Todd A. Wilson - Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith

PRAISE FOR REAL CHRISTIAN

As Todd explains, real is something you can see. If a holy God has brought us from darkness to light, it will manifest in unmistakable ways in our hearts. In an age of externally focused how-to books on spirituality, this book goes right to the heart of true Christianity. Im excited to recommend this well-written, biblical, and gospel-driven book to new and experienced Christians seeking not only to recognize the evidences of the new birth within them but also to understand what separates the Christian gospel from every other message in the world.

J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church and author of Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart

Taking his cues from Jonathan Edwardss Religious Affections and remaining rigorously biblical on every point, Todd Wilson has given us a powerful (and at times painful) antidote to inauthentic Christianity. Many who think they are Christians will not recognize themselves in this book (and will, I hope, be brought to repentance), while those who actually are will be challenged to an even more passionate pursuit of that holiness apart from which no one will see God. Highly recommended!

Sam Storms, pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City

What do you find on apple trees? Apples. What do you find on orange trees? Oranges. So what do you find on Christians? Christians bear fruit too. And our assurance of salvation is this Jesus said, You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). Jesus also said, The one who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). These are the marks of a real Christian. Todd Wilson gets it right in this great resource. Hes the real deal, and so is this book.

James MacDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, author of Vertical Church, and founder of Act Like Men conferences; jamesmacdonald.org

This is a book about reality real Christians who have been delivered out of darkness into the divine light that is Jesus Christ. The marks of a Christian profiled in this book are a call to discipleship. They are also a call to transformation piercing, enduring, and leading at the end of the day to joy, real joy. A great primer on the spiritual life.

Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture

I loved this book! I was alternately encouraged and challenged as Todd Wilson guided me through the key marks of real Christianity as revealed in our lives. His careful teaching about humility stands out for how it clarifies our mistaken notions. Now Im praying that God will give me the opportunity to walk through this delightfully biblical and compelling book with a new Christian or with someone considering the claims of Jesus.

Collin Hansen, editorial director of The Gospel Coalition and coauthor of A God-Sized Vision

Todd Wilson is a genuine pastor-scholar. With a heart for people and a mind for God and a mind for people and a heart for God Wilson unleashes a challenging message for a church drunk on safety and security. Real Christian is a gem. Written with sparkling clarity and rich conviction, this book will burn off the blinding fog of spirituality that hinders genuine faith. The American church desperately needs this book!

Preston M. Sprinkle, PhD, director of Eternity Bible Colleges Boise extension site and author of Fight and Paul and Judaism Revisited

Todd Wilsons Real Christian is exactly the book we need at this moment. It shows us that real faith in Christ truly changes us. It isnt enough to say youre real; real Christianity has effects in our lives that are visible, and Todd shows what those are. What we see is radically biblical, and yet not what we often think which is exactly why this book is so important. Todd writes with a humility and clarity that is convicting and yet hopeful. Instead of throwing us back on ourselves, he points us to Christ in a way that few books today do. This book can help the church recover its authentic witness. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Matt Perman, author of Whats Best Next: How the GospelTransforms the Way You Get Things Done

Todd Wilsons new book shows that real Christian discipleship is about deliberately cultivating Christlikeness. He shows what it is that separates followers from fans. Wilson encourages readers to leave behind a mediocre faith and shows them how to get serious about following Jesus. A great guide on how to grow into Christian virtue, foster spiritual fruitfulness, and gain godly character.

Michael F. Bird (PhD, University of Queensland), lecturer in theology at Ridley Melbourne Mission and Ministry College in Australia

Jonathan Edwards spent his life impressing real, spiritual truths on the hearts and minds of others, helping them sense the reality of things revealed in the Bible. Here, Todd Wilson renders these things real to the rest of us. Using Edwardss best-known book, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, Wilson shows us what it means to be a genuine child of God. In crisp, clear, compelling prose, he helps us see what God has done for us in Jesus and the cross, and what he is able to do in people he transforms by his Spirit and suffuses with his love. Please take this book and read it. God wants to make you real.

Douglas A. Sweeney, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Professing faith doesnt always equate to possessing faith. According to Todd Wilson, you can fake being a Christian by merely learning doctrine or modifying your behavior, but a real Christian is someone with a transformed heart who produces the marks of authentic faith humility, meekness, contrition, wholeness, hunger, and perfected love. Grounded in Scripture and guided by heroes of the faith, Wilson offers a prophetic call to a world longing for authenticity but peddling with superficiality.

Jeremy Treat, pastor at Reality LA in Hollywood, adjunct professor at Biola University, and author of The Crucified King

Read this book. Soak in it. Savor each word like you would each bite of a fine meal. Real Christian is strong, convicting, and inspiring. Its unvarnished but filled with light. Its powerful yet approachable. After every chapter I wanted more. More of Christ. More of what I need for my journey with Christ. More of the power that should accompany an authentic walk with Christ. More of being marked by the signs of following Jesus. Its practical without being just another how-to book. Its profound and fresh at the same time. Yes a thousand times, yes.

Dan Wolgemuth, president and CEO of Youth for Christ/USA

Real Christian is a journey down the ancient paths... where the good way is. But this isnt a been there, done that sort of read! Todd Wilsons lively style and challenging applications helped me see both Gods truth and my own heart in fresh and redemptive ways. The chapter on meekness is alone worth the price of the book, making these pages ones worth traveling more than once!

Randall J. Gruendyke, campus pastor at Taylor University

True conversion is an act of grace, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Period. But true conversion has necessary evidences that accompany it. Justification by faith alone is a reality that can be seen and experienced, and naming this reality serves to make much of this cardinal doctrine. Todd Wilson has captured the beauty of gospel transformation in this practical work by uncovering the nature and evidences of real Christianity one that gifts us with actual godliness.