One critic of evangelicals quipped, “The problem with people who believe in being born again is that they are even worse the second time.” While he might have a point in the case of a few overly zealous converts, there’s nothing more glorious – or necessary – than the new birth. Yet Jesus’ words, “You must be born again,” are often misunderstood.
Jonathan Master’s new book, “You Must Be Born Again” (P&R, 2024), offers a brief and compelling journey into what those words mean, highlighting biblical truth for a believer and offering the good news of Jesus to those who’ve not yet believed.
Drawing on biblical texts, historical examples, and practical insights, Master presents the new birth as not only a theological truth to be embraced but also as a vital, life-changing experience that every believer has received.
I’m so grateful Master begins by establishing the universal need for change. Using relatable analogies—trading in an old car or discarding a worn-out garment—he draws readers into the larger question of whether people can truly change at the deepest level. He doesn’t shy away from the hard truth that human hearts, according to the Bible, are fundamentally corrupt and in need of radical transformation. This diagnosis of the human condition is sobering, but Master quickly shifts to the hope found in Jesus Christ, who not only makes change possible but declares it essential: “You must be born again” (John 3:7).
One of the strengths of this book is how Master’s inclusion of the Old Testament passages helps readers grasp the character of the new birth. Tracing the concept of the new birth through both the Old and New Testaments, he demonstrates regeneration has been part of God’s redeeming work from the outset.
Regeneration isn’t a New Testament novelty but a fulfillment of promises made throughout Scripture. Master’s treatment of passages in Ezekiel and Jeremiah is particularly helpful in demonstrating that the new birth is rooted in God’s plan for his people from the beginning. These connections help to deepen our understanding of what it means to be born again and why it is so crucial.
We all know that “new birth” has been distorted or trivialized in a great deal of Christian preaching and evangelism. Master doesn’t shy away from tackling these tragically unhelpful approaches that subvert the truth. Superficial presentations that focus solely on emotional experiences or behavioral changes without addressing the heart’s fundamental transformation are carefully identified and set aside. Instead, he calls for a return to a biblically grounded understanding of regeneration in which the Holy Spirit brings us from death to life through the power of the gospel, leading to genuine, lasting change. This is not a call for mere moral improvement but for a profound internal transformation that only God can accomplish.
The book also excels in its pastoral tone. Master speaks to both believers and seekers with clarity, compassion, and a sense of urgency. He challenges nominal Christians—those who might identify as Christian but have never experienced a heart transformation—to examine their faith in light of Jesus’ teaching. At the same time, he invites non-Christians who are searching for change to consider the new birth as the true solution to the deepest problems of the human heart. Master is not content to simply inform. Instead, he aims to persuade and move readers toward a personal encounter with the living Christ.
A particularly engaging aspect of the book is Master’s use of historical examples to illustrate the impact of the new birth. He references the Great Awakening and the powerful effects that the doctrine of the new birth had on society at large. This historical perspective is valuable because it situates the new birth within a broader context, showing that it is not just a personal or isolated experience but something that has the power to transform entire communities and even nations. I’m grateful for this reference to authentic revival and renewal, a dimension of God’s work that is sometimes unnecessarily set aside due to the abuses of mere revivalism.
Authentic transformation is at the heart of this little book. While the new birth is a sovereign, gracious act of the Spirit to move us from death to life, we also know that the process of transformation goes on throughout our lives, the Spirit employing the ordinary means of grace and other mercies, both hard and sweet, to conform us to the image of Christ.
Master does not fail to address the ongoing struggle with sin that even those who are born again will face. However, he emphasizes that the new birth brings with it a new relationship to sin—one where the believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is truly liberated from slavery to sin and gradually transformed to the image of Christ. This section of the book is both realistic and hopeful, acknowledging the difficulties of the Christian life while pointing to the sure promise of God’s sanctifying work.
Master also touches on the eschatological dimension of the new birth, reminding readers that the change begun in this life will be completed in the life to come. He beautifully connects the present experience of new life with the future hope of resurrection and glorification, offering a full picture of the Christian hope. This forward-looking perspective on regeneration is refreshing and serves to anchor the believer’s current struggles in the promise of ultimate redemption.
While “You Must Be Born Again” is a relatively short book, its impact is profound. Master manages to distill complex theological truths into accessible language without sacrificing depth. His writing is clear, direct, and engaging, making it suitable for a wide audience—from new believers and seekers to seasoned Christians who need a fresh reminder of the transformative power of the gospel.
“You Must Be Born Again” by Jonathan Master is a timely and important contribution to Christian literature. It calls the church back to a central doctrine that is too often overlooked or misunderstood and does so with clarity, conviction, and pastoral sensitivity. Whether you are a skeptic, a seeker, or a long-time believer, this book has something valuable to offer.
Master reminds us the gospel is not a do-it-yourself salvation project to achieve human potential, but about the radical transforming of our hearts by God’s grace. This is a book that will challenge you, encourage you, and ultimately point you to the One who alone can bring about the essential change we all need. I hope you’ll read “You Must Be Born Again” and share it with others.
David Cassidy serves as lead pastor of Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, Florida.