Book Review: Now That I Am A Christian by C. Michael Patton

As a minister of the gospel, I have the joy of seeing people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. What I love as a youth pastor to see students come to faith in Jesus after being led by someone within the church other than myself. One of my struggle in the past has been to find what books/materials to give these new Christians to assist them in their new life with Jesus. Some materials that have been produced usually give verses to memorize, which there is not a bad thing, and questions to answer with no application.

Crossway has published a book that is dedicated to help new believers as they start their journey in following Jesus, Now That I Am A Christian written by C. Michael Patton, president of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. This book simply aids a new believer in what he/she needs to know about the Christian faith and how to live it. The book is laid out in two parts, orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Orthodoxy simply means "to straighten your doctrine" while orthopraxy refers to "right practice."

The first half, orthodoxy, deals with introductory teachings on the Bible, man, God, Christ, and faith. Each chapter is gives sound teaching but not as one would read a theological book. Orthopraxy deals with five practices that "all Christians of all time have agreed about" which are prayer, study, church, suffering, and mission. I commend Patton on teaching new believers on the importance of the church of the believer especially going over what is the church. I also commend him for teaching on suffering. To be honest, I have never seen any "new Christian" material that teach on suffering. Christians are caught by surprised from suffering is a result of bad teaching from people who discipled them. Sadly, some Christians hear learn about suffering either later in their walk with Jesus or as they experience it first hand.

After reading this book, I rejoiced knowing there is now a simple new believer's guide to give a brother/sister in Christ as they begin their journey. The book is solid yet simple. This would be a great book for one maturing believer to lead a small group of new believers or just one-on-one discipleship.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.