Bridges, author of such classics as The Pursuit of Holiness
and The Practice of Godliness
, explains in the preface here, "The editorial team at NavPress thought I had addressed key principles of spiritual growth in previous writings, but that they were scattered among eight different books." Bridges revises and blends these strands into what he aptly describes as "Christian Growth 101." Everything here is quite familiar to those schooled in an evangelical understanding of Christian experience and theology. He strongly emphasizes the subtle but crucial difference between disciplined Christian growth and trying to work one's way into heaven, as well as the difference between being saved by grace and being free to eschew holiness. Interwoven in these explanations are accessibly articulated bits of conservative evangelical theology and Bible exposition, as well as practical ideas for the believer who wants to grow. Except for a brief discussion of controversy among evangelicals about what Paul means when he says Christians have "died to sin," Bridges steers clear of contention. He writes that his book "assumes that those who read it want to grow. There are some people who for one reason or another don't seem to want to grow, and that's a different story." These are perhaps the harshest words in this gentle book; while those who do not subscribe to Bridges's notion of Christian growth won't find much of use here, new evangelicals, as well as believers who want a refresher course, will not be disappointed. (Mar.)
