Paul Luckraft reviews the second instalment in Steve Maltz's trilogy on the Western Church.

This is a natural follow-up to Maltz's previous book, How the Church Lost The Way. One consequence of having lost The Way is that certain truths have not fared well on this erroneous journey and have inevitably got lost themselves.

The main part of the book forms an analysis of five key battlegrounds where the truth has faced enemy attack: creation, Israel, salvation, hell and the end times. But before we can engage in these battles, the author asserts that it is necessary to examine the Bible as the ground of our truth, and then embark on a tour of Christian history to discover how things have gone wrong, who the enemies are, and what weapons they have.

Setting the Scene

Part One provides an argument (for those who need it!) of the value of the Bible, especially the Old Testament and Torah. For those who don't need such convincing it can be skipped or skimmed quickly.

Part Two contains four chapters on the usual evaluation of Greek thinking on Church history. In many ways this is similar to Maltz's first book, but it is actually a very worthwhile read in itself, with some helpful extra information especially in areas not always covered in such detail (eg the Medieval period). Maltz shows how philosophical analysis and Greek rationalism won the day over Hebraic faith, and highlights the outcome of mixing up Holy Scripture with Aristotle. There is also a very good summary of Aquinas and his influence.

The main part of the book analyses five key battlegrounds where the truth has faced enemy attack: creation, Israel, salvation, hell and the end times.

Christianity had become "a philosophical system, fuelled by rational argument rather than the supernatural acts of God" (p77). Early on in Church history a genie had been unleashed from the bottle which not even the later Reformers could put back. The Reformation was also stunted by Greek influence and continued the rejection of Hebraic roots. The later trends of higher criticism and liberal theology were also based on Greek methods and the slide from truth continued.

The author apologises that these chapters may seem a chore but argues they are necessary to "set a context, a framework for us to be able to see where the Church went off the rails" (p100). He needn't have worried. Far from being irksome, this section is a delight to read, both satisfying and inspiring as he brings out of the storehouse treasures both old and new. Here is excellent knowledge and analysis - it would be difficult to find a better overview.

To ease his own worries, Maltz provides a separate summary chapter (just three pages) of the previous four chapters, in case you found them tough or want to skip them to get to the main action quickly. A useful idea perhaps, but don't feel the need to take this option!

Five Key Battlegrounds

Part Three shows how to fight back against the errors and bad influences, starting with the creation/evolution debate. He points out that evolution has become the most reasonable explanation for many, whereas creationism is to be ridiculed and denigrated. Here is the dilemma: we want to believe one thing but 'reason' might divert us away. This illustrates the challenge we face.

Regarding Israel, the dilemma is between chosen forever, or rejected and replaced. Maltz provides the usual information on this theme, then throws down the challenge: God has made his choice, what is ours? Do we agree or decide that our attitude can be different?

The issue of salvation has also been subjected to analytical thinking which rejects the exclusive claims of Jesus. Is he The Way or just one of many?

Maltz calls hell that 'horrible doctrine', one we naturally want to ignore or tone down. However, it stubbornly remains "the festering corpse of the elephant in the room of the Christian faith" (p160). He surveys various opinions from Jesus onwards, showing how Greek thinking has reduced its impact or eliminated it in favour of a sentimental view.

New ideas such as limbo or annihilationism aim to reduce our embarrassment or move us away from an ancient imagery that suggests cruelty or indifference. Maltz describes how he tried to find out what the various denominations believe these days and how difficult that task proved to be. It seems hell is no longer appropriate!

For each of the battlegrounds Maltz outlines, he unpacks the dilemmas modern Christians face and how we should fight back against error.

As for the end times, a literal millennium is now seen as too Jewish (Messianic) or too unbelievable. The dominant ('reasonable') view is to deny it as a real period to come. The negative Greek prefix 'a' provides a much better alternative – amillennialism! A simple verbal change, but with such profound consequences. Maltz does an excellent job sorting out what people have said on this topic over the centuries and why they have said it. Once again, a Hebraic approach will restore the truth of what God will one day do.

Fighting the 'War on Error'

The final section is a good review of the 'war on error' and what has happened over time to the truth.

Maltz accepts we may disagree with him in places - he makes no claim to have a monopoly on truth - but he has done his homework. In the end he simply wants us to ask ourselves from where our ideas and beliefs stem and how much of our current thinking is really grounded on faith.

'How the Church Lost The Truth' (2010, 206 pages, paperback, Saffron Planet) is the second book in a trilogy by Steve Maltz on the state of the Western Church (tune in next week for our review of his final instalment). It is available from Saffron Planet Publishing for £10 .

'Simply Good News: Why the Gospel is News and What Makes it Good', by NT Wright (SPCK, 2015, 144 pages, available from SPCK for £9.99)

This is an excellent title for an excellent book. Tom Wright's lucid explanation of the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ is well worth reading. Although there are depths of research and background behind the chapters, and quotations from eminent writers of the past, it is his own personal stories and memories as well as the illustrations he gives which enliven the writing.

The author explains why the gospel is 'news' and what makes it good. As such it should have an impact that will significantly change lives. Here is "something that has happened, because of which everything will now be different." (p3). He argues against the way that in some churches the gospel has become merely advice on how to be saved and go to heaven. In reality the Gospel is part of a longer story and larger context. It did not simply appear out of the blue. And only by knowing this back story can we understand why this announcement is very much good news.

The Gospel is not simply a ticket to heaven- it's part of a much longer, larger story. This story teaches us why it is very much Good News!"

The book takes us through the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul and the way that, as he preached the Good News to them, people believed and "power and wisdom" became real for them; Jesus became alive and present with them. As he worked through the scriptures he demonstrated how they all pointed to "King Jesus", and his power was different – it was love. There are excellent chapters on the death and resurrection of Jesus with clear explanations for anyone with unanswered questions.

Some chapters deal with the attitudes of well-known teachers, scientists, writers and leaders over the last few centuries and the effect they have had on people because of the new ideas they have put forward. Despite all of this, the real and lasting truth remains because "He is the God of the Good News".

There are powerful and thought-provoking chapters on heaven and the new earth, the love and justice of God (and what he's really like), plus a very encouraging last chapter with helpful hints on "Praying the Good News".

This is a book to be recommended for understanding, learning and growing in the Christian faith."