Customer Reviews

How People Change (VantagePoint Books)

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When the subject of how people change is brought up among Christians, so often all that is said is simply "trusting God" or just "giving" something to God. But in real life, why is it never that easy?

This book is about the truths of the Gospel bearing down on daily life. If you want to see the deep connection between your daily life & how change, rooted in the gospel, takes place, then this book is for you.

If you are a pastor, youth minister, Sunday School teacher, elder, or teach the Bible in any way, you have to get this book. So often pastors & teachers will simply tell people what to do & what not to do (only focusing on making direct calls to the will), while completely ignoring what is going on in the heart. This book will help you see yourself & others in a new way that is centered in the gospel.

It's the unspoken elephant in the room: why aren't professing Christians, by and large, any different than non-Christians? We often struggle and fail at the same sins, have the same divorce rates, and generally don't stand out as being more kind or loving than devoted moral adherants of other religions--- despite our theology that we have been "born again." Ask many, including pastors, the question, and the reply often comes down to some variant of "they aren't trying hard enough" or "they aren't really saved after all."

But the question behind the question is "So, how do people really change--- how does a person who has become a child of God actually become radically more loving, more peaceful, more self-controlled, in a way that isn't mere psychology and that can't be explained or experienced by a non-Christian?"

Few people can give a robust, Biblical, detailed explanation to this fundamental question. Timothy Lane & Paul Tripp can, and do, in this wonderful book. They give us a truly Biblical & congruent theology of how people change, and show us a path to meaningful personal change in our own lives.

The first five chapters lay a foundation for what real Biblical life change is and isn't-- they talk about how easy it is to substitute external change like formalism and activism for true change of the heart. They lay out the crucial understanding of our marriage to Christ, and how God designed real change to take place in the context of community. There is a lot of rich thought provoking truth on every page of these foundation chapters.

Next, they move onto their central Biblical picture of how God has designed change: that of the tree. They explain chapter by chapter that the "heat" of living in a fallen world brings out fallen human responses of sin and evil "thorns." But as we turn to the cross of Christ and His presence we gain the ability to bear beautiful fruit, new supernatural responses to the same "heat" that before would only produce thorns.

True "fruit" only comes from the nourishment that God provides, and we need to be able to recognize the thorns and the fallen nature behind them to be able to choose Christ instead. This book is a wonderful Biblical mirror to hold in front of your soul, to be able to see yourself, the good and the bad, and see the work of God within. Highly recommended.

I have literally done dozens of Bible studies in small groups, and this one is over and above The Best. It's nothing inherently new, but the way the authors organize the study and theologically lay out the material, as well as their use of the Scriptures as foundational to illustrate the truth, has been nothing short of life changing for our little group of 40 something Christians. We have learned so much about each other that we never knew, so much about ourselves, and perhaps most exciting, have actually CHANGED in response to seeing exactly what a Gospel-centered life means TODAY, and how living in true community with other Christians is a basis for life change. The Gospel is relevant again, whaddya know! Not just when I got saved, or in eternity, but Today. I recommend it to everyone. Our church had the authors out for a seminar and they were humbly inspiring. Authentic Christianity at its best.

This is an excellent book on how change happens in a Christian's life. Convinced that many people are filling the void in their lives (what the authors call "the gospel gap") with things that are NOT the gospel, though they may be good (e.g. bible study, activities, experiences, etc.) the authors seek to drive home the power of the gospel itself to bring about genuine, lasting change in our lives. They talk about HEAT (the trials and testings that come our way0, THORNS (the negative responses we show under pressure), FRUIT (genuine evidence of gospel-centered change in our lives), and CROSS (the root of all true change). Their prose is smooth and easy to read, their stories are interesting and true to live, their theology is biblical and immensely practical, and the effect in my own life was increased wisdom, fresh passion, and strengthend hope. This is a REALLY good book that I plan to give away to others.

"If I'm really a Christian, why do I struggle so much?" "How come I can't seem to change?" If you've ever struggled with those kinds of questions, this book is for you. Many people come to faith in Christ, but never learn how the Gospel can be applied to their hearts to change their patterns of sin and struggle. How People Change, by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp is designed to address that problem.

The authors write: "Often there is a vast gap in our grasp of the gospel. It subverts our identity as Christians and our understanding of the present work of God. This gap undermines every relationship in our lives, every decision we make, and every attempt to minister to others. Yet we live blindly, as if the hole were not there." (pp. 2).

The authors, both counselors and theologians, spend the rest of the book laying out a description of the way real change can occur in a believer's life. They use stories of real people (with the names changed) and show how this process of change looks as it is occurring. Their tone is hopeful, yet realistic and their method is gospel and grace-centered, rather than legalistic. They also do a great job of balancing the "big picture" with specific instructions and helpful diagrams. Overall, after reading this book, I was encouraged by the many reminders of how God provides the power and method for real change in our lives!

"The gospel calls us to look at the messiness of life in a radically different way. The good news of the gospel is that Christ has conquered sin and death, and with them every meaningless and destructive end. Our final destination infuses every word, action, desire, and response with meaning and purpose. There are no completely hopeless situations. The gospel welcomes us to a hopeful realism. We can look life in the face and still be hopeful because of who Christ is and where he is taking us. Everything God has brought into your life has been brought with your destination in view. God is moving you on, even when you think you are stuck." (pp. 52).

After showing how sin works, how our responses to situations reveal our hearts, and how the cross addresses these issues, and how genuine spiritual fruit is produced, the next to last chapter tells a story of how one couple's story was changed by the gospel story! It shows what their story was, what their problems were, the consequences they faced from their sin, and how the grace of God changed and healed them. And then the last chapter shows how an entire church was changed as the leaders of the church decided to renew their vision for a gospel-centered focus in all their ministries. Their story is the story for every church, and it has great reminders for us! If you want to change or to help others change, this is a must have and must read book for you! I will let the authors have the last word for this review:

"Our desire is to see individual Christians and entire churches participate in a groundswell of gospel celebration--a celebration of the amazing grace available to us in Christ. Father, Son, and Spirit are at work to make the church a radiant bride, purified and glorious, ready for his appearing. This vision pulls us upward, beyond our personal happiness, so that we might enjoy his blessings and offer them to others. Our hope and prayer is that this book will help you grow in grace as an individual within a community of faith. May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18)." (pp. 252-253).

How People Change is one of the best books I've read this year.

Tripp and Lane believe that the biggest area lacking in Christian counseling today is the gospel. They call this problem the "gospel gap." Too many Christians see the gospel as affecting their past (forgiveness) and their future (hope), but do not understand the practical ways in which the gospel should be brought to bear on their present choices. How People Change seeks to correct "the gospel gap" by providing biblical teaching and and practical instruction.

The opening chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Tripp and Lane believe that our temptation is to seek fullness and fulfillment in something or someone other than Christ. To counter this idolatry, they encourage us to apply the grace of Christ to the everyday details of our lives, not merely the big problems that we face. The rest of the book spells this theme out more clearly - how to apply grace to everyday life.

How People Change avoids moralism. It centers the gospel message, not in abstract terms, but in the story of redemption. Tripp and Lane are big on seeing the gospel within the framework of the biblical Story. They write about the Christian's past and the Christian's future in order to shine light on the Christian's life in the present. Our destination informs our journey.

There are a couple of places where I believe the theological language could be a little more refined. In describing Jesus' crucifixion, the authors write: "The triune God was torn asunder so that we might be united to him and to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ." (69) They interpret Jesus' words on the cross this way: "Why have we been ripped asunder?" I understand the loss of covenant fellowship between Father and Son at the cross. Yet, I am not comfortable with the language that the "perfect unity" that existed between the Trinity being demolished, if even for a time. Do not most theologians see all three members of the Trinity as united in the task of redemption? The authors' description lends itself to the idea that God could somehow be split in his essence and is not careful enough for me.

Another weakness is in the chapter: "Married to Christ." The authors choose to describe individual Christians as being married to Jesus (betrothed is the word they use). But they bypass the church in this chapter. Instead of seeing our marriage to Christ as taking place within the fuller community of faith, they skip the church and talk about the individual being married to Christ. To their credit, by the end of the chapter, they switch the emphasis. In the next chapter, they turn to the community of faith and spend a good amount of time on sanctification within the body of Christ. The rest of the book maintains the right emphasis upon the individual within the context of covenant community. Perhaps that is why the marriage chapter seems out of place. Nowhere does the Bible speak of the individual as being the bride of Christ.

The second half of the book focuses on Heat, Thorns, Cross, and Fruit.

Heat represents the circumstances of life that are beyond our control.
Thorns represent those areas of sin that we are easily entangled in.
The Cross represents the resources that Christ gives us in our sanctification.
Fruit represents the outworking our growth in holiness in tangible ways.
I like the way the authors make their case. One of the secondary themes that runs throughout this book is a primary emphasis in the book I am writing for Crossway: we take good things and make them ultimate things. We engage in idolatry whenever take something out of its proper sphere and put it in a place of worship.

How People Change rightly roots our problem in idolatry, not in our lack of self-esteem. We are idolaters at heart. Therefore, the issues must be dealt with at the heart-level.

The authors state their vision for this book:

"Our desire is to see individual Christians and entire churches participate in a ground swell of gospel celebration - a celebration of the amazing grace available to us in Christ."

I believe How People Change is a book that can help churches move in the direction of fulfilling this vision. It is relentlessly biblical, immensely practical, and pastorally helpful. I highly recommend it.

Modern counseling typically tries to give the counselee "tools" to help them either get through or stave off the "heat" of a problem. These "tools" are usually nothing more than new habits that usually last only a short time. Instead of addressing the fruits of our actions, this book gets to the heart, the root--where real change can take place. We must first see who we are apart from Christ, and then see who we are in Christ. As the comfort and the call of the Gospel begins to shape our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will find what is at the root of our sinful behavior. This book is clearly written and extremely helpful for those who are ready to deal with their sin and long for a life that truly glorifies God.

Written by Christian counselors and faculty Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp, How People Change discusses the biblical pattern of change that any Christian can apply to the challenges of his or her daily life. Encompassing the principle that change comes not only from within, but also with the guidance of God helping the individual become what he or she was created to be, How People Change is embraces the qualities of love and redemption. "Without an awareness of Christ's presence, we tend to live anxiously. We avoid hard things and are easily overwhelmed. But a clear sense of identity and provision gives us hope and courage to face the struggles and temptations that come our way." A profound self-help guide grounded firmly in Christian faith.

I'm a Christian and have been in psychotherapy for nearly a dozen years. I've bought an untold number of self-help books (both secular and Christian). I've had spurts of changed behavior, but they never lasted. I'm hopeful that this book is different from all the rest...

"How People Change" is written by two Christian counselors/pastors. They start out by telling us that if we focus on the externals (our behaviors) any change will be short-lived. They emphasize that everyone goes through "heat" (trials, temptations, etc.) and we shouldn't be surprised when we go through heat. God sure isn't surprised.

This "heat" can result in our either producing thorns or fruit, depending upon what's inside of us. They're very big at talking about the heart (the internals) versus the behaviors. (Matt. 15:18 -> "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.") Of course, they also spend a good deal of time quoting Scripture to remind the reader that Jesus came to redeem the heart and to make us entirely new creatures. So the upshot is to depend on Him for our heart surgery, and as the heart is transformed we'll see fruit develop instead of thorns whenever heat is applied.

It's pretty early to say (I've only been reading it a week), but it seems as though it's starting to have an effect on me already! (Details intentionally omitted to spare myself embarrassment.) I will doubtless read it a second time as soon as I'm done, and I virtually *never* read the same book twice. Lasting change must come at the heart level, and this book presents things in such a way that allow you to actually implement that process.

This text really gets to the "heart" of the issue. It helps the reader see how "real" change must take place in the heart.