Noted Chinese pastor/writer Watchman Nee presents his insights on the nature of spiritual reality in the interest of helping believers discriminate between mere appearance and the real.
Spiritual Reality or Obsession
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Arrow Straight to the Heart of Our Christian Religion,
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This review is from: Spiritual Reality or Obsession: (Paperback)
Watchman Nee had the gift, the insight, the understanding to put his finger right on the central matters of our relationship to God and to our neighbors. He does this without limiting himself with denominational distinctives. His books are short and pithy. His ministry and martyrdom are a powerful witness to his deep understanding and total commitment to life in the Lord. He is a writer we need to take seriously."Spiritual Reality or Obsession" is a small book of only 64 pages, with no fluff, no fillers. Nee's message here has two dimensions. First, and most basic, is that the Bible shows us "spiritual reality." There are spiritual realities described in the words of the Bible. But these realities often cannot be expressed accurately in human language. So we must seek and see the realities the words represent. Jesus' parables are clear examples of spiritual realities being represented by language which does not literally describe the underlying reality. For instance Jesus explained to his disciples (indeed, he has to explain) the spiritual reality underlying the parable of the sower. I mention this to remind myself that Nee is not floating away in a world of undefinable allegories. Here is one example of Nee's insight. "As to how the blood of the Lord Jesus cleanses our conscience, this problem can never be resolved in the physical realm. Can we ever imagine a person at the time of the crucifixion sprinkling the blood of the Lord Jesus upon his body, thus getting his conscience cleansed? . . . When the Holy Spirit cleanses our conscience with the blood he is using the spiritual reality of that blood, not its physical properties." While that example may appear obvious, other examples are less obvious, but equally valid. One difficulty confronted me in this little book. I use the word "Obsession" differently than Watchman Nee uses it. To him, obsession means "self-deception." This is Nee's second theme: exposing and ridding ourselves of self-deception. Physically, the book is small enough to travel in your pockets; and after you have read it once, you may browse in it again and again.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
authentic vs. hard-headed,
By Jesse "Jessica Lowery" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Spiritual Reality or Obsession: (Paperback)
This is a short, 5-chapter, 64 page book about having what Nee calls, "Spiritual Reality" The first 3 chapters discuss spiritual reality, and basically make the point that fakery is no good when it comes to spiritual matters. I think that the material here is extremely helpful, especially for someone who believes themself to saved yet don't show signs of the Spirit or people who share and pray at meetings and seem to give off a fakey or unedifying vibe. He makes the point that the BOC and a relationship with God are about more than mere external forms - they are about "spirit and truth" (Jn 4). He also makes the point that some of the sweetest-seeming Christians are actually being too shallow in their relationships, because as he puts it: "It is a fact that sometimes it is more valuable to reprove than to shake hands. Though we may maintain a gentle appearance which causes people to praise us, there is no spiritual value before God." (p.28)In this section he also discusses how to develop spiritual discernment, serving others privately (without recognition), and coming to church filled up by what God supplies so as to share that with others. He speaks to the question, How can I get in touch with spiritual reality? by saying that we must be disciplined and taught by the Holy Spirit. In turning to God in our distress and discipline, the Lord will enlarge our enjoyment and appreciation of Him. And he states that this "enlargment" (or growth) will endow us with spiritual riches to share with others. But that many people forfeit their chance to be enlarged by becomming overwhelmed by distress and murmuring against God. The last 2 chapters talk about "Spiritual Obsession" - which could also more bluntly be described as being a self-deceived and unteachable stubborn Christian. Nee describes, "He does not see the true character of a thing; yet considers himself clear. What he thinks and does is wrong, but he reckons himself to be most right. Such a condition we call 'obsession.' The obsessed person needs the light of God; otherwise he will not be able to come out of his obsession; obsession is self-deception...he who deceives people is a liar; he who deceives himself is obsessed...Obsession is a matter of the heart. When the obsessed does something wrong, his heart insists that he is right." This section is very similar to the chapter called "Be Not Subjective" in the Normal Christian Worker. He talks about how to be freed from obsession by saying that Christians need to not "love the darkness (Jn3)", but rather walk in the light. Also, Nee blames pride as a main reason for "obsession", and refusing to receive love. (p.58-60) His answers to this problem then, are light, humility, and acceptance of love (or a lack of self-protection). I'd really recommend this little book. I think it's awesome.
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