Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Keswick theology

Will your book be available in print?

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Within a week of announcing that Logos Bible Software is publishing my book Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology, I received over one hundred emails and comments asking the same question: “Will your book be available in print?”

Short Answer

No, at least for now. ***Don’t miss the update at the bottom of this article.***

Longer Answer

No. The plan for now is that the book will be available exclusively in electronic format from Logos Bible Software.

The factors involved in this decision are complicated, but here are some reasons that I chose Logos Bible Software to publish my first solo book:

  1. I love Logos Bible Software. I’d rather have a book in Logos format than in print any day. [Read more…] about Will your book be available in print?

Interview on Keswick Theology with Alex Chediak

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I recently answered these questions from Alex Chediak about my book on Keswick theology:

  1. Keswick theology teaches that, after salvation, one must pursue the second blessing. Having received it, can one lose this “second blessing”? If so, what would be the mark(s) of such a loss?
  2. How would such a person get it back?
  3. Is Keswick thinking in any way at the root of the struggle many have with discerning “the personal will of God” for their lives?
  4. Some of us might read names like Andrew Murray, J. Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael and think “Wow. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.” Does Keswick thinking, historically, have a track record of promoting more holy living on the part of Christians?
  5. In your handout, you say, “Since it is unlikely that all living believers will agree on their view of sanctification, believers should promote unity on this issue as much as possible.” Can you unpack this a bit?
  6. Romans 7 is a text that divides Christians, with some saying that Paul is referring to the believer’s ongoing struggle with sin, and others (like Doug Moo, and Martin Lloyd-Jones) arguing that Paul is referring to a pre-converted man (possibly himself). Is it possible to take the latter view and still not be a proponent of Keswick theology?
  7. Related to the previous question, when discussing the believer’s ongoing struggle, should we use the word “flesh” or “old man” to refer to what John Owen called our “remaining corruptions”? Is there a difference?

—Part 1 | Part 2

Related:

  1. Let God and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology
  2. Interview on Keswick Theology with Kevin DeYoung

Update on 8/23/2017: My latest book attempts to survey and analyze “let go and let God” theology:

No Quick Fix

Lectures on Keswick Theology

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I posted on this in March 2008, but I’m highlighting it again since these lectures on Keswick theology summarize my book Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology.

Detroit Baptist Theology Seminary is hosting the following resources from the lecture series I presented there in 2008:

  1. Handout. This five-page PDF ends with diagrams of major views on sanctification.
  2. Power Point presentation as a PDF. This collection of eighty slides is filled with pictures of the forerunners, proponents, and successors of Keswick theology.
  3. MP3s. About three hours of lectures:

Update on 8/23/2017: My latest book attempts to survey and analyze “let go and let God” theology:

No Quick Fix

Preface

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Here is my preface to Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology.

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It is not much of a recommendation when all you can say is that this teaching may help you if you do not take its details too seriously. It is utterly damning to have to say, as in this case I think we must, that if you do take its details seriously, it will tend not to help you but to destroy you.

That’s what J. I. Packer wrote about a teaching that has destroyed many people and continues to destroy more today. It nearly destroyed me.

Trying to “Let Go and Let God” in High School and Bible College

When I shared my Christian “testimony” in my high school and early college years, I would say something like this: “I was saved when I was eight years old, and I surrendered to Christ when I was thirteen.” By “saved,” I meant that Jesus became my Savior and that I became a Christian. By “surrendered,” I meant that I finally gave full control of my life to Jesus as my Master and yielded to do whatever he wanted me to do. [Read more…] about Preface

Tom Schreiner’s Foreword

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Here is Tom Schreiner’s foreword to Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology.

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I became a Christian when I was seventeen years old, and the first theology I knew was Keswick theology. I read many books and heard numerous sermons that exhorted me to “let go and let God,” to live the victorious Christian life, to surrender absolutely and completely to the Lord, to live in unbroken victory for significant periods of time, to live as a spiritual Christian instead of a carnal Christian. I read Hannah Whitall Smith, Charles Trumbull, Andrew Murray, Watchmen Nee, Major Ian Thomas, John Hunter, etc. My youth pastor, who discipled me and taught me the rudiments of the Christian faith, gave a steady diet of Keswick teaching as well. When I attended seminary, at my youth pastor’s suggestion, I attended a church that promulgated Keswick theology because I was convinced that those who did not share such a theology were less biblical.

Let me be quick to say how much I learned from Keswick theology. It upholds the Scriptures as the authoritative and inerrant word of God. It highlights the majesty and beauty of Christ. It embraces and rejoices in orthodox Christian theology. Most important, it takes the Holy Spirit seriously. Christians can and should live in a way that pleases God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a theological cipher; his presence is vital and energizing so that believers can triumph over the flesh.
[Read more…] about Tom Schreiner’s Foreword