The Reasonableness of Christianity, and A Discourse of Miracles Book

Unlike many modern philosophers, Locke writes clearly and has some interesting ideas. However, his ideas are very dangerous and counter-intuitive to the Christian faith (and I recognize that I have been shaped by some of these throughout the years). Why so dangerous? Mainly because he uses Christian language to undermine the faith. He doesn't light the fuse, but he lays the TNT for others to.

What's the big deal?
1. Locke makes Scripture and the Christian theological tradition subservient to reason. So long as Scripture accords with his definition of his reason, that's great. But you can imagine (as is happening now in the same-sex marriage debate in the USA), how once public reason contradicts Scripture, it no longer seems plausible. With Reason in the driver's seat, whatever one deems the most reasonable is actually one's authority. [This is problematic b/c as the Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:4, "Let God be true though every one be a liar!"]
2. For Locke, this means that certain ideas such as original sin are worth questioning and denying because they are not reasonable. "How can God punish people who are born sinful?"
3. Locke puts forth a Pelagian or semi-pelagian view of salvation. Man's job is to obey the "law of works." No man can do that. Thankfully, faith in Jesus Christ serves as a stop gap that allows for our failures and does the rest of the work we couldn't do.
4. He speaks about the Messiah Jesus, his kingship and salvation, his miracles and resurrection, yet ends up in such a wrong place. Jesus' divinity is of a second order of importance. Also Jesus' primary ministry to the world is to usher in the Kingdom of God by showing morality to the world in a way that monotheistic Judaism couldn't. The end of the Christian faith isn't worshipping the Triune God but is to live morally and to let God make up for your failures.
5. He believes that a primitive Christianity is all that is required. Believe what Jesus said, but distrust the Epistles because they have corrupted pure and simple doctrine. Theologians and the Christian tradition (for Locke, mainly priests and ceremonies) have corrupted the simple faith. Certain facets of truth (like the Trinity) aren't essential for saving faith. Just believe the message of Jesus (that he is the Messiah) and obey his morality as well as you can and you'll receive salvation leading to immortality. It's all fine and good if you eventually get to the Trinity, but that's not important.

So why 3 stars?
1. This book is really important.
2. Locke writes clearly and is definitely brilliant.
3. Locke's ideas are very dangerous for the Christian faith. I want to give this book 4.5 stars but it's not one to change my life and could adversely impact the faith of others.

Takeaways?
Christians (and especially my fellow Baptists who are eager to engage in evangelism and missions) should be very careful about boiling down the gospel and Christian faith to the "lowest common denominator."

Note on the edition: This edited and abridged edition was great b/c the crux of the argument is presented clearly.