Dr. Michael Horton Christless Christianity Book

Book Review Christless Christianity by Michael Horton Professor at Westminister Seminary

Michael Horton

Christians have always had their differences, but never in church history have there been so many statistics indicating that many Christians today are practicing what can only be described as "Christless Christianity."

Christless Christianity guides the reader to a greater understanding of a big problem within the American religious setting, namely the creeping fog of countless sermons in churches across the country that focus on moralistic concerns and personal transformation rather than the theology of the cross.

Michael Hortons analysis of the contemporary church points believers back to the power of a gospel that should never be assumed.
The title of this book is alarming, certainly by design. But the subtitle is even more so. Does it mean that the whole American church (all traditions, denominations, locations) is committed to an alternative Gospel?” Or is it that, though part of the American church upholds the true, biblical gospel, there is within that church a movement (evidently a significant movement) to the contrary? We should keep in mind that such language makes the most serious indictments. To be Christless is to be doomed to Hell (John 3:36). And if someone preaches an alternative gospel, contrary to the gospel preached by the apostle Paul, he is to be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9). People who preach another gospel; are not Christian friends who happen to disagree with us on this or that matter. Rather, they have betrayed Christ himself. The whole church ought to rise up against such persons and declare that they are not part of the body of Christ and that they have no part in the blessings of salvation. Indeed, if they do not repent, they have no future except eternal punishment.

One one perspective, Hortons vast criticism of the Christian right, is very ungodly, liberal, and certainly Christ less.

In my view, many Christians (especially those in the conservative Reformed tradition that Horton and I both inhabit) use this sort of language far too loosely, even flippantly. It is time we learned that when we criticize someone for preaching;another gospel; we are doing nothing less than cursing him, damning him to Hell. What?? But Horton actually indicates to his readers that his title is not to be taken seriously. He backs away from its serious language.

Michael Horton
Michael Horton Westminster Seminary

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