What Most Religions Don’t Tell You About the Bible
I got this short book from a friend of mine, the most committed tract-giver I know. Thus I was not terribly surprised to find that Done is nothing more than a carefully constructed, 100-page tract written for unbelievers. Schmidt takes the opportunity in this short book to deliver far more than simply an outline to salvation. Instead, he delves more deeply into the biblical doctrines behind such major points as every person’s spiritual need due to sin, God’s requirement regarding that sin, Jesus’ substitutionary death for that sin, His complete payment for the unbeliever’s sin, and the need on the unbeliever’s part for belief in Christ’s work. Schmidt fills the pages with Scriptural verification for these points, and keeps the conversation lively all along the way.
Some key points in the book that I enjoyed were the following:
- Schmidt mentions that deep down, every human knows he’s more than a body. This innate knowledge (or at least opaque understanding) regarding spiritual reality leaves every single person “without excuse” before God (Romans 1:20) (5)
- The writer also clarifies that all religions can be broken down into one of 2 groups: either the Do or the Done (11). God holds each of us to an impossible standard (perfection), it’s true, which is what makes the DONE so much better than the DO! (34)
- Regarding one’s need to accept God’s gift of salvation, Schmidt writes that “On the side of the Giver, a true gift must be free and optional, and on the side of the receiver, a true gift must be believed and received.” (83)
- Schmidt then concludes his book with a suggested prayer to those readers who are convinced of their need and of the Truth regarding Christ’s work on the cross.
While I enjoyed this little book, and while it clearly explains the doctrine of salvation, I’m not sure it will get as wide a readership as it deserves—unless people share the link!
Perhaps the subtitle is eye-catching enough to draw the unbelieving reader in, but also perhaps not. What I think Schmidt ought to have marketed instead was the concept of the DO and the DONE. Playing with this concept on the tract’s cover might have proven to be a tastier bait for some than the challenge against the teachings of the average religion. Nevertheless, Done teaches Truth, and in the end, that’s really all a person needs.
©2015 E.T.
I was very sad to read this book and find that the blood of Jesus as payment for sin was never mentioned, outside of one Bible verse at the bottom of a page. Even when Cain’s sacrifice was mentioned, it wasn’t explained why it was rejected.
This book presents sin more like it’s a fly in our bowl of cheerios, rather than what defines who we are. The word “imperfection” is used to describe the horrors of sin, reducing its vile nature. We don’t just have sin, we ARE sinners. The author’s presentation of sin would mean even a baby, born with sin, would have to pay for it in Hell. No distinction was made about being accountable once a person’s conscience is awakened and convicted by the Holy Spirit.
The law is not used in this book to make a person feel the weight of their sin. No appeal is made to the liar, fornicator, covetous person, etc. Rather, sin is presented as something you just “have” because you’re born with it, rather than something you rebel against God with.
The prayer at the end is nothing more than easy-believism at its best.
Could a person come to a truly repentant belief by reading this book? Yes!
However, its dangers of presenting a Jesus that aligns more with Cain’s sacrifice is presented and that’s a big problem.