's undivided person--that He is both Savior and Lord. I pray He will use it even more in the years to come.
Rating:
Summary: The Remedy to Modern Antinomianism
Review: "The Gospel According to Jesus" is a modern-day theological masterpiece. With piercing discernment, Spirit-led exegesis, and Christian love John MacArthur exposes the error of the "cheap grace" theology that plagues the church today. His analysis of Christ's words is the much-needed cure for the common misinterpretations of Paul which have led to antinomian teaching. This book is a response to those who "distort [Paul's letters], as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (1 Peter 3:16). The passion and understanding of this book far outmatch any other modern theological work you will come across. MacArthur adheres to the plain sense of the scripture and refuses to allow the words of Christ, apostle and prophet to be trampled underfoot by the anti-lordship teachers. His gentleness and kindness in dealing with those he argues against is admirable (Paul, Luther or Calvin would have verbally torn them apart). This book has been used by God to awaken many to the truth of Christ's undivided person--that He is both Savior and Lord. I pray He will use it even more in the years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY close, but no cigar
Review: Dr. MacArthur's book is a breath of fresh air in the church today. As a Reformed Anglican, I have some dispute with his dispensationalism, and I do think that these views have fueled the entire controversy between him, Dr. Ryrie, and Dr. Hodges. Nonetheless, Dr. MacArthur himself sits squarely within Reformed theology regarding salvation. GATJ helps us to realize the importance of sanctification; but I am curious if anyone has heard of Dr. Mike Horton's book Christ the Lord. It points out that, while Dr. MacArthur had good intentions, he uses confusing language - for example, that obedience is PART of faith - the Reformers taught that it was a RESULT OF faith, and held the distinction to be important. To my friends who sympathize with Hodges, I too have a passion for the free grace of the Gospel. Its not about saying that you have to do works to go to heaven; it is saying that the faith that saves also transforms - justification declares us righteous through Christ, and sanctification MAKES us so! That is the glorious Gospel - through Christ I am saved AND make righteous!!! WOW! Get Dr. Horton's book and read it as along with Dr. MacArthur's! Together, they will make a deadly combination for those who propose salvation by the will of man, rather than by the sovereign will of God in saving, FREELY, whom HE will! soli deo gloria
Rating:
Summary: Life-Changing Read With Good Side Effects!
Review: I can say that in my reading, this is one of those books that has changed the way I view my faith and how I walk daily. No one who is truly a child of God can take Luke 9:23-26 in a light fashion and claim it is only a call do discipleship AFTER conversion. MacArthur does a skillful job of showing that the gospel preached by Jesus was not simply conversion, but discipleship. Not the easy-believism preached by Ryrie and Hodges, but picking up your cross, denying yourself and following Him daily. On a secondary note, MacArthur's book also serves as a good commentary on most of the parables of Jesus. I don't know if he intended it, but that's a side effect of his exegesis. So even if you're not looking for a good book on discipleship and what it means to follow Christ, this book comes in handy as a commentary on many of the hard sayings and complicated parables of Jesus. I highly recommend it. One other good thing is that this revised and expanded edition contains three new chapters, a Q&A section in the back as well as some well needed explanations that folks have been asking since the first edition of this book dropped. MacArthur's own very humble confession of having talked with Michael Horton and re-wording and clarifying some things shows that he is not only a good teacher, but a humble learner as well. God continue to bless you, John.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I find it unfortunate that so many well intentioned, sincere Christians honestly seem to believe that one can come to Christ to receive the "free gift" of salvation, and at the same time feel no obligation to change the course of one's life (an unfashionable thing called repentance) as a necessary result of that salvation. John MacArthurs book points out that true saving faith is NEVER isolated from an obedient,trusting lifestyle. MacArthur eloquently, and thoroughly explains that a faith that does not include a deliberate and willful decision to love God through obedience is an empty faith. MacArthur never ONCE suggests in this book, or any other, that one should attempt to earn salvation with one's "good" life. He does say that a belief system that doesn't correspond with your real, day to day life, really isn't a belief system at all. We all live out what we believe within. As James says, "Faith WITHOUT works is DEAD." MacArthur just reminds us that Jesus said it first, "Those who love me, KEEP my commandments." It's not about perfection, and it's not about earning browny points with your Creator. It's about tangibly demonstrating the relationship you say you have with God. I recommend this book for anyone wishing to have a deeper, clearer understanding of the gospel according to author Himself.
Rating: 
Summary: Stick to the theology
Review: In his most recent books, Dr MacArthur has stuck to the theology and subject being presented. However, when he wrote GATJ and his follow up book Faith that Works, Dr MacArthur took the time to include his criticism of the so-called proponents of "easy-believism." Like others, when doing this, he included straw arguments, misquotes, and misrepresentations though he footnoted every one well enough to check almost each statement, which saved me much time in research. I will be including Dr MacArthur's examples as well as a couple of others when I complete my research and book. (Summer 2005--WJB Publishing) In comparison, Hank Henegraph (Christian Research Institute) gives great examples of well written books and articles that are careful in argument and stay away from misrepresentation and misquotes.
Rating:
Summary: Cogent and highly convincing
Review: In this fascinating book, Dr. John MacArthur looks at the Gospel (literally the proclamation of redemption) proclaimed by Jesus in his earthly ministry, and compares it with the gospel preached by many modern Christian churches. Late in the twentieth century, many American churches began to embrace a message that taught that the mere intellectual assent to the idea of the deity of Christ was sufficient for salvation, while any sort of repentance and submission to Him as Lord was a mere work, unnecessary for and totally irrelevant to the Christian. Working through the various scriptural passages in which Jesus spelled out salvation, Dr. MacArthur shows that such "easy-believism" is contrary to the true Gospel, and leads far too many to a broad road that leads to damnation. Dr. MacArthur is a wonderful preacher and teacher, who is an expert at handling the Word. I found his arguments to be cogent and highly convincing, and like a bracing cup of hot chocolate on a winter's day. If you are interested in a Biblical look at Salvation, then you must get this book. I highly recommend this book to all Believers.
Rating:
Summary: This book shows why MacArthur is such a revered author
Review: John MacArthur, who is probably the USA's most dynamic expositor, is also a revered author and a book of this quality, that shows how people who really are Christians should lead their lives, is living proof as to why this is so - the very fact that this classic is still in print is living proof ot that. Buy this book, buy 10 copies for your friends and let it change your life in the way in which it has changed thousands over recent years. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (2003)
Rating:
Summary: Balanced and Illuminating
Review: Once upon a time, to be called a "Christian" meant that you were scorned, shunned by the world, and persecuted even to the point of death. Christians were known for the power of Christ evident in their lives, their love of G-d and their fellow humans, and their abandonment to Christ. These days to call yourself a "Christian" is fashionable. All you need is a fish bumper sticker, a new-fangled translation of the bible under your arm, and this amorphous confession that "Jesus is my Savior." Dr. MacArthur's work falls within the spirit of Jude who wrote that we must "earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints," and this book does just that. Missing is the mawkish sentimentality that all a person needs to do is to "accept Christ," as if He were some kind of begger petitioning for the sinner to allow Him into their lives. With love, scholarly erudition, much buttressing by the canon of scriptures, and with clarity, Dr. Mac discusses in masterful detail just what it means to be a "disciple of Jesus." The phrase "what would Jesus do" takes on a whole new meaning after reading this book. Prior reviewers criticism of this classic work reveal why a book like this needs to be written in the first place. I think one of the key things Dr. MacArthur does in this book is to straighten out just what "justification by faith" is and is not. Modern day religonists have confounded the scriptures by confusing the forensic application of righteousness and the practical work of righteousness done by the Holy Spirt after the believer has submitted to Christ. As Martin Luther said in his commentary of Galatians, there is a judicial reckoning of righteousness--this has to do with the "old man," and a practial, personal work of righteousness, which has to do with the "new man." This alone is worth the price of the book as Dr. MacArthur rightly divides the word of truth, separating law from true grace--which is much different than antinomian dis-grace. A must have for the new and seasoned believer alike. This book has had a profound influence on my walk with Jesus, dispelling a lot of misplaced beliefs I have held over the years.
Rating:
Summary: The best book ever written on saving faith
Review: The Gospel According to Jesus is a must read for every Christian. John MacArthur, in his usual easy to read and clear way, hits the central tenet of Christianity, how does an individual inherit eternal life? Many folks, including pastors and other church leaders, believe surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord is optional for saving faith. They claim all that is necessary is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and if, later in your life you submit to His Lordship, so much the better. MacArthur, using the words of Christ Himself, shows there is no salvation without a willingness to follow Jesus as Lord. The message of this book is timeless, since it is supported with a plethora of scripture references. I heartily recommend the book to any Christian desiring to communicate the Gospel accurately. This book, along with a companion volume entitled Faith Works (The Gospel According to the Apostles), are indispensible tools in the Lord's work.
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