Book Review - Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers

Another Gospel?, by Alisa Childers, is a timely book on apologetics that deals specifically with the progressivism that is worming its way into some evangelical churches. It is well reasoned, easy to read, and thoroughly researched (and footnoted!). Rating: If you need a refresher on sound Christian doctrine, read this book!

Another Gospel? documents Childers’ crisis of faith as she dealt with progressive false teaching at the local church she was attending, her subsequent research on the questions that were raised, and her resulting return to Christian orthodoxy. She systematically goes through many of the doctrinal creeds that are foundational to the historic Christian faith and the heretical challenges that are popular in many progressive “Christian” writings and media.

• What is essential Christian doctrine?

• Who is Jesus?

• Is Jesus fully God and fully human?

• Is the Bible accurate?

• Is the Bible inerrant?

• Is the Bible the inspired Word of God, and what does that mean?

• How was the Bible canonized?

• Have Christian foundational beliefs evolved over time?

• Are heaven and hell real?

The book looks at specific claims by progressives such as Bart Ehrman, Brian McLaren, John Pavlovich, Rob Bell, and Nadia Bolz-Weber, and assesses their arguments against the Bible, the original creeds, and the counter arguments by Biblical scholars that take a traditional Christian view. Childers does a nice job in reviewing both sides and, in each case, the progressive arguments simply don’t hold up.

False teachers have been a problem in the Church since the very beginning (1 Timothy, 2 Peter, etc.). According to prophecy, false teaching will only increase. To discern when we are exposed to heresies, we need to have a clear understanding of what we believe and why (1 Peter 3:15). It is important that we ask these questions and be able to answer them for ourselves.

Progressive “churches” and their influence are growing. By adopting the values of our culture; Critical Justice Theory, LGBTQ+ affirming, hedonism, open-mindedness, and acceptance; they present themselves as having the answer to what is broken in our world. Unfortunately, they have the wrong answers because they worship the wrong god – themselves.