Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

sanctification

No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It’s Harmful

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My latest book attempts to survey and analyze “let go and let God” theology:

No Quick Fix

Andrew David Naselli. No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It’s Harmful. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2017. xi + 123 pp.

(The book’s “Acknowledgments” page should mention three Faithlife employees: Elliot Ritzema for shepherding the book through the editorial process, Bryan Hintz for designing the clever cover, and my friend Mark Ward for writing the title’s black letters by hand.) [Read more…] about No Quick Fix: Where Higher Life Theology Came From, What It Is, and Why It’s Harmful

“Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel

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freeThis book recently released:

Wayne Grudem. “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016. 159 pp.

This 42-page PDF excerpt includes the endorsements (by Darrell Bock, Ligon Duncan, Kent Hughes, John MacArthur, J. I. Packer, Tom Schreiner, Sam Storms, Dan Wallace, and Bruce Ware), a detailed outline of the book, the introduction, and chapter 1.

When I was in college, the church and school I was a part of embraced both Keswick theology and aspects of “free grace” theology. It led me to write a dissertation-turned-book on Keswick theology, which touches on the so-called “Lordship salvation” debate and its ramifications for false assurance. So I read Grudem’s latest book with great interest. His theology is sound, and his tone is just right.

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

No Quick Fix

Don Carson on How Knowing the Bible Does Not Automatically Make You More Holy

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worshipD. A. Carson, “I Am the Truth,” in The God We Worship: Adoring the One Who Pursues, Redeems, and Changes His People, ed. Jonathan L. Master (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2016), 157–58:

Knowledge of the Word does not sanctify us by mere education. I have now lived long enough and have belonged to enough professional biblical societies that there are not many front-rank New Testament scholars in the world whom I have not met. Some of them are very brilliant minds indeed. [Read more…] about Don Carson on How Knowing the Bible Does Not Automatically Make You More Holy

Kevin DeYoung’s “The Hole in Our Holiness”

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holeThis book is as good as advertised:

Kevin DeYoung. The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. 159 pp. | 20 pp. sample PDF

DeYoung emphasizes what some who hold a Reformed view of sanctification tend not to emphasize: effort (i.e., Spirit-powered, gospel-driven, faith-fueled effort). And it helps that he can flat-out write.

I ordered the audiobook for my wife (who found Kevin’s T4G sermon so helpful that she listened to it three times). [Read more…] about Kevin DeYoung’s “The Hole in Our Holiness”

God’s Will and Decision-Making

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The subject of God’s will and decision-making has fascinated me since I was in high school, so I’ve been compiling resources on it. (See the recommended reading at the bottom of the post.) I came close to writing a dissertation on it.

My favorite resource to recommend to lay people is Kevin DeYoung’s book (cf. my review).

I recently read this excellent debate-book on the issue:

Douglas S. Huffman, ed. How Then Should We Choose? Three Views on God’s Will and Decision Making. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009. 269 pp.

I think that Friesen’s view is the best of the three. [Read more…] about God’s Will and Decision-Making

X-ray Questions

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David Powlison, “X-ray Questions,” chapter 7 in Seeing with New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition through the Lens of Scripture  (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2003), 129–43 (these questions appear on pp. 132–40):

  1. What do you love? Hate?
  2. What do you want, desire, crave, lust, and wish for? What desires do you serve and obey?
  3. What do you seek, aim for, and pursue? [Read more…] about X-ray Questions