The Preeminent Christ by Paul Washer

The Preeminent Christ by Paul Washer (b. 1969) 

Paul Washer was born in Madrid, Spain on September 11, 1969. He studied engineering at the University of Texas and earned his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. After being saved in college, Washer spent a lot of time praying, reading the Scriptures, and sharing the gospel. He later spent 10 years in Peru as a missionary only to come back to America in the year 2000 to found the Missionary Organization, HeartCry, which supports dozens of missionaries worldwide.  

Washer has influenced 100,000s if not millions of people, and the Holy Spirit has saved countless individuals to Christ through his work. Washer believes in Biblical Reformed theology, which of course stresses the providence of God, the holiness of God, and Biblical authority above all else. He has many other great resources as well including wonderful dating, marriage, and parenting lectures which are all available on YouTube. Paul Washer is a preacher, theologian, missionary, commentator, puritan enthusiast, author, husband, and father of 4. 

Description of the book 

This short book is an excellent and concise representation of the Gospel. It is based on a Biblical understanding of the Gospel which stresses the importance, centrality, or ‘preeminence’ of Christ. It also looks at the Gospel through the lens of history (looking primarily at the Puritans), which also puts Christ at the center of everything. It is a great introduction to Christology, the atonement, the Gospel, and other valuable doctrines. 

The reader of this book will find a brilliant representation of the Gospel, an easy introduction to numerous complex core doctrines of the Christian Faith, and a humble author whose only desire is to help the reader to understand and believe in Good News of the Savior.  

Three quotes from the book 

“As unschooled as I am, this is my intention: to write about God as He has revealed himself in the Scriptures, especially in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... It is in this singular message that God is most fully revealed and most fully known." - p. 2 

"Why must Christ die? Because God is holy and righteous. Why did Christ die? Because God is love. Both questions find their answer in the character of God." - p. 16 

“When we find ourselves with a lukewarm heart toward Christ and His redemptive work on our behalf, we must deal with ourselves in the most severe manner. We must acknowledge that we are acting stupidly and that our neglect is nothing short of madness. Then we must make an immediate counterattack through repentance, renewal of our commitment, saturation of our lives in the word of God and prayer, and seeking Godly Fellowship." - p. 93 

Where this book is currently published 

This book is published by and is available at Reformation Heritage Books in a lovely cloth-binding and is Smyth-sewn.