What's The Real Issue

                                                                                                                                 BOOK REVIEW
                                                                                                                        by Dr. Mark Anderson

     Ken Pittz writes a clear and concise discription of the human condition today. He confronts the traditional view that man is basically good. He challenges the status quo with the realities as desribed in the Bible. Man is a sinner from birth, and we all need help. The reader is given the straight forward truth as presented by God's Word. Ken confronts the reader with the biblical description of original sin, we are all born with a sin nature because of Adam's sin. The second uncomfortable truth, is we have all sinned in our conduct. No man is exempt from this condition, and we are all guilty before a Holy and Just God. 
     Ken goes on to clarify sin as it relates to Almighty God. He classifies sin as not only falling short of a standard, he gives a fair biblical standard of a person in a state of lawlessness. There is nothing good in the human condition. We are all in the state of complete separation from God. This condition extends to the very heart of man's nature. This sin condition permeates in our greater culture. People live in sin without conscience. Ken explains  the sin problem one step futher. Man is privy to the truth at a deeper level, man often knows what is right and wrong, yet we choose the wrong. Ken does a good job of tying man's sin problem to biblical theology. The Bible is the final arbiter of truth. not man or culture.
     The question of punishment and judgement for our sins is a bit unclear. Ken uses 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 to illustrate the idea of eternal destruction from God's presence. This passage however only deals with eternal seperation without a clear description of what that separation looks like. Ken holds to the position of eternal conscious suffering in hell, the position most often supported by church traditon. Isaih 66:24 which states the 'fire not be quenched' could have been used to emphasize the idea of eternal suffering. The concept of hell and suffering are clearly presented as a challenge to the reader to consider their relationship with God.
     In chapter 3,page 58, Ken brings up the status of what happens to infants who die in infancy. They are born sinners, just as the rest of mankind. What will be their state in eternity? He states the Bible has no direct response to this question, however there are some indirect references that may indeed have a future. 2 Samuel 12:23 gives us a little piece of information that may shed light on the question. Concerning his dead child, David states "I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." The implication is that in death David will again be with his child. Though some commentaries disagree this was implied, it does leave the question for discussion.
     The reality of God's promise of redemption is affirmed by Christ's resurrection from his death on the cross. Many other examples of Christ's deity are also illustrated through many of the miracles attested to Him through the biblical narritive. Ken does a good job establishing the death, burial, and physical ressurection of Jesus from the grave.
     Through the final chapters, the gospel is clearly presented. The nature of Christ is established as the Creator and One with the Father. The Trinitarian aspect of God is affirmed following the orthodoxy of the Christian Church. Christ is presented as God incarnate who came in the form of human flesh to identify with, and make a substitutionary atonement for man in his sin condition. As a sinless man, Jesus satisfied God's standard of a perfect life. While as God, He was able to vicariously identify with sinful man to be punished in our place. Ken clearly communicates Jesus as our only hope for a right relationship with God.
     The final aspect of Man's condition is his response to the message of redemption. Just hearing the message is not sufficient; we must give a response. He clairfies the biblical account through  4 steps. Man must hear the truth (the gospel message), he must accept the message (act of faith), and he must be willing to repent (turn from his sinful ways). Ken closes his work by giving a final challenge:  Examine yourselves. If you accept the gospel message you should see changes in your life. Don't asssume anything in regard to the christian message; make your salvation sure. This work is a fine presentation of God's redeeming work through the scriptures. He clearly lays out the issue, and challenge the reader to examine themselves. I would recommend this work for anyone wanting a solid understanding of man's condition before God and how to be a more effective evangelist.
Sincerly,
Dr. Mark Anderson

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