Saturday, January 4, 2014

Book Review: Matthew M. Barrett - What Is Regeneration

I have had the privilege to read a number of books or booklets in the "Basics of the Faith" series. They have all been a great blessing and this one is no exception.

This is also the second book I have read by Barrett and I am very impressed. His writing is excellent and I will read him again in the future.

In this small book, he takes the subject of his larger volume, "Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration" and condenses it into 40 pages. Focusing on regeneration, he gives us a very understandable overview of the subject. Using scripture to back up each statement, Barrett shows us that God is the one who makes us alive. We can not birth ourselves. We are born not of the will of man, but of God himself.

He shows us the difference in the “gospel call” and the “effectual call”. The “gospel call” is the outward call while the “effectual call” is the moving of God upon the heart. We see what it really means to be "born again" and how God gives us a new heart. We also see how God opens the heart to see the things of God. Because we are born blind and in sin, God gives us light to understand and the new heart to accept it.

Even though this book is very small, it was a great read. I think this would be a great resource for those who are new in the faith and would like a short and readable explanation of what God worked in their hearts to bring them to Himself. It would also be a great introduction to regeneration for those who feel that the 429 page, "Salvation by Grace", is a little long.


I loved this book and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book, free of charge, from P & R Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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