The Gospel According to Satan by Jared C. Wilson: a book review

I’m unsure where to start in writing this review. Do I start with the title, the author, or maybe a humorous story about how this book was the number one seller in Demonology and Satanism on Amazon? To be honest, when I first saw the title and subtitle of this book, I thought it was one I really didn’t need to read and should pass by. However, The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About God That Sound Like the Truth by Jared C. Wilson is a book you need to read whether these eight lies sound familiar or not.

Jared C. Wilson is the director of content strategy at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, managing editor of For the Church, and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City Missouri. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world and blogs regularly at The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of many books including Your Jesus is Too Safe, Gospel Wakefulness, The Imperfect Disciple, and Supernatural Power for Everyday People. He and his wife, Becky have two daughters, Macy and Grace.

I almost passed over this book because I’m familiar with the lies Wilson writes about and I know them to be lies that aren’t found in Scripture. However, Wilson has such a way of saying things and speaking to these lies, that this book truly is worth your time whether you’re familiar or not. I realize it is high praise to say that Jared C. Wilson is one of the best writers of our time, but I feel confident in making that assertion. If you read one of his books, I can confidently say that it won’t be your last.

In the book, Wilson addresses eight assertions that are common in Christianity, but actually aren’t biblical. He says, “he [Satan] creates his own ‘gospel’, a perversion of the real one” (pg. XVIII). He breaks down the anatomy of a lie: fulfillment, beauty, and enlightenment. He shows how Satan has been using this same tactic from the beginning of creation to the cross.

To my surprise, one chapter that made a big impact on me that I would have never expected to was the first one—Lie #1: God Just Wants You to Be Happy. In it, Wilson says, “So many of the disciples’ problems arise from confusing the worldview of Christianity with the worldview of materialism. And so many of our problems arise from also confusing these worldviews” (23-34). After reading this chapter, I believe this was a lie I was buying into without even realizing it.

Wilson writes in a way that causes the reader to think deeper about these lies. They may be familiar, but he may help you realize that you’ve bought in without even knowing you bought in. Wilson will constantly take the reader back to the true gospel. His writing overflows with gospel truth and reminds the reader over and over again that Christ is the only treasure worth putting our hope in.

Whether the title grabs you, you’ve read one of Wilson’s other books, or you just need to read something that will make Jesus bigger in your heart, you need to read The Gospel According to Satan. I didn’t think I needed to read this book, but now I think everyone should.

You can pick up your copy of The Gospel According to Satan on Amazon. (affiliate)

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.