Recovering the Gospel Series - A Review

A Review of Paul Washer's Recovering the Gospel Series

Recovering the Gospel - The First and Foremost Truth

The most important book in the lives of all Christians is the Bible. In the Bible, the truth of first and foremost importance is the gospel. If you’re looking for a resource to help you understand the glorious treasure of the gospel, outside of the Scriptures themselves, look no further than Paul Washer’s Recovering The Gospel series.

This series includes three separate books. Here’s a link to each individual title on Amazon:

I’ve read many books that attempt to describe the glory of the gospel in a paragraph. I’ve read others that relegate it to a chapter. Paul Washer has been a faithful preacher of the gospel for decades. His discussion of the gospel gives it the breadth and depth it deserves. Even still, Washer understands that he is only scratching the surface of this glorious truth.

Greatest Strengths

Full disclosure: Paul Washer is my favorite modern preacher to listen to. Those who know me know my great fondness for Washer’s ministry in my own life. This series of books is exactly what I would expect and hope for from a faithful preacher and teacher of the gospel. I must resist the urge to go overboard with strengths. Here are my top three.

1. Layout and Approach

Washer takes a massive topic and breaks it into very manageable sections. Each book is divided into two or three major parts. Each section contains several chapters that each contribute to the main section without being overly long.

I’ve read each book, in their entirety, more than once. I appreciate the short chapters. The depth of information and the glory of what is being discussed make it difficult for me to take more than a chapter or two in any one sitting. This is not a book to breeze through. It is a book to meditate on with your open Bible nearby.

2. Content

Although the layout and overall approach make the books enjoyable to read, the content pulls no punches. Washer dives into topics and aspects of the gospel that many preachers and teachers have either forgotten, never learned, or are unwilling to discuss openly.

This is the reason Washer wrote these books in the first place. Washer states in the preface of the series,

One of the greatest crimes committed by this present Christian generation is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth.

I believe that Washer’s assessment is correct. Our neglect of the gospel in our own day is a crime against our God and King.

I’ve met Christians who have been around the church a long time who are surprised (and sometimes even angered) by the content of Washer’s books. It is a tragedy that people can be associated with the church for years without ever hearing the full gospel presented in any meaningful way. Washer further states,

Untold millions walk our streets and sit in our pews unchanged by the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet they are convinced of their salvation because one time in their life they raised a hand at an evangelistic campaign or repeated a prayer. This false sense of security creates a great barrier that often insulates such individuals from ever hearing the true gospel.

I know this is true. I have met many of these insulated individuals while sharing the gospel on the streets. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to proclaim the true, biblical teaching about grace since it is so radically different than the common and popular perception. For more on this, check out some of our YouTube videos linked below.

This second strength in Washer’s series leads very naturally into the final one I'll mention in this review.

3. The Encouragement and Warning to Those Who Profess Christ

The Bible commands Christians to examine themselves to see if they are genuinely in the faith. The Bible does not provide the test of “church attendance.” It doesn’t teach that we should trust in however we choose to self-identify. Neither does the Bible tell us to point to a time in the past when you were baptized, raised your hand, or repeated a prayer with some sense of sincerity.

So, what does the Bible say? Washer’s final book gives both stark warnings and wonderful assurance. To those who claim to follow Christ but whose lives do not match their profession, warnings. To those who see the genuine fruit of salvation, assurance. Washer also provides some discussion of genuine biblical tests for true salvation.

For those who are born-again, these tests or checks are given by God to be a wonderful assurance of the salvation we have received in Christ. For those who are unregenerate these same tests can serve as a diagnostic and warning to repent while we still have breath. In either case, these biblical evaluations should not be resisted but embraced.

We who profess the name of Jesus can be sure that we are saved. There is tangible evidence that we can evaluate. We must never be so foolish to trust any other evidence other than what the Bible gives us. Washer’s third book is a great resource for the Christian who desires to soberly examine themselves in light of biblical standards and to walk in true, God-given assurance of their salvation in Christ.

Greatest Weaknesses

I find Washer’s three books to be wonderful resources. Worthwhile reads. However, if forced to discuss weaknesses I can come up with two.

1. Book Two, Part Three

Of all the parts of the series, I personally found the third section of The Gospel Call and True Conversion to be the weakest in general. If I had to lose an entire section, it would be this one. The first two parts of the second book I found to be more edifying and beneficial. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there was nothing edifying in this section.

This was a section where I found myself, at times, wondering if Washer was interpreting passages and explaining them correctly and accurately. There is a good chance that he is correct, and I am in error. However, the other sections were built off better exegetical reasoning and explanation, in my opinion. It seemed to me as I was reading it that he was simply asserting a position which I do not hold, and which was not strongly established in the context of the passages he was discussing.

Overall, it wasn’t an issue for me as I read through it. However, I don’t see it likely that I will spend much time in this section in the future.

2. The Assurances Section Was Not Exhaustive

Washer’s approach in the assurance section (Book 3, Part 1) is essentially a study of 1 John. This is an excellent place to start. However, this is not the only relevant biblical section to study. As a result, Washer makes an excellent presentation of the topic that is somewhat incomplete. If you view it as an introduction rather than an exhaustive study, you’ll be better off.

This is a real weakness. Even so, I must admit that the tests Washer covers from 1 John are fantastic. The weakness isn’t in what he did cover. It’s just that he didn’t cover everything. I would love to read Washer’s perspective and teaching on the remaining biblical tests that he omitted.

In fact, Washer doesn’t even include every test from 1 John, which is the book he is focused on. I would have liked to see this section expanded if a second edition is ever released.

A separate chapter could be added for, at least, these three passages outside of 1 John:

the evidence of God's discipline in your life (Hebrews 12:1-13)
the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13-14)
the presence of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24)

Despite these other tests being absent I believe Washer’s goal in writing was achieved. Anyone who claims to follow Christ could genuinely examine themselves with what Washer provides.

If you want my take on the biblical tests of salvation, check out our YouTube video linked below.

Concluding Thoughts

Paul Washer’s Recovering the Gospel series, especially the first (Power and Message) and third (Assurance and Warnings) books, come with my highest and unqualified recommendation. I not only encourage Christians to read this who haven’t already but would also encourage those who’ve read it before to read it again. And again. And even maybe again.

The material in these books is faithful to the Scriptures. The glorious truth of the gospel is no doubt neglected in our own day. Let us not neglect it ourselves. For the praise of His great name.

Get equipped. Obey your King. Glorify your God.