Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Seminary
    • Seminary Info
    • GES Seminary Curriculum
    • GES Seminary Faculty
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Journal Articles
→
Book Reviews
→
God in 60 Seconds: One-Minute Answers to Faith Questions

God in 60 Seconds: One-Minute Answers to Faith Questions

Posted in Book Reviews

God in 60 Seconds: One-Minute Answers to Faith Questions. By John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2010. 138 pp. Paper, $6.99.

In the increasing spiritual vacuum which is 21st-century America, attempts to communicate truth to those caught up in the busy-ness of modern society are popular. John Ankerberg, host of the well-known television talk show bearing his name, and Dillon Burroughs, a staff writer for the show, have collaborated on a handy source of information for seekers or immature believers.

Using a question-answer format throughout, the authors respond to issues in seven different areas: God and Creation, Jesus, the Bible, Salvation and Spiritual Growth, the Afterlife, Other Religions, and Contemporary Issues. The book ends with two added chapterettes, entitled How to Begin a Personal Relationship with God, and Praying for Those Who Do Not Believe.

Generally speaking, the answers throughout are biblically-focused, and reflect conservative theological positions. The authors often point readers to the Bible, encouraging reading and studying of it. Their answers to questions like “If God, why evil?” and “Why does the resurrection matter?”, however, will leave any astute reader unsatisfied.

Of particular interest to lovers of grace was the discussion of Salvation and Spiritual Growth. Here more emphasis on eternal life, and believing, would have been a major improvement. Like so much evangelistic discussion today, the focus is on this life, instead of the next! Happily, the authors responded to the question “What should I do about my doubts?” by calling readers to “look to God and the promises and information in his Word” (64). Sadly, in the added chapter on how to begin a relationship with God, the authors garbled the gospel badly, beginning with a call to believe, then a call to “accept God’s free gift” (as if this is a separate step to believing), then “Commit to following God’s plan for your life,” and finally “Determine to make Jesus Christ the ultimate Leader and final authority of your life” (131-32). While none of this is something we don’t want a person to do, it is damaging to a clear gospel presentation to clutter the simple call to “believe” with other issues.

This book is not sufficiently in-depth to aid a new believer to mature in the faith. However, for a person who is totally uninformed on Christianity and spiritual issues, this book may provide some answers which will point them in the right direction.

Philip F. Congdon
Pastor
New Braunfels Bible Church
New Braunfels, TX

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
author_congdon

by Phil Congdon

Phil Congdon is Senior Pastor at New Braunfels (TX) Bible Church.

Recently Added

June 19, 2025

Our Freedom Is Easy 

An iconic photo taken during the Civil War shows a black man who has come to be known as “Whipped Peter” (his name was originally...
June 19, 2025

Is Discipleship an All or Nothing Deal? Are There Degrees of Discipleship?

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Kathryn Wright are answering a question discipleship. Did Jesus present discipleship as an all...
June 18, 2025

When and How Will We Judge Angels?

Do you not know that we shall judge angels? – 1 Corinthians 6:3 Paul gives no explanation. Nor does any other text in the Bible...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Listen on YouTube

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram