This is one of the most soul–stirring, liberating books that I have read on this subject. Donald MacLeod provides the reader with a necessary reminder to seek to persuade and implore men and women on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to God. I hope that it will show up in my preaching. I commend this book particularly to a rising group of young reformed pastors who when it comes to this matter of the ‘free offer’ are in danger of being tripped up by their own theological shoelaces.

Compel Him to Come In has all the trademarks we have come to recognise in Professor Donald Macleod’s writings: mastery of doctrine, fulness of biblical insight, cogency of reasoning, clarity of expression, and an eloquence driven by the subject matter. At first you will think you are reading a powerful exposition of the free offer of the gospel in the face of criticisms and misunderstandings of reformed theology. It is indeed that. But by the end you will realise that it more. For Compel Him to Come In is really about the gospel itself. A book for all, it is a must–read for preachers, not least because it models the powerful, passionate appeals it commends.   

Here we have an antidote to cool, professional detachment, as we are reminded that the business of evangelism is serious.  There is a heaven to win and a hell to lose.  Drawing from the wells of Scripture and the high–water marks of mission in Church history, we are reminded that the communication of the gospel must be carried out with passion, conviction and persuasion.

I always enjoy reading Donald MacLeod, as much for the clarity and precision of his arguments as for the elegance of his theology.  Here he addresses an important topic – the free offer of the gospel – with his usual pungency and passion.  It will clarify the issue for those who believe in the free offer but are confused by its connection to God’s sovereignty; and it will hopefully persuade those who are tempted to truncate God’s grace in a misguided attempt to exalt his election.