Let God?
A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology
Andrew David Naselli
Foreword by Thomas R. Schreiner
Lexham Press, 2010
Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick Theology
Copyright 2010 Andrew David Naselli
Published by Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
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This book packs an extraordinary amount of useful summary, critical analysis, and pastoral reflection into short compass. One does not have to agree with every opinion to recognize that this is a comprehensive and penetrating analysis of Keswick theology down to 1920. The book will do the most good, however, if it encourages readers in a more faithful way to pursue that holiness without which we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
D. A. Carson
Research Professor of New Testament
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Deerfield, Illinois
For years popular Christian teachers have been telling us the secret key to the victorious, higher, deeper, more abundant Christian life. We’ve been told just to “let go and let God.” If you’ve heard that teaching, you’ll want to read this book—the definitive history and critique of second-blessing theology. You’ll learn not only where this theology went wrong, but will also discover afresh the well-worn old paths of biblical faithfulness and holiness. Andy Naselli is an extraordinarily careful scholar who leaves no stone unturned, but also a compassionate guide who longs to help and serve the church of Jesus Christ. Readers of this work will be instructed and encouraged in their Christian walk.
Justin Taylor
Vice President of Editorial; Managing editor, ESV Study Bible
Crossway
Blogger at Between Two Worlds
Wheaton, Illinois
Keswick theology cast a wide and long shadow over twentieth-century church life in America. Curiously, though, it never received a sustained, thorough analysis. Until now, that is. Andy Naselli has filled in the gap, doing us all a favor by immersing himself in the literature and the ethos of the movement. The result is an even-handed and substantial critique.
Keswick theology, especially in terms of its telltale doctrine of “victorious living,” strikes me as falling under the category of seeming like a good idea at the time that then quickly veered down a rocky road. Sadly, many have been left in its wake of deferred dreams of the victorious life. Dr. Naselli’s book offers great insight into what went wrong, and even guidance on how to get back on track.
Stephen J. Nichols
Research Professor of Christianity and Culture
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
As a pastor, I don’t get asked to read many dissertations. I can’t say I was pining for more. I have enough to read without having to slog through a bazillion footnotes on the role of dyslexic cobblers on the development of pre-industrial French mercantilism. ...
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About Let Go and Let God? A Survey and Analysis of Keswick TheologyKeswick theology—one of the most significant strands of second-blessing theology—assumes that Christians experience two “blessings.” The first is getting “saved,” and the second is getting serious. The change is dramatic: from a defeated life to a victorious life, from a lower life to a higher life, from a shallow life to a deeper life, from a fruitless life to a more abundant life, from being “carnal” to being “spiritual,” from merely having Jesus as your Savior to making Jesus your Master. So how do people experience this second blessing? Through surrender and faith: “Let go and let God.” Second-blessing theology is pervasive because countless people have propagated it in so many ways, especially in sermons and devotional writings. It is appealing because Christians struggle with sin and want to be victorious in that struggle—now. Second-blessing theology offers a quick fix to this struggle, and its shortcut to instant victory appeals to genuine longings for holiness. This book’s thesis is simple: Keswick theology is not biblically sound. This book tells the story of where Keswick theology comes from, explains what exactly it is, and then refutes it while building a case for a biblical alternative. No other book surveys the history and theology of second-blessing theology like this and then analyzes it from a soteriologically Reformed perspective. |
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