Jayna Baas's Reviews > The Normal Christian Life

I don’t know if I can say this book is life-changing, but it is certainly thought-changing and heart-changing, and that is where true life change starts. It’s so deep and yet so readable, the sort of book that makes me repeatedly think, Yes, that’s it exactly! You mean I’m not the only one who thinks things like that? Not all the applications may fit my situation, especially since this was written quite a while ago and outward demonstrations of inward change often look different in varying times and cultures. But the messages are so often exactly what I need. Why is that? In a word, Jesus. This book is absolutely full of truth that points straight back to Jesus, as all truth must. It takes the focus off myself and my own opinions, thoughts, or experiences and puts it squarely on Christ, where it belongs. It reminds me of what I am without Christ and what it means to be in him. If you have ever found yourself wandering in the mire of feelings-based Christianity, read this book (and the Bible, of course, but this book will point you there). If you have ever found yourself wandering in the mire of works-based Christianity or self-based Christianity, read this book.

Nee follows a careful progression based in the book of Romans, beginning with the absolute efficacy of the blood of Christ for our total salvation and the complete satisfaction of a holy God. From there, he explores the biblical purpose of the Law, what it means to walk in the Spirit, and what it truly is to be, wholly and eternally, in Christ. He drives this truth home in ways that we should all know but so easily forget. The normal Christian life (which is not the same as the average Christian life!) is not one of self-effort. It is living in the truth of our death in Christ, burial in Christ, and resurrection in Christ. It is Christ, the life of God in us.

For me, the beauty of this book is in the way it changes my perspective, taking it off my personal feelings and experiences and reminding me that God’s eternal truth trumps anything I may be feeling or experiencing. That perspective applies to everything from my salvation (an unalterable transaction based on God’s work and not on my own spirituality) to my daily life (serving the Lord in “small” things may be exactly the surrender he wants from me) to the eternal plan of God in creation (redemption was an “emergency measure,” not the sum total of God’s plan). I also love Nee’s exposition of Genesis 2, interpreted with Ephesians 6. I had never thought of Genesis 2 as the only picture of Christ’s death for his bride before sin entered the world. All the other Old Testament pictures of Christ’s death include the sin principle, but it’s amazing to me to see this glimpse of God’s heart when he knew we would fall and need redemption.

As usual, this review would not be complete without a few warnings. Some of Nee’s passages on baptism could be interpreted as teaching baptismal regeneration. Taking these passages in context, I don’t believe that’s what he was teaching at all, but some of the wording could come across that way if misapplied. Also, Nee seems to indicate that God never uses a believer’s natural, pre-salvation talents for his own glory and purposes, even after salvation. I understand the point Nee is making, but I don’t necessarily agree with his conclusion, since only the Spirit of God can enable us to use any talent in a way that pleases him. Lastly, I wish it were clearer which Bible translations Nee employs. My copy of this book has very few attributions for the various versions that might be included, and there are a few verses that I can’t identify a version for at all. I’m not sure if (a) the variance in wording is due to the language differences between East and West, (b) Nee misquoted verses in the transcription of his radio series, or (c) he occasionally makes his own paraphrases without warning. (He occasionally makes his own paraphrases with warning; never my favorite authorial choice, but at least I’m aware of it in those cases.) When it comes to the word of God, I don’t want uncertainty. It’s ironic that that’s my primary complaint about a book that otherwise adheres so closely to scriptural truth.

Caveats aside, I highly recommend this conversational, practical, deeply theological book to every Christian. Will your Christianity look exactly like Nee’s? No. But your Christianity will be stronger for this intense look at the work of Christ and believers’ position in him. Every time I read it, I am convicted by how unwilling I am to truly live out that life—and yet comforted by how completely Christ has secured my redemption.