He That Is Spiritual [Paperback]

Lewis Sperry Chafer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 1983

Few books have been more warmly received by Bible teachers and students. He That is Spiritual defines true Christian living and unfolds the biblical teaching concerning spirituality -- what it is, and how it is secured. Nothing could be more important to Christians than the theme of this book. Its sound teaching corrects many false impressions and presents a scriptural pattern for the full life in Christ.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Few books have been more warmly received by Bible teachers and students. He That is Spiritual defines true Christian living and unfolds the biblical teaching concerning spirituality -- what it is, and how it is secured. Nothing could be more important to Christians than the theme of this book. Its sound teaching corrects many false impressions and presents a scriptural pattern for the full life in Christ.

About the Author

As the founder and first president of the Dallas Theological Seminary, the late Dr. Chafer served as Professor of Systematic Theology since its beginning in 1924, and was editor of Bibliotheca Sacra from 1940 to the time of his death in 1952.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 20, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310223415
• ISBN-13: 978-0310223412
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For Every Christian!, September 8, 2000

By 

Brad Doskocil (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: He That Is Spiritual (Paperback)

Dr. Chafer in this brief book exposes the reality of being spiritual. From solid Biblical exposition he affirms that being spiritual or in fellowship with the Lord is an absolute state. While Dr. Chafer's archaic prose is sometimes difficult to navigate through, the book is a diamond in a dung heap. It is one of the best books available for sound spiritual growth and well worth overcoming Dr. Chafer's old prose.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD, BUT DRY, November 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: He That Is Spiritual (Paperback)

Chafer is an excellent theologian, right on target, and well worth reading. However, his writing style is difficult, and to read his books is work. This is not an easy read, but it is a good read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Work Available on the Christian Life, September 25, 2008

By 

William Turner "John 5:24" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: He That Is Spiritual (Paperback)

This book is essentially a work that speaks of liberation and freedom in the Christian Life. It is, without a doubt, one of the best works written on the Christian Life and the provisions given to live it out confidently, with rest and peace, solely in faith and hope in the Spirit who has been given so abundantly to every believer at the moment of conversion.

As a Biblicist, Chafer goes to great lengths to exegete the three essential passages that focus in on how to we should live the Christian Life above reproach. These are Eph. 4:30, 2 Thess. 5:19, and Gal. 5:16. Chafer views the Spirit as being given fully and completely at the moment of faith. All that is needed for life and godliness has already been supplied to every believer. The believer does not need to seek other blessings and works of special graces to live a victorious Christian Life. The key to living the life victoriously is to be daily yielded to the Spirit, and through this, the believer is 'Filled' (controlled) by the Spirit and allows the Spirit (already fully given) to manifest His fruit and the immanence of Christ to others. The 'Filling of the Spirit' is not quantitative by any means; Chafer explains that it is a matter of control, which Eph. 5:18 strongly suggests when it contrasts being 'Filled with the Spirit' by not being drunk, for this is dissipation.

Though Chafer says a few things that resemble Keswickian teaching from time to time, such as needing an event of 'complete surrender' to begin the process of a true willingness for progressive sanctification (pp. 91-94, etc.), Chafer does not allow these views to override his essential emphases. His view of the Mosaic Law being fulfilled in Christ is essentially important for his understanding of the 'Economy of Grace' which the Christian now lives under (Rom. 6:14). Chafer ultimately sees the economy of grace as something that has completely superseded the shadows of the Mosaic economy just as the person of Christ has done with respect to the Law of Moses and everything tied to it (explained in the Book of Hebrews). Christ is the final Word of God and is almost a consummation of His progressive revelation. So, as the NT believer is a part of this development in the progressiveness of revelation, so he/she is now to live just as Christ has lived (1 Jn. 2:5-6). This is altogether 'superhuman' in character in comparison to the OT Law which is external in character and cannot regenerate the person but merely lead them to the final Word of God, the Living Word Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3, Rom. 8, Heb. 1:1-3, etc.).

Thus, to live a superhuman life, known to Chafer as the Christian Life, one must have the appropriate means to achieve this kind of life in a daily manner. God has given this fully and completely to every Redeemed person by way of the Helper, the Holy Spirit. This is why 'Life in the Spirit' is not Law. However, commands are to be obeyed and lived out daily, but this can only be done by way of a continuous yieldedness to the Spirit, and through His filling/control, we are to grow in maturity and in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Chafer's work is liberating in a time saturated with so much biblical ignorance and legalism. He elucidates an utter dependence on God alone to do what we cannot (John 15). We continually let Him work and manifest His life as we are yielded to Him and by this we 'Walk by/in Him'. This is one of the best treatments on the Christian life ever done as it is thoroughly biblical and yet continuously focused on the practical so that we may live victoriously for Him.