nawinter.com

Reflections & Takeaways from Recent Reads

• Weakness is the Way Life with Christ Our Strength by J.I. Packer – Most of us don’t like to think of ourselves as weak. In fact, the majority of us work hard at convincing ourselves and others of the exact opposite. Yet, as J.I. Packer makes clear in this book, for the Christian, weakness should be our way of life. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t have areas of strength, but that our manner of life needs to be one that is solely dependent upon God. By looking at 2nd Corinthians and relating anecdotes from his own life, Packer demonstrates what this way of weakness looks like and why it is necessary for the Christian.  One thing that is helpful to know before starting this book is that it doesn’t not display the theological intensity that Packer is often noted for. It still is relevant and applicable to our lives, but it is not the weighty examination of a topic that one is used to by this author. The book is an easy read, even as it discusses a significant topic. And perhaps, given the topic, it is helpful that the book is focused on application rather than philosophical arguments. While it is not exactly a memoir, it is more contemplative than many of Packer’s books, However, in discussing the topic in this way, we not only get to understand how the concept of sole dependency on God can apply to our lives, but we learn how Packer has applied it to his life as well, which may help us grow in our appreciation for this great philosopher theologian, and fellow disciple of Christ. 

• The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by R.A. Torrey – Early in this book, R.A. Torrey makes the observation that the Holy Spirit may be the least discussed member of the Trinity. Yet, as Torrey proves throughout the rest of the book, understanding Who the Holy Spirit is and the work that He does is vital for a Christian who wants to grow in the knowledge of the God that they serve. While I don’t agree with of Torrey’s theology, including his position that a person can be saved but not be filled with the Holy Spirit, I nonetheless found this book helpful in growing my appreciation for the third member of the Trinity.  I venture that any other Christian who reads this book will find the same.

• An Anchor for the Soul: Help for the Present, Hope for the Future by Richard Pritchard –  I imagined that this book was about something different than it was. I anticipated that I was going to read a volume about how a Christian could deepen their dependence upon God. Instead, the book provided an overview of the central tenets of the Gospel message. My confusion on the subject matter, however, did not prevent my enjoyment of the book. In the volume, Pritchard does a good job of reviewing the key components of what it means to repent and put one’s faith in Christ and he does so in a simple and relatable manner. While mature Christians may find that the book adds little new insights or perspectives, they may find the book helpful as a resource that can be given to someone who wants to know more about Christianity, or as a primer for what topics need to be at the forefront in their own evangelistic efforts. A new Christian or someone who has yet to follow Christ would find this book to be a beneficial read to grasp the core concepts about what it means to be Christ’s disciple. Those who are simply inquirers to the faith will appreciate the book’s relative brevity, and those who want to know more about the Gospel will find this a good foundation for further study. Pritchard has done an admirable job in creating a primer of the central tens of the evangelistic message and has done so with persuasion and a fidelity to biblical teaching.