This book first caught my eye along with several others in a series on theology at the Minnesota Homeschool Conference, so I was excited  to see this book was in need of a review!

Rebels Rescued: A Student’s Guide to Reformed Theology is only 112 page long, but don’t be fooled by its size. This book  is packed with content that is in books much longer and more verbose. Author Brian Cosby contends that being a rebel at heart means that you do not have the ability to choose God or even to respond to God on your own, because you are spiritually dead; we all are.

In nine chapters, Cosby covers the basics of reformed theology which teaches that since we are more sinful than we could ever imagine, it can only be God who takes our sinful heart and replaces it with one that has both the ability and the desire to seek him and to follow him. By faith in Christ, you are no longer set to smash into sinful destruction. No, he promises to carry us in his grip of grace.

Rebels Rescued is a primer to reformed theology that targets the high school or advanced middle school reader. Brian Cosby is gifted in his ability to use illustrations and language that will speak to his audience, while clearly covering the points of reformed theology.  Here is an example of Cosby’s writing style:

 “Have you ever had a shopping cart with a broken wheel? You try to push it around and all it wants to do is run into the sides of the aisle. If you were to let the cart go, it would immediately turn and smash into that case of pickles up ahead!

Your heart is very similar. You are the shopping cart and your heart is the bad wheel. It’s always veering off, leading us away from what we were originally created to be. We were created for God’s love and glory, but instead, every one of us has a heart that deceitfully pulls us away from following Jesus and into something much worse than a case of pickles.”

In addition to his engaging writing style, he has thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter. These questions will help the student dig deeper as an individual or with their peers in a small group discussion.  This book could also be considered by Sunday school classes and as curriculum for the private or home school student.

Bottom Line: Rebels Rescued may be small in size, but it’s packed as a resource on reformed theology for older or advanced younger students and anyone who wants a concise overview. Cosby is a gifted writer who will draw you in with engaging illustrations and thought provoking questions to help you dig deeper in your faith.

*This is a guest blog book review by Vicki’s husband Mike Tiede.

**If you would like to read this book, leave a comment below. We have ONE giveaway copy. Your name will be entered in a drawing and we will notify you by email that you have won.

Brian H. Cosby is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  He serves as Pastor of Wayside Presbyterian Church on Signal Mountain, TN and teaches church history at Metro Atlanta Seminary

Ph.D (cand), Australian College of Theology D.Min., The North American Reformed Seminary M.Div., Beeson Divinity School B.A., Samford University