The Unadorned Gospel, A Slow but Certain Journey to Assure Salvation in Christ

Part One: Salvation

I came to be a Christian in 1979, in accordance with the Billy Graham method of salvation - I
responded to an altar call, said the sinner’s prayer, got baptized, and joined a church. I was 23
years old, married, with two small children. Life at that time was an intense struggle. I was
smart but lazy, with a mind clouded by unhealthy substances (readily available in Gainesville,
Florida where I'd gone to college). But salvation in Christ changed everything. Soon after
getting saved, I joined the United States Army and did well. I was promoted from Private to
Specialist, then to Lieutenant and eventually to the rank of Major. I continued throughout my
Army years to stay involved in church activities. I taught Sunday School. I had a morning quiet
time, reading the Bible and praying daily. I listened to all the Christian teachers of the day such
as Chuck Swindoll and Dr. Dobson. I read Christian authors such as Charles Colson and C.S.
Lewis. I devoured the available Christian novels by Bodie Thoene, Frank Peretti, and more. I
listened to Christian music only, artists such as Keith Green, Twila Paris, and Rich Mullins. I
tried to do everything that I was supposed to. I left the Army after the Cold War ended and
started my own successful contracting business. But something went wrong.

Part Two: The Deep, Black Pit

In 2002 my business took me to Seattle where I had a contract with Albertsons grocery stores.
The work could only be done at night and I didn’t see sun shine for at least three months, (or so it
seemed.) The time in Seattle was the low point of my life. Everything unraveled. My daughters
had grown and gone. I had serious marital difficulties. Everything I had been told about
Christianity seemed a farce. Nothing had turned out as expected. I was 45 years old, and stuck
in a deep, black pit.. My whole life seemed a waste. The blackness enveloped me for months
on end.

I’ve known other people who encountered that darkness. They fall into the pit, and many never
get out. I thought I was stuck for all eternity. But one day, I began to read the Bible again. I
decided to start over, tossing out everything I had been taught by the pastors, teachers, books,
and tapes. I began to look at what the Bible says, and the Bible alone. My life was over
anyway. What harm could be done? Why not throw out everything I'd been taught and start
fresh?

Part Three: Emerging from the Pit

I started my new life studying the life of David in the books of Samuel and Kings. That soon led
to the “greater David”, the Lord Jesus Christ. And soon I "discovered" the Apostle Paul’s letter
to the Romans. As I sank deep into the Apostles words in Romans, my outlook and mood
slowly lifted. I began to see Christianity in a new light, the Apostle Paul’s light.

The Apostle Paul is the only one you can trust to tell the truth about life and Christianity. (Of
course you can trust Matthew, Mark, Peter, John, Isaiah, etc. But you can’t trust many or most of
today's teachers and preachers.) With a few exceptions (such as John MacArthur) today's
preachers and teachers are going to slant their teachings so that you don’t get the real picture of
reality and truth (see the "George Strait" button on this website). You have to look at the Apostle
Paul's words on your own. You can’t let others do the work for you. Paul is the Apostle to the
Gentiles (unless you are Jewish, that means you!). He's the man God gave to tell us about
Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul speaks the gospel truth without sugar coating or dilution. Paul's Truth is
unembellished, undiluted, and unadorned. It’s what we need. At this point in our lives, we don’t
need a spoon full of sugar to help the truth go down. We need the unadorned truth straight from
the great Apostle’s mouth. We need the unadorned gospel.

Welcome!! (The Unadorned Gospel will be published in book
form probably around the end of 2008! So keep checking
here at this website for the publishing date and ordering info.)

      The Unadorned Gospel is written for you for three reasons.

      1. To help you back on track with God and eternity.
      2. For a fresh start with Christ and Christianity.
      3. For a more solid and sure foundation for your Christian life.

      It’s also great for two or more people to read and discuss
because:

      1. The Unadorned Gospel follows the Apostle Paul through the
first 3 chapters of Romans.
      2. Romans is, according to Martin Luther, “truly the most
important piece in the New Testament.”
      3. The Unadorned Gospel gives you plenty to think about, and
doesn’t hesitate to take a controversial stand, as long as it
conforms to Paul, Romans, and the Bible.

If you’re looking for a quick overview of salvation, or a short gospel
presentation, this is not the book for you! But if you’re at the point
where you understand the important things of life take time, The
Unadorned Gospel is your place to begin.