Book Recommendations: Two books on Higher Life and Keswick Theology (Both authored by Andy Naselli)

No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What it Is, and Why It's Harmful (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017) by Andrew David Naselli.

This is an abridged version of his previous work on this topic which was nearly 450 pages. It is available in both kindle and paperback.

A review by 9Marks is available here.

A review on the Gospel Coalition site is available here.

A detailed review by the author is available here.

For a review in the Master Seminary Journal is available here or MSJ 28/2 (Fall 2017) 210-08.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Where Higher Life Theology Came From and What It Is

     Chapter 1 What is the Story of Higher Life Theology?

     Chapter 2 What is Higher Life Theology?

Part 2: Why Higher Life Theology is Harmful

     Chapter 3 The Fundamental Reason Higher Life Theology is Harmful

     Chapter 4 Nine More Reasons Higher Life Theology is Harmful

Conclusion

Afterward by John MacArthur

Appendix: A More Excellent Way

Recommended Resources on the Christian Life

A more robust version of the book can be purchased through www.logos.com.

LET GO and LET GOD? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2010) by Andrew David Naselli. Foreward by Thomas R. Schreiner.

This version is nearly 450 pages long and gives a fuller treatment to the subject. It is only available in a Logos book format.

Read. Enjoy. Grow in Christlikeness.
Comment as necessary.

Book Recommendation. The Healthy Small Church: Diagnosis and Treatment for the Big Issues

The Healthy Small Church: Diagnosis and Treatment for the Big Issues by Dennis Bickers

This is another treatment of small church issues.  Bickers if you may remember is also the author of several other books especially The Bivocational Pastor. Just a warning he spent 20 years as a bivocational pastor so much of his works that I have read are filled with practical wisdom and experience based decision making. Don't expect a great deal of scriptural text or a long exegetical handling of the text. Perhaps there's a nugget or two that can help in your local ministry.

Table of Contents

1. The Importance of Small Churches

2. The Problem of Unhealthy Churches

3. The Importance of a Proper Theology and Doctrine

4. The Value of a Vision

5. Transformational Worship

6. Acceptance of Change

7. The Ability to Handle Conflict

8. Spiritual Leadership

9. A Sense of Community

10. Financial Health

11. Mission-Mindedness

12. Long Pastoral Tenure

13. Involvement in Outreach

14. Pursuit of Excellence in Ministry

15. Lay Ministry Involvement

16. Time for a Checkup

Read. Enjoy. Comment.

Book Recommendation: Two Books on Peer Pressure and Worrying About What Others Think of You

Truly the fear of man paralyzes too many people. We fear telling the truth because we wonder what others will think of us. Wisdom perhaps in some situations but more often than not people do things to be noticed by them. I would include putting down other believers or co-workers to make yourself look better or even more important (dare I say, even more spiritual).  I offer these two books to you to be helpful and encouraging in this area (especially to those who live in a sub-culture where you constantly think that somebody somewhere might not like you--based on how you act, think, or what you wear).

Pleasing People. How not to be an "approval junkie." by Lou Priolo. Thomas Nelson, 2007. By Lou Priolo

Reviewed by Tim Challies here.
Reviewed on the OPC website here.

Table of Contents

Part One: Our Problem
1. Characteristics of a People-Pleaser
2. Is it Ever Right to Please People?
3. The Dangers of Being a People-Pleaser
4. More Dangers of Being a People-Pleaser
5. You Can't Please All of the People Even Some of the Time
6. But You Can Pleas God
7. Some Points about Pride

Part Two: God's Solution
8. Characteristics of a God-Pleaser
9. So What Exactly Does It Take to Please God?
10. What Are You Wearing?
11. Whose Serve Is It?
12. Additional Remedies
13. Where's Your Treasure?

Appendix A: Prerequisite to Pleasing God
Appendix B: Getting to the Heart of Pride (Directions for using the Heart Journal)

When People are Big and God is Small. Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependecy, and the Fear of Man. P&R Publishing, 2007. By Edward T. Welch.

1. Love tanks with a leak

Part One: How and Why We Fear Others

2. People will see me

3. People will reject me

4. People will physically hurt me

5. The World wants me to fear people

Part Two: Overcoming the Fear of others

6. Know the fear of the Lord

7. Grow in the fear of the Lord

8. Biblically examine your felt needs

9. Know your real needs

10. Delight in the God who fill us

11. Love your enemies and your neighbors

12. Love your brothers and sisters

13. The Conclusion of the Matter: Fear God and keep His commandment

Read. Comment. Enjoy.

Book Recommendation: Nine Marks of A Healthy Church by Mark Dever

Book Review and Recommendation: Nine Marks of A Healthy Church by Mark Dever

I know this one's been around a while with several printings.  Still I highly recommend this book for all pastors and church members (I've personally read it several times).  This book has dipped into nearly every category churches need to carefully consider and evaluation in their own local church ministries and how to really focus on becoming a healthy church. Honestly, what preacher/teacher of the scriptures whether he be of any stripe can't gain immensely from this challenging chapters.

I am including a list from the table of contents for your knowledge. My copy was published in 2004 by Crossway Books and the forward was by Joshua Harris.

Mark One: Expository Preaching
Mark Two: Biblical Theology
Mark Three: The Gospel
Mark Four: A Biblical Understanding of Conversion
Mark Five: A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
Mark Six: A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
Mark Seven: Biblical Church Discipline
Mark Eight: A Concern for Discipleship and Growth
Mark Nine: Biblical Church Leadership

Consider a quick summary of each chapter based a rewording of the summaries of each chapter. 

Mark One (Expository preaching): The word of God must be the center of our preaching, not just a topic filled with the preachers ideas. The scriptures bring life, they sanctify, and the preacher himself has a unique responsibility directly to it. What preacher whether he be 

Mark Two (Biblical Theology): preaching who the God of scriptures truly is in his character: creating, holy, faithful, loving, and sovereign.

Mark Three (The Gospel): focuses on four negatives of what the gospel is not--is it not that we are okay, or God is love, Jesus wants to be your friend, or that we should live right. This chapter closes with a right response to the gospel of repentance and faith.

Mark Four (Conversion): Change is needed and it is possible. The challenge is more than just mental acceptance or moral resolve.  The point must be reached where a sinner relies on Christ for everything. This change has alternative extremes to be avoided: we do nothing and its opposite we do everything, both problematic.  The final solution: God works this saving faith in us. 

Mark Five (Evangelism): Focus is on who should evangelize, How we should evangelize, what evangelism is, and finally why we should evangelize. Several good pointers: evangelism is not imposition, a personal testimony, social action, or apologetics. 

Mark Six (Church Membership): We join a church to assure ourselves, evangelism, exposure of false gospels, edification, and God's glory. At CHBC specifically, membership entails the following: service attendance, communion, members meetings, pray and giving regularly.

Mark Seven (Church Discipline): The plethora of NT texts teaching its necessity. There are five significant reasons mentioned to practice church discipline: good of the person disciplined, good of others in church, health of church as whole, corporate witness of church, and God's glory reflecting his holiness.

Mark Eight (Discipleship and Growth): Practicing Biblical based Growth includes the understanding the following: the Gospel, conversion, evangelism, church membership, church discipline, and church leadership.

Mark Nine (Church Leadership): Four principles form the basis for this chapter. Church leadership exists in a congregational context, they have specific qualifications, a certain charismatic nature, and should exemplify Christlikeness.

Appendix One: Tips for Leading the Church in a Healthy Direction
Appendix Two: The Numerical Nineties and Beyond
Appendix Three: Medicines from the Cabinet

Extremely valuable text for finding and creating a healthy local church.

Read. Comment. Enjoy.