Customer Reviews

The Normal Christian Life (Hendrickson Christian Classics)

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Watchman Nee takes the reader through principles taught in the book of Romans. The focus of the book is Jesus Christ and the believer's life in Him. At times Nee seems redundant and repetitive with his message and with his illustrations. But by the end, you thoroughly understand the concepts he presents. This book was an important key to my growth as a Christian. In my opinion, it should be a must read for every person serious about living a God honoring life.

For years I have been searching for the "victorious" Christian Life, always going from one defeat(in one area) to another defeat(in an entirely different area). This book is soooo liberating in showing Christian's, in such a practical way, how it doesn't depend on us and our "self-control", but soli on what Jesus did on the Cross through His Blood and Death. Which, after all these years, of not experiencing the personal side to His blood and death, has finally come home for me through the skillful teaching and story illustrations of Watchman Nee.

But, it doesn't end there, it just begins!

Watchman Nee explains what so many of us long to hear. How not to despair in trials, and failures but to see them as God see's them. They bring us to the end of ourselves, and to a dependence on God. Hallelujah! No more striving.

Two more awesome books are: The Overcoming Life, by Watchman Nee and Hudson Taylor's Spritual Secret

I have strengthened my spiritual relationship as a result of reading this book. First of all, Ni To-sheng, aka Watchman Nee, (1903-1972) was a man of inspiring determination and courage. During his thirty years of ministry, beginning in 1919, Nee travelled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and pastoring in Shanghai. In January of 1956, Nee was brought up on charges by the local authorities in Shanghai. He was imprisoned until 1972 when he was released days before his death in his home province. I am thankful that I live where religious tolerance is practiced. I am also impressed with Mr Nee's example. His book is equally impressive. The book of Romans deals with some difficult theology. At times, I have been unable to explain many of its concepts, particularly, to non-Christians. Watchman Nee is simple and thorough, but never thoroughly simple. He eschews theological discussion in favour of explanations and examples intended to provide new Christians with tools to build a spiritual relationship. This direct approach was in response to his audience, as he explains, "We have learned in China that, when leading a soul to Christ, we must be very thorough, for there is no certainty when he will again have the help of other Christians. We always seek to make it clear to a new believer that, when he has asked the Lord to forgive his sins and to come into his life, his heart has become the residence of a living Person. The Holy Spirit of God is now within him, to open to him the Scriptures that he may find Christ there, to direct his prayer, to govern his life, and to reproduce in him the character of his Lord." In this manner, Mr Nee explains that a spiritual life begins with an objective revelation followed by a subjective experience which is composed of typically, a crisis and an on-going process. From this book, I understood more that the LORD, my GOD, plays a personal role in my life, building a spiritual relationship. If you are interested in Christian Missionary work in China, or in building a stronger spiritual relationship, this book will be interesting to you.

This is the best Christian book I've ever read aside from the Bible. If you only ever buy one book, buy the Bible. But if you only buy two books in your lifetime make the second one "The Normal Christian Life" it will change your life. Take it slowly and pray as you read it; it will revolutionize the way you see yourself, the cross, the blood of Jesus, and your status before God. I've read a lot of Christian books, I don't think any of them come close to this. You will be changed. Pray about it.

Beside the Bible, this book has had the greatest impact on my life of any book I have ever read, and I love to read. It took a long time for me to read this book because I would read a page or two and it would be enough to contemplate for some time - deep, really deep, yet not that difficult to understand.

If you have never read anything by Watchman Nee, you are in for a treat. I would highly recommend all of his books. This is one of those classic books that all Christians should read. Warning: It will challenge you. Depending on your level of spiritual maturity, you may often find yourself questioning if you have ever been saved. Of course, this is certainly a healthy thing to examine every now and then (2 Cor. 13:5).

If you have never read any of Watchman Nee's books before, I would start out with this book, "Sit, Walk, Stand", and "Let Us Pray". These books are certainly full of depth, and they will be good for understanding some of his even deeper writings down the road.

If you are already familiar with Watchman Nee's writings and you haven't read this book, put this on your must-read list right away. You won't regret it.

Avoid the May 29, 2008 Paperback, buy the Mass Market Paperback. A poor edition of a classic book, most of the notes were removed, and some explanations aren't there either, the book has been mutilated.

"The Normal Christian Life", next to the Bible, is one of the most fundamental books for spiritual growth and peace. It will cause an awakened awareness of the love of God, and the true nature of the paths of righteousness for His name sake. It sheds the light of reason with the Word of God on -- SIN -- and the -- SIN NATURE -- and the Work of Jesus Christ in our lives that delivers us from them and all condemnation and bondage to them.

Have you ever heard of Watchman Nee? He was a Chinese national, and the penultimate Christian missionary. He was finally arrested by the Communists when they came to power in China, and he spent the last two decades of his life in a small, barren prison cell. Almost all of his books are transcriptions of his sermons. This one is a series which studies Paul's letter to the "Romans."

First, let me clarify---I am *not* a Christian. Second, let me say that I have read equally non-Christian historians decribe "Romans" as one of the all-time classics of human literature---one of those books that, regardless of your belief, will change you, and broaden your perspective on the life you live. Why? Because it is the most incisive anti-religion treatise you will ever read. What, and this book is in the Bible???

Anyone familiar with my reviews will know that I admire true individuals. Watchman Nee was one of these. Despite the fact that he's a favorite among many Christian believers (even those who tend toward fundamental Christianity), I seriously doubt many of these would agree with some of Nee's most fundamental tenants. He was considered somewhat of a "problem" by other missionaries in China at the time (1920s-1930s). It's no accident that Angus Kinear's biography of Nee is titled "Against The Tide." As a simple example, Nee strongly believed in "the local church." By this, he meant that each individual congregation not only had the right but was *obligated* to establish their own set of doctrinal beliefs. He was solidly anti-institutional religion. He also had a unique view of what consituted human nature (most clearly outlined in "The Spiritual Man" [three volumes]). This view, I believe, was far more consistent with healthy psychology than what most American Christian churches currently preach.

In "The Normal Christian Life," Nee takes on the Apostle Paul at his finest. I'll avoid saying much about the contents, as it's a complicated and detailed study. I'll simply relate one of my favorite chapters. It's Nee's commentary on Paul's exposition on "The Law" of Moses. This actually constitutes several books of the Old Testament, but it can partially be reduced to what most of us know as "The Ten Commandments." Are these rules that we're expected to follow? No, says Nee. The whole point, he says, is this---you can't do this! There is no way that anyone who has ever lived could do it. The person who says they can understands *nothing* about true religion.

Nee uses a very Christian language in his discussion of this issue. If you're not able to "translate" that into your own world view, then Nee is unlikely to do anything for you. If you're a Christian, you *MUST* read this book. If you're *not* a Christian, it would be nice if you could. In any event, this one is a classic.

The Normal Christian Life is a true classic! This book has helped me to finally grasp Paul's presentation of the new life for a new law in Romans.

Nee takes you through Romans ch. 1-8 and deals with who a person is in Christ. If we are not bound by sin and the flesh, then why do we struggle? Have we really been set free? Yes! Nee concludes that many Christians are living in their own strength. Many fail because they will not "take their hands off" and walk in the Spirit. It is in the moment of failure that we did not place our faith in the Son of God. It is in that moment of failure that we were living in our own strength and walking in our own power.

Nee reminds the Christian that he has already been given all that he needs to live a victorious life. We were given the "fruit" of the Spirit, not the "fruits" of the Spirit. We were given one gift! Christ is our love, joy, peace, patience, etc. We need only ask that he be more realized in us. We have been fogiven and we are now free to walk in the Spirit!

I believe Nee's book cries out to Christians in America to identify with Christ and the new law of love. It has been my experience that most Christians living in America only give lip service to this "new life" and are still living by the old law in the old man. We can live exactly like Christ... because we've been given his very life!

I pray that you will learn from Nee what Paul meant when he said, "The life I live in the body I live by the faith of the Son of God."
I pray this book makes it on to your shelf with pen and highlighted markings galore.

After you have read "The Normal Christian Life"... I suggest reading The Release of the Spirit by Nee.

Further Recommended Reading:
Christ the Sum of All Spiritual Things
The Centrality of Jesus Christ (Works of T. Austin-Sparks) Volume One
Christ the Center (Harper's Ministers Paperback Library)