ONE OF THE FEW by Jason B. Ladd

Jason B. Ladd is a Marine who grew up in a military family. He spent many years as an agnostic/atheist. Now he's a followers of Jesus and specializes in apologetics. His book, ONE OF THE FEW, is part memoir and part apologetics. Ladd starts out his book with a Foreword. The Prologue gives readers the favor of this book and sets the tone for the book. Part One gives the account of Ladd's post. He includes the first eleven chapters in this segment. Ladd continues with Part Two. He continus this section with chapters 12 to 20. Ladd finshes with Part Three. Part Three includes chapters 21 to 27. Each chapter begins with quotes. Each chapter ends with notes. Ladd follows his claters with an Epilogue. He includes Acknowledgements of those who made his book possible. He includes an extended Bibliography and wraps it all up with an Index.

This book isn't light reading. It wasn't meant to be. As I read it online, I had to mark down chapters and secitions as I read them. This book is fairly fast reading. It was what I expected: deep, intellectual, and military. I didn't count on his use of his military experiences as metaphors for what our walks with Christ ought to be. But as the Bible makes it clear that following Jesus is a battleground, I wasn't too surprised. Our foes to battle are sin (our sin natures), the world (the world system and its values), and the devil (he is personal and real). Ladd's theology is, in most aspects, sound. In this book, he stresses God's holiness AND love, His grace AND His justice, His goodness AND His severity. I did take offense at one argument he made concerning the unreached peoples in this world, outside the West (for the most part). Ladd advanced the argument that God knew, ahead of time, who would accept the Gospel and who wouldn't. He asserts that these peoples have never heard the Gospel because God knew that they would reject it. This is how I read what he wrote. He himself wrote that his comment would sound cold and callous. More than that, it condradicts God's expressed desire that none perish but that all come to the knowledge of the truth. I know that the question of "those who have never heard" is a tough argument and that Ladd is trying to address it. For the most part, his theology is sound. It did seem to me that he could have made some of the good points he did, with fewer words. His stats on porn in the Church are sobering but I wasn't surprised. I already have researched this topic. This book is very informative.

I recommend this book for all pastors. The porn stats alone are worth their reading this book. This book is for anyone with an interest in apologetics as Ladd writies this book as an apologist for the Gospel. This book is especially well-suited for military people and their families. Veterans and those who want to get into the military, would also benefit much from this book. It speaks in their language, interest and experience. Atheists and agnostics would do well to read this book. If anything, it would plant seeds in their hearts. This book isn't for those who prefer light reading or who don't read for pleasure.

I received a complimentary ebook copy in .pdf format, directly from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I wasn't asked to give a positive review of this book.