2007 TSS Books of the Year Award

Tony Reinke Book reviews, Books, BP > Reformation Heritage Books, BR > Baker Books, BR > Christian Focus, BR > Crossway, BR > Eerdmans, BR > Evangelical Press, BR > HarperCollins, BR > IVP, BR > Kregel, BR > Mentor, BR > Multnomah, BR > NavPress, BR > P&R, BR > Reformation Heritage Books, BR > Reformation Trust, BR > Zondervan, spurgeon

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The stack of excellent Christian books published in 2007 would reach at least 5 feet in the air. So while I’m privileged to have read so many great books, whittling down my top 30 favorites is no easy assignment.

In the past, some TSS readers have asked what criteria I use in making this determination and I admit it’s very subjective. My list of top books is based upon a personal opinion of the overall value of individual volumes. Which volumes pioneer new territory? Which books clarify topics of great importance? Which books from 2007 will my kids read in 10 years?

Included in the list are complex doctrinal books, academic polemics, historical biographies, children’s books, marriage books, exegetical guides, etc. My reading interests are wide open, and so is the TSS book of the year competition. There are book recommendations for pretty much all readers.

Themes in 2007

Topically, 2007 will be remembered as the year where precious doctrines like justification and the atonement took rightful center stage (see The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul, The Great Exchange by Bridges and Bevington, and also #3, #12, and #25 on the top-30 list). The doctrine of assurance was the focus of two excellent new volumes (see #13 and #23). Church history and the events of the Reformation found themselves in three excellent volumes (see #8, #11, and #30). But 2007 will also be remembered as the year of John Owen, reformed spirituality, and communion with God (see #6, #14, #15, and #21). We also saw the publishing of one of the best new children’s books (see #4). All around, it was a very fruitful year for some very important topics.

2007 Books of the Year

But two books stand apart from the rest in 2007, because they are volumes that promise to shed a wealth of understanding over large sections of Scripture. They captured my attention because I know I myself have some work to do in discovering the richness of God’s revealed truth in Scripture (and especially in the Old Testament narratives).

So today I happily announce the 2007 TSS books of the year – The ESV Literary Study Bible by Leland and Philip Ryken and An Old Testament Theology by Bruce Waltke.

TSS top-30 books from 2007

1 (tie). ESV Literary Study Bible edited by Leland and Philip Ryken (Crossway). Getting readers comfortable enough to read large selections of Scripture was formerly the work of dynamic equivalent translations like The Message. But the Rykens establish a framework for readers to comprehend large sections of Scripture for themselves by introducing each chapter, exposing the literary style of the work, and providing a general outline of what to expect. Then readers can jump into the literature of Scripture to experience the text for themselves. In the end, the Rykens have produced a Bible that retains the “word-for-word” literal language of the ancient Scriptures (ESV) while helping readers along in fruitful comprehension. Readers who have never enjoyed the Bible from cover-to-cover will especially benefit and find the biblical storyline easier to follow. This is no ordinary study Bible, and it is one that will be cherished by the church long into the future. We wrote a full review of the LSB and also talked with Leland Ryken about it this Summer. $31.49

1 (tie). An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach by Bruce Waltke (Zondervan). Some of the details of the Old Testament appear to simply hang suspended for the modern reader. Let’s take Exodus 2:11 for example: Why is it important that Moses became angry when he saw the harsh treatment of the Israelite by an Egyptian? Why did Moses kill the Egyptian? Why would the biblical author record this event in the first place? Some events in the Old Testament don’t entirely make sense on the surface. Waltke takes these events from the biblical narratives and weaves them into the bigger storyline of Scripture. For this specific example, it helps to understand that Moses was in transition from his identity in Pharaoh’s palace to his new identity with Israel (p. 352). Exodus 2:11 is actually critical in establishing Moses’ transition from Egyptian-raised to Israel’s front-man in the Exodus. And this is just one itsy-bitsy detail from the Old Testament. By taking these seemingly disconnected events and connecting them into the bigger picture of Scripture, Waltke has given us a very helpful guide to understanding the Old Testament. And his insights into the Ten Commandments are worth the price of the volume (see pp. 415-433). In the end, Waltke’s clear articulation of the Old Testament informs the church of her past and thereby informs her present identity. This is a volume you will want to read slowly and digest fully, perhaps within a group of fellow Christians. It will open up the theology and storyline of the Old Testament like no other book I’ve seen. Read more about this volume in our full review. $29.69

3. Pierced for our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution (UK:IVP/US:Crossway). Written by Steve Jeffery, Michael Ovey, and Andrew Sach, this book has proven to be a huge success in both the UK and the US in defending the core of the atonement of Jesus Christ. If you want to understand the Cross at a deeper level (don’t we all) you will cherish this volume. It will go on my shelf along with some of the giants on this topic (like Stott). But what makes this volume especially important is the central role it represents in bringing together a worldwide brotherhood of Christians who believe and cherish the penal substitutionary atonement of the Cross. What Together for the Gospel and the Gospel Coalition conferences have done to unify American churches and ministries around these precious truths, Pierced for Our Transgressions has accomplished on an international scale. $16.50

4. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Zondervan). Finding children’s books that introduce little ones to the major stories of the Bible while simultaneously pointing their souls to the Cross is a rarity. This is perhaps the best children’s storybook Bible on the market, and a must-have for any parent of young children. Incredible illustrations, too. $11.65

5. When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey (Shepherd Press). Harvey has blessed couples with an excellent book for connecting the Cross to the daily trials and triumphs of marriage. Don’t attempt marriage without the Gospel. Bring Harvey along to explain why. $11.16

6. Communion with the Triune God by John Owen (Crossway). The classic book written by English Puritan John Owen resurfaced in 2007, in a new edition edited by Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor. It’s unlikely I can overstate the importance of Taylor and Kapic’s editorial work in introducing Owen to the new generation of young, reformed Christians. An excellent follow-up to last year’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Crossway). $14.96

7. Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart by John Ensor (Crossway). Ensor provides an excellent introduction to biblical manhood and femininity that will help engaged or married couples understand their God-ordained roles. This book is perhaps the best introductory volume on these often controversial topics. $9.59

8. The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Stephen Nichols (Crossway). With brevity, pictures, call-out boxes and humor, Stephen Nichols walks through the highlights of the Reformation to help us see that “the Reformers saw nothing less than the gospel at stake” (p. 21). It’s cliché, but true: I couldn’t put this volume down. Nichols is always good, but especially here. $10.39

9. The Reading and Preaching of the Scripture in the Worship of the Christian Church: The Modern Age by Hughes Oliphant Old (Eerdmans). This is volume six of Old’s large series tracing out the history of preaching from the Biblical era (vol. 1; 1998), the Patristic age (vol. 2; 1998), the Medieval church (vol. 3; 1999), the Reformation period (vol. 4; 2002), during Moderatism, Pietism and Awakening (vol. 5; 2004) and now the most recent volume covering the modern age of 1789-1989. Volume six alone is about 1,000 pages and covers preachers like Broadus, Kuyper, Maclaren, Moody, Spurgeon and Lloyd-Jones. Very insightful work on the history of preaching that has replaced Dargan on my shelves. $36.50

10. Signs of the Spirit: An Interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ ‘Religious Affections’ by Samuel Storms (Crossway). Edwards’ work is classic, and Storms helps the contemporary reader glean its gold. Excellent commentary on one of Edwards’ most valuable works. $10.87

11. Church History: A Crash Course for the Curious by Christopher Catherwood (Crossway). Catherwood sets out the history of the Church from a global perspective, and at all times relays the implications of history to contemporary events. This “crash course” is another volume published this year for a popular audience that will help readers grown in appreciation for developments in the church’s history. $12.99

12. The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright by John Piper (Crossway). Piper excels with a clarification on justification in light of the contemporary debate. $12.23

13. Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace by Philip Graham Ryken, Al Mohler, Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, John MacArthur, Jerry Bridges and R.C. Sproul (P&R). This collaborative effort is a very helpful collection of essays on the topic of the reformed doctrine of assurance. How do we know that we know God? (see Tullian Tchividjian’s work later.) $12.24

14. Sweet Communion: Trajectories of Spirituality from the Middle Ages through the Further Reformation (Baker Academic). Written originally in Dutch by Arie de Reuver, this academic work was made available in English in 2007. It traces the influences of Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471) upon the “Dutch Puritans” like Willem Teellinck, Herman Witsius and Thodorus and Wilhelmus à Brakel. The seven biographies that fill this volume are excellent. This volumes helps us develop a “reformed spirituality,” a seeking after God’s presence illuminated by genuine theology. $21.89

15. The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety: John Flavel’s Doctrine of Mystical Union with Christ (Reformation Heritage Books). Flavel is one of the most valuable Puritans, and this study by Stephen J. Yuille looks at one facet of his theology. The doctrine of the believer’s union with Christ lies at the heart of the Puritan pursuit of godliness, and this small but wonderful outline traces the doctrine generally and highlights Flavel’s rich teaching specifically. $12.00

16. Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election (Crossway) by Sam Storms. Originally published in 1987 by Baker under the title, Chosen for Life: An introductory guide to the doctrine of divine election, Storms’ work was republished in 2007 and remains one of the clearest defenses for reformed soteriology. $12.23

17. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges (NavPress). Hitting from all sides, Bridges confronts all those sins we would rather not talk about, and provides a very Cross-centered approach to killing the flesh. $12.91

18. B.B. Warfield: Essays on His Life and Thought edited by Gary L.W. Johnson (P&R). Part biography, part theology, this new book on Warfield provides a treasure of essays on the thought and life of the outstanding theologian. $15.59

19. A Sweet Flame: Piety in the Letters of Jonathan Edwards by Michael A.G. Haykin (Reformation Heritage Books). A short but excellent collection of Edwards’ most important and moving personal letters, this little volume makes a great gift. $7.50

20. By Faith Alone: Answering the Challenges to the Doctrine of Justification edited by Gary L.W. Johnson and Guy P. Waters (Crossway). Including chapters by David Wells, Cornelius Venema and Al Mohler, this work tackles contemporary attacks upon the gospel (and especially those of N.T. Wright). $12.23

21. Communion with God: The Divine and the Human in the Theology of John Owen by Kelly Kapic (Baker Academic). The long-awaited printing of Kapic’s research did not disappoint. On these same lines, Kapic also wrote the introduction to Communion with God (see #6). $18.47

22. The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steven J. Lawson (Reformation Trust). This short work traces out 32 distinctives from the expositional ministry of the great Reformer, and sets them out as patterns for contemporary preachers. A short and encouraging work for pastors.

23. Do I Know God? Finding Certainty in Life’s Most Important Relationship by Tullian Tchividjian (Random House). An understanding of assurance written from a very personal and compelling vantage point. Excellent in content, but I especially appreciate the format that other writers can follow in communicating biblical doctrine to a new generation of readers. $11.55

24. Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook by Mark D. Futato (Kregel). Excellent little handbook in helping expositors pull all the meat from the Psalms for their their sermon preparations. Not just exegetical, but also helpful in determining the overall theology of the Psalms. $14.27

25. Justified in Christ: God’s Plan for us in Justification (Christian Focus). Edited by K. Scott Oliphant this compilation includes an intro by Sinclair Ferguson and chapters by men like Carl Trueman, William Edgar and Peter Lillback on the importance of justification by faith alone, in Christ alone. Looks at traditional problems with Roman Catholic theology and contemporary concerns with N.T. Wright on union and imputation. $12.99

26. The Majesty of God in the Old Testament: A Guide for Preaching and Teaching (Baker Academic). Renowned Old Testament scholar Walter C. Kaiser Jr. says we should preach more of the Old Testament and in his newest book he takes the preacher by the hand and shows them exactly how. Walking through 10 texts, Kaiser models exegesis and outlining of each specific texts. But in it’s easy-to-read format and concluding application questions in each chapter, this book will double as a group study of God in the Old Testament. $11.55

27. Preaching the Cross: Together for the Gospel (Crossway). The transcripts from the 2006 Together for the Gospel conference written and delivered by Ligon Duncan, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney, John MacArthur, John Piper and R.C. Sproul. An all-star lineup and one of the best compilation on the topic of preaching the gospel. $13.59

28. Revelation and Reason: New Essays in Reformed Apologetics (P&R). Edited by K. Scott Oliphint and Lane G. Tipton. Yet another excellent collection of essays from P&R that captured my attention and helped me work through various difficulties in apologetics. $18.24

29. The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American Pastors by Thabiti Anyabwile (Crossway). Highlights Lemuel Haynes (1753-1833), Daniel A. Payne (1811-1893) and Francis J. Grimké (1850-1937). The book contains one short biography of each man, but is largely comprised of sermon transcripts. Anyabwile’s book is especially important because he is challenging the contemporary African-American churches to consider the gospel of first importance and is thereby calling for large-scale reform. $10.87

30. Reformation Heroes: A Simple, Illustrated Overview of People Who Assisted in the Great Work of the Reformation by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn (Reformation Heritage). The men, women and events of the Reformation written for older children and teens to boost their appreciation for the church. $18.00

And here are some other titles that are likely worthy of the above list, and I wish I made time to read:

So these are my favorite books of 2007. I hope this list serves you in your book-purchasing for the glory of Christ!

Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas from your friends at TSS,

Tony

The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies

Tony Reinke Andrew Fuller

With the recent release of the single-volume works from the Banner of Truth, I expect a spiked interest in the writings and ministry of Andrew Fuller (1754-1815). For more on Fuller I direct your attention to The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies under the supervision of Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin. You can find more information about Fuller at the Center’s blog: http://andrewfuller.blogspot.com

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Jonathan Edwards and Supralapsarianism

Tony Reinke Election, Jonathan Edwards

Today we received a question from TSS reader, Jason Dalton. He asks:

Dear Tony,

I’ve been listening to J.I. Packer’s RTS “History and Theology of the Puritans” on iTunes U that you graciously pointed out awhile back. It is very enjoyable, and I am very grateful to RTS for making it free to the public. Thank you for letting more people know about it.

Dr. Packer goes on a bit of a long tangent about supralapsarianism and infralapsarianism in the lectures and comes down very strongly against supralapsarianism.

I still have much to learn on the subject, but I believe I would label myself as a supralapsarian. My hero is John Piper, and it is from him that I have come to believe that God’s glory and Him displaying all facets of that glory is the most preeminent goal in all the universe.

Seeing from your post that Jonathan Edwards liked William Perkins, did Jonathan Edwards consider himself a supralapsarian, do you know? Do you think John Piper would consider himself a supralapsarian?

Thank you for any knowledge you might be able to pass on. Thank you for all your work. God has used it to bless me.

Jason Dalton

Great question, Jason!

Let me define the terms for those interested in this question but lost in the terminology. It’s a question of timing. What did God decree first, second, etc.? A supralapsarian believes that God first decrees (or elected) some for salvation, then decreed creation, the fall and then redemption. He elects some and then decrees to create them, decrees the fall and redemption to establish this relationship with the elect. An infralapsarian however believes God first decrees creation, then the fall, then election and redemption. So the question is this: Did God decree the elect before decreeing the fall (supralapsarian) or does He decree election after decreeing the fall (infralapsarian)?

This is a noteworthy distinction although some of my favorite theologians simply throw their hands in the air and say the order of decrees is not revealed in Scripture (see John Frame for example).

Now, about your question specifically. Yes, William Perkins was supralapsarian and, yes, Edwards liked Perkins. I’m uncertain of Piper’s official position, though.

From what I’ve read Jonathan Edwards reacted against the supralapsarian position. I say that based upon John Gerstner’s conclusion in his multi-volume work The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards (Ligonier: 1992). Gerstner writes:

“he [Edwards] refutes the fundamental argument of the supralapsarians. They contend that the last thing in execution was always the first in intention. That is, the actual reprobation and salvation of some proved that this was the original intention behind the creation, fall, salvation and damnation. Edwards critiques this … man was not created that he should be converted or reprobated. … God decreed the fall of man, yet Edwards sees this as an anti-supralapsarian. As we shall show in the Edwardsian doctrine of man, the Holy Spirit was Edwards’ donum superadditum. Adam’s failure to call upon Him was the occasion of the fall. God did not first harden Adam’s heart; this wicked deed was Adam’s own doing” (2:161, 164).

Clear as mud? Great question. Does anyone else have insight into answering this question?

Tony

Notes on three new books

Tony Reinke BR > Banner of Truth, BR > Reformation Heritage Books, spurgeon

tssbooks.jpgAs 2007 comes to a close, it’s really amazing to look back on all the excellent Christian books published this year. In the past I’ve held a suspicion with the Christian publishing world but I find that suspicion being replaced with a thankfulness for all the new good books out there. And 2008 promises to be another excellent publishing year!

But before getting into 2008, I want to add a few more volumes that will close out the contenders for the 2007 TSS book of the year contest. Last week I promised to pass along details on the Banner of Truth’s two new volumes (and I’ll add a fresh title from Reformation Heritage to the list, too). Here are my notes:

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The Works of Andrew Fuller (Banner of Truth: 2007)

  • Fuller (1754-1815) was a preacher, theologian, missions board secretary, and apologist. His multifaceted gifts make his works quite diverse and broad in their value, too.
  • This volume is loaded with various theological treatises, letters, and sermons.
  • The text is a facsimile from the 1841 edition.
  • Michael A.G. Haykin, writes in the introduction that Fuller, “was the greatest theologian of the late eighteenth-century transatlantic Baptist community.”
  • Charles Spurgeon considered Fuller’s expositional sermons on Genesis to be “Weighty, judicious, and full of Gospel truth” and “one of the very best series of discourses extant upon Genesis.” And apparently Spurgeon said Fuller was “the greatest theologian” of his century although I could not confirm this reference anywhere in Spurgeon’s Lectures to My Students, Autobiography or Sword and Trowel archives. I would be interested if anyone has the source for this Spurgeon quote.
  • A fairly extensive topical index in the back will make the various theological treatises accessible. The Scriptural index is a bit skinny and less helpful.
  • The weight (100-ounces!) and size of this volume make it a bit awkward to handle and read.
  • At first it appeared this mammoth volume was simply glued binding. The Banner publishing cloth-covered glue binding? Never. Indeed, the closer I looked I could see the pages were Smyth-sewn in a very fine way. The binding is therefore excellent. Look at the close-up picture to experience the beauty for yourself.
  • Overall a durable volume that will certainly find wide acceptance and use among those interested in Fuller.
  • 1,012 pages; extra large cloth cover; ISBN: 9780851519555; buy from Banner of Truth

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The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Banner of Truth: 2007)

  • Samuel Rutherford (c. 1600-1661) is worth reading, but he struggled with brevity. For all his value, he is one of the toughest Puritans to read. So this is a great concept – take some short excerpts of the Letters and publish them in a short book more accessible to the church.
  • This edition is actually a retypeset edition of a book that appeared 1909. Sinclair Ferguson has written a nice little introduction to the new edition.
  • The binding has a nice leather feel to it with embossed lettering. I hope the Banner uses this cover on future volumes. Very attractive!
  • The book is comprised of very short excerpts pulled out from the original Letters. There are some very good quotes and a great many of them will cause the reader to stop and meditate further on the preciousness of our Savior.
  • Unfortunately, this volume retains the old language of the original Rutherford. Take this one: “God hath called you to Christ’s side, and the wind is now in Christ’s face in this land; and seeing ye are with him, ye cannot expect the lee-side or the sunny side of the brae” (p. 2). I think I generally understand the point here, but the rough language barrier certainly intrudes upon the ‘devotional’ expectation of the excerpt. In the glossary in the back I find that “brae” means “the side of a hill.” By leaving the archaic language and expecting the reader to consult the glossary frequently, I’m afraid this little volume misses its full devotional potential.
  • A few of the letters have language that will appear very harsh. For example: “I know my Lord is no niggard: he can, and it becometh him well to give more than my narrow soul can receive” (p. 52). Again, I think changing the language could have improved the devotional quality here.
  • Overall, I really liked the volume but I must attribute this to my familiarity with Rutherford’s language. By retaining the archaic language I’m afraid some readers (especially those with less experience with Puritan literature) will be a bit disappointed.
  • 108 pages; leather-like cover; ISBN: 9780851519562; buy from Banner of Truth

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Reformation Heroes: A Simple, Illustrated Overview of People Who Assisted in the Great Work of the Reformation (Reformation Heritage Books: 2007)

  • Written by Joel R. Beeke and Diana Kleyn, this volume was written for kids. It has the feel of Meet the Puritans, except it covers the men and women of the Reformation in a style more appropriate for “older children and teens.”
  • The book’s intention is three-fold: (1) Help the reader grasp a general understanding of the Reformation and the events leading to the Reformation, (2) present the Reformers as role models for the reader, and (3) to present the doctrines of the Reformation at an age-appropriate level.
  • The book closes with a chapter on the influence of the Reformation in the areas of education, politics, economics, and of course religion.
  • The pages are glossy and the various portraits and pictures throughout the volume are black-and-white.
  • A nice and extensive glossary of terms in the back is helpful and there is an excellent bibliography for further reading on the individuals and events covered in the book. A detailed timeline inside the boards is very helpful, too.
  • Reformation Heroes will be a very helpful resource to introduce children, teens – and even adults – to the legacy we enjoy today from the tumultuous days of the Reformation.
  • Dr. Sinclair Ferguson writes: “In a day when there are idols in abundance, but few heroes, this beautifully written and illustrated book will do much to stir questioning young minds to probe the purpose of their own lives. Diana Kleyn and Joel Beeke have once again found a way to make history both interesting and challenging. By grace, Reformation Heroes is a book that will help capture young minds and hearts for Christ.”
  • 240 pages; extra wide hardcover; ISBN: 9781601780287; buy from Reformation Heritage

The pull of Pullman

Tony Reinke Atheism, Atheist

Alan Jacobs is a literary critic and professor of English at Wheaton College. In 2000 Jacobs was interviewed on the Mars Hill Audio Journal about Philip Pullman’s writings (like The Golden Compass) and why he hesitates using Pullman’s works in teaching literature to his college classes. About midway through the interview Jacobs explains how gifted “world-making” authors are especially effective at communicating ideology. He says:

“There is no question that there aren’t very many writers out there more gifted than Philip Pullman and of course that’s what makes it the more disturbing when the gifts are abused. … We [he and his Senior college class] spent a lot of time talking about what’s involved in reading a world-making author like this. It’s an enormously seductive experience. As you come to trust in the author’s ability to make a compelling and fascinating world it becomes harder and harder to mistrust that author’s leadership and direction in moral matters. And so it’s very hard to sort these things out. If you begin to suspect the moral tendency or direction that the book is taking the imaginative wholeness of the vision becomes less compelling to you as well. So I think many readers who love and relish being put into these secondary worlds, who love to immerse themselves in the textures and shapes of a world different than ours, those readers are faced with a great temptation to turn off their moral and spiritual discernment so they are not disturbed in their immersion in this world. It’s a tough thing to try to keep those moral and spiritual antennae working to discern the spirits because you want so much to have an enjoyable reading experience. You don’t want it all to collapse all around your ears.”

Typical of Ken Myers and the Mars Hill Audio Journal, this is an engaging interview. You can listen to the entire interview here:

Or download the MP3 (22.9 MB).

Clarifying “Spirituality”

Tony Reinke Cross of Christ, Cross-centered life, spurgeon

tsslogo.jpgOf late, the religious culture of America has been abuzz with the word “spiritual.” And we can be encouraged that (at some level) there’s a growing interest in spirituality. Spearheading the spawning spirituality are pastors and authors willing to write, travel and speak on the topic. Talk of “spiritual journeys” and books on Celtic spirituality sprinkle the pop-religious scene. Last year one pastor successfully managed a 22-city, nationwide speaking tour under the banner: “Everything is Spiritual.” From what I hear, most of the venues sold out.

But I’ve also noticed when discussions focus on “spirituality,” biblical exegesis often takes a backseat (or gets trunked altogether). As you can imagine, the Bible has a lot to teach us about spirituality and can help us sift through the spiritually exaggerated lingo in our culture. Today I want to examine two of the “spiritual” exaggerations on my radar screen, (1) everyone is spiritual, and (2) everything is spiritual.

1. Everyone is spiritual

First is the popular assumption that everyone is spiritual. On the surface this seems accurate. We have a conscience to warn us ethically and a creativity that is manifested artistically. These are both the fruits of our spiritual makeup. And each of us has an eternal soul. That’s pretty spiritual!

Our initial response, then, is to affirm that everyone is spiritual. But Scripture cautions us of making this broad generalization. Let me explain.

The Apostle Paul gets at the heart of “spirituality” in 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:16. He answers some fundamental questions. Why do some believe in the cross and others laugh at the cross? Why do some ‘get’ the cross and others ‘stumble over’ the cross? These are the questions in Scripture that answer a broader question: What is genuine spirituality?

Here’s Paul’s main point: some people are spiritual, and some are natural. Quite obviously in these passages, the natural person is un-spiritual. They are easily attracted towards the glittering religious wisdom of the world, or quickly look towards the next miraculous expression. It may look like spirituality, but the natural soul is sustained by worldly wisdom and fleeting miracles that were never intended to sustain the soul. The gospel – the true power to sustain the soul – is written off as foolishness (1:18, 22-23).

This naturalism is a problem of interpretation. Paul writes: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). Literally, the natural person considers the gospel ridiculous because he/she is incapable of making decisions of spiritual discernment. Spiritual truths do not register where the saving work of the Holy Spirit is absent.

On the other hand, the spiritual person understands the gospel and places his eternal hope in the crucified Messiah. Those who are spiritual can interpret the “secret and hidden wisdom of God” and therefore believe in “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2, 7). But this is not to the glory of the “spiritual,” it’s a work of God’s grace: “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” because “no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (2:10,11).

So the Bible carefully distinguishes between the spiritual and non-spiritual and it has everything to do with the saving work or absence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.

Hold this thought for a moment.

2. Everything is Spiritual

A second exaggeration of the spirituality of the day is that everything is spiritual. Now, again this needs a brief word of clarification (because exaggerations are partly true). Believers can do all things for a spiritual end, even in the most basic things like eating and drinking (1 Cor. 10:31). For the spiritual, all things are spiritual.

The pop-talk of the day says the Old Testament has no word for “spiritual,” therefore we should assume that everything is spiritual. But the New Testament does have a word for “spiritual” and frequently uses this term in contrast with its terms for “natural” and “material” (see 1 Cor. 9:11 for example).

Perhaps it would be best to approach this from another angle altogether by asking: What is most spiritual?

When Paul explains the differences between the spiritual and the natural, his basis of discernment is the cross. All throughout the passage Paul’s message is of “the cross of Christ,” “the word of the cross,” “we preach Christ crucified,” “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified,” and the cross is the “secret and hidden wisdom of God.” As Paul begins to carefully distinguish between the spiritual and the non-spiritual, he comes back to the cross of Jesus Christ. For Paul, the cross is the gauge of genuine spirituality.

There may be spiritual implications to many things in our lives, but this does not mean everything is spiritual and certainly does not mean we are free to equalize all things as equally spiritual. When Paul seeks to explain the spiritual, he avoids broad and extensive categories to keep what is most spiritual in the spotlight.

We’ll return to this theme in a bit. But first are a few other points to ponder.

1. Paul’s distinction between ‘spiritual’ and ‘natural’ hearers directly impacted his method of outreach and style of preaching. It would be wrong for us to say the distinction between the ‘natural’ and ‘spiritual’ hearers is just a theoretical conclusion. These conclusions are richly practical.

Paul based his very ministry methodology on this careful spiritual discernment! When Paul entered a pagan city to preach the gospel, he entered with a pre-understanding that some people were spiritual, and some were non-spiritual. This dichotomy gave Paul the freedom to preach the “foolish” message of a crucified Messiah — even though Paul was aware of his personal weaknesses, fears, lack of lofty eloquence, and despite audience demands for signs and wisdom (1:17-2:5).

Paul’s ministry faithfulness – and our ministry faithfulness – depends upon the sobering reality that audiences are filled with “spiritual” and “natural” hearers. Only this theological foundation will free us to boldly center our ministries on the center of genuine spirituality: “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). This sobering reality turns talkers into preachers.

2. Spirituality is not defined by our human nature, but by the saving activity of God’s Spirit. One myth circulating in this pop-“spirituality” is the assumption that to be a human being is to be a spiritual being. In reality, true spirituality depends upon the saving activity of God’s Spirit. Paul writes, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (2:12-13). True spirituality finds its basis in regeneration. There is no true spirituality apart from the New Birth because until the Spirit of God lives within us, we cannot comprehend the spiritual. The biblical definition of “spiritual” is a redeemed sinner who understands the cross of Christ. True spirituality exists only where the saving work of the Holy Spirit exists. Where the saving work of the Holy Spirit is absent, an understanding of the cross is absent, and thus spirit-uality is absent.

3. Spirituality is measured by the cross! Scripture does not define spirituality in vague and uncertain terms. Paul’s spirituality ministry is explained like this: “interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (2:13). Spirituality has everything to do with properly interpreting the deep wisdom of God in His plan of redemption.

Notice how saturated with the gospel is this section of Scripture (see verses mentioned earlier). The spirituality question comes down to this: Are we captured by the cross? Then the Holy Spirit is at work and we are spiritual. Do we stumble over the cross in a pursuit of some other “spirituality”? Then the saving presence of the Holy Spirit is absent and we are natural (or non-spiritual).

By saying true spirituality is centered directly upon cross, Paul is saying the holiness of God, the demands of the Law, our personal guilt, and our saving faith in the blood of Christ that absorbed the wrath of God’s fury are all truths of vital importance to our spiritual vitality.

The biblical expectation is that talk of spirituality should be centered on the details of the gospel message. If I understand Paul correctly here, speaking of “spirituality” without reference to the cross is really just another form of naturalism.

Conclusion

Very clearly, Paul reserves the term “spiritual” for those who possess the saving work of the Holy Spirit and find their joy and hope alone in the cross of Jesus Christ. Spirituality has everything to do with God’s sovereign grace and everything to do with the power of the Holy Spirit because spirituality is not a journey to the gospel, it’s a life illuminated by the gospel.

I would encourage you to personally study 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:16 for yourself. I think Paul’s careful definition of “spirituality” will equip us to tread carefully among the contemporary discussions.

If you are spiritual – if your eternal hope is found in the cross of Christ – Paul would have you respond by praising God for His graciousness! This spirituality is the fruit of God’s electing grace in your life (1:24)! Be encouraged at Christ’s spiritual all-sufficiency. But also be deeply humbled:

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1:30-31).