Anthony Burgess
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| Front cover |
Denham is used to travelling for his job, but he takes some time off and visits his father. He meets the locals in the pub. On his travels back from one trip he meets Mr. Raj, who seems innocent enough, if a little intense. How could anyone foretell the events that are to follow?
Copyright date is 1960, and it's quite apparent in the way race is talked about. Everyone is very much on edge when interacting with coloured people, and immigrants are people to be feared. It's quite strange to read.
The ending is a bit surprising! I had a feeling something wasn't right with Mr. Raj, so although I didn't expect it, I wasn't utterly gobsmacked either. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but it was a nice twist!
A nice short book that doesn't require much thought.
Overall rating
Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist
IS THE GOSPEL DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteThe gospel plan salvation is not difficult to understand if you simply read it as God inspired it. Just read the Bible and believe it.
The Scriptures only get hard to comprehend when men distort, pervert, and misrepresent the clear teachings of the Bible. Man's opinion can and does make if difficult for many to understand God's plan of salvation.
IT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT!
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
1. Who believes will be saved.
2. Who is baptized will be saved.
3. Who does not believe will be condemned.
It is not difficult to understand.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."
1. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God you will die in your sins.
There is nothing complicated about that statement.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1. Repent in order to have your sins forgiven.
2. Be baptized in order to have your sins forgiven.
3. After repentance and baptism you will receive the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit Himself.
There is nothing unfathomable presented here.
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1. You must acknowledge Jesus as Lord to be saved.
2. You must believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead to be saved.
Nothing mysterious about that.
Galatians 3:26 You are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
1. Through faith in Christ Jesus you can become a son of God.
Nothing troublesome in that statement.
Galatians 3:27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
1. Men become clothed with Christ by being baptized into Him.
There is nothing confusing about that.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from from yourselves, it is a gift of God.
1. We are saved because of God's grace. No man earns his salvation.
2. We are saved through faith.
3. The gift that God gives is salvation.
There is nothing enigmatic found here.
Acts 2:47 .....And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
1. The Lord and only the Lord adds to His church.
Nothing inexplicable in that.
Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
1. Saul was still in his sins until he was baptized in water.
You do not need a degree in theology to understand that.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
1. Whoever believes in Jesus can have eternal life. Salvation is available to all who hear the gospel.
There is nothing difficult about that.
1 Peter 3:20-21...were saved through water. 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also---not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1. Water baptism is essential to salvation.
2. Water baptism saves you if you have good conscience toward God.
3. Without the resurrection of Jesus no one could be saved.
You do not need a masters in education to understand that verse of Scripture.
Is the gospel difficult to understand? No it is not. The gospel plan of salvation is only made complicated when presented using man-made traditions.
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
1. FAITH: John 3:16
2. REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
3. CONFESSION: Romans 10:9
4. WATER BAPTISM: Mark 16:16
JUST READ THE BIBLE AND BELIEVE IT.
(Scripture from: THE THOMPSON CHAIN-REFERENCE BIBLE "NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION 1983)
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